Hey guys I have a 93 XLT 5.8 that seems to wander mostly to the left side. I looked at my tires the other day and also noticed that my left front tire (driver side) is wearing around the outside edges of the tire. The right front tire (passenger side)seams to be just fine. How do I tell if I have a bent tie rod or if the front just needs to be aligned? I am also in need of new tires. Should I have the front end aligned after the new tires are put on or does it matter? Any other ideas? This is a great board!!!!!

Greg

 

Jack up your front end and, with the steering wheel locked, wiggle both your left wheel & tire and your right while observing the tie rod ends. If there is excessive play in either, they'll need to be replaced. If either is bent, or if the steering linkage is bent, you should be able to see it. Otherwise, it's probably a matter of alignment (the alignment shop should be able to catch a bent or excessively worn part, anyway). I would have the new set of tires installed first, and then have your truck aligned at the same time or immediately afterwards. Most, if not all, alignment shops recommend having a vehicle aligned with the regularly-used tires on it.

 

I am the alignment Tech at a local shop I work at and like what has already been said in the last reply, you jack up the front of the truck and check the side to side movement of the tire. If it seems to have a lot of play, have someone else move the tire while you look at the tie rod end. Remember that the joint will move. Also, check if there is any similar movement throughout the steering (Pitman Arms, etc.). While you have the ft jacked up, put your hands a 12 and 6 o'clock and check the up and down movement. This checks the ball-joints. If it moves the you have to check the joint of that. Sometimes the movement could be a bearing so keep that in mind. The only way to check camber is to have the vehicle aligned, to be acurate (your eyes doesn't always work) on Fords they have to replace a bushing to correct a camber problem. Most likely it is a toe problem (caused by off-roading, potholes, etc.)

Bect thing would be to take it to a shop and have them check it out.

Hope this helps.

 

 

I had the same problem on my '94 EB, but it wandered to the right. After looking at some talk on this board, I checked the ball joints and tie-rods, and found that the passenger side ball joints were bad, as well as all the front end bushings. I replaced all the front end bushings with Energy Suspension bushings (about $100 in parts), and then replaced the passenger side ball joints (about $50 in parts). Replacing these made a noticeable difference, but didn't totally cure the problem.

I did all the work myself, then took my Bronco to the shop and had an alignment and camber adjustment done. Now my Bronco drives like new.

Aaron D.
'94 EB Bronco, 5.8 litre