I have a 1997 F-250 crew cab powerstroke that is 4X4. I am having a terrible time gettting the front end to line up and quit sagging. It is the twin I beam suspension and it seems looks lower than it should. I have had new bearings put across the front, but it still sags. I have new tires and it looks like it is going to cup the inside of the tire. I have only put 500 miles on these tires and have parked the truck for now until I can figure out what the problem is. I have a 2" lift that is blocks on the front and the back. My mechanic told me that the blocks are illegal in the front, and that the way they are set up is causing some of the sagging. The blocks are located under the springs and he said they are causing the springs to compress a little and making the tires have a slight camber to them. Has anyone had this problem or know how to fix it? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

First off.. WELCOME TO FTE!!!!! you will find a wealth of knowledge here but watch out b/c we aren't always too easy on your wallet. haha. i'm hoping that coonhunterjoe will chime in on this subject b/c he knows his stuff on this front end..

to my understanding those blocks probably are causing the tires to lean like that. when you lift the front of the TTB trucks you have to have the drop pivot bracket for the pivots of the axle and everything. not just blocks. start by taking your blocks off so you just have stock suspension and look at it then. if you want it lifted look at some of the actual suspension lifts that come with all the needed brackets to do it correctly.

 

And remember...A Dana 60 Monobeam will bolt in using a donor F-350 for all the parts. Problem solved!

 

Blocks on the front of any TTB setup is bad.
Blocks on the front of any road truck is bad.

The blocks on the TTB change how the springs effect the tires.
I'm not 100% on those things, but the sagging problem effects the camber on your tires.
Those springs have to twist unlike the f150 setup which uses coils.
So, the blocks in effect are putting more twist on the springs, or transferring the twist from the sag to the tire.
You should go find a leveling kit for your truck and install that.
It will be 2 springs. Make sure they are for an f250, The springs are beefier then a 350's.

Travis, the standard sag on these dudes can be up to 2 inches sometimes.
So really he just trying to fix a problem with blocks when he needs to get the correct spring replacements to fix it all.
With 2 inches, he shouldn't have to drop the center brackets.
Add a leaf systems will give you about that on standard springs.
Which is probably all that he will need. (standard with add a leaf)

The most important thing, and expensive part, about TTB front suspensions.
If you do ANY work at all on these setups, you need to immediately go and get a front end alignment.
Don't "half ***" it and say "oh that was done, you shouldn't need to....."
No, everything is going to be off after any ttb repair. if the caster and camber are aligned properly on a TTB then everything will be fine.

you can have a great caster and camber on a TTB and bad bushings, or weak springs. it will all show in the tires.

Cupping on the inside is probably from bad alignment and to much air in your tires buddy.
So, go get some good springs for that ride, and go get an alignment.
Get them blocks out of there, they are dangerous.

 

Remove those blocks Immediately and get the front end back together correctly.
There are front end leveling kits that can be bought pretty cheap. They consist of an add a leaf.
If you want to retain some lift you need to consider a new lift kit that is a legal one.

 

also check for wear in the center pivot bushings. that will cause the tires to "sag". i doubt the blocks are causing the issue. remove the blocks and get an add a leaf, or a new pair of spring packs up front. a dana 60 swap (with f-350 front springs) will be your best upgrade and it will lift the front end up a little bit and sit almost perfect with the blocks you have in the back (if they're 4" blocks in back, that's stock for an f-350)

 

not all the d60 front spring sizes are the same.
blocks change how the spring's rotate to the beam, it makes them a bad idea IMO. Could cause more stress on the springs.

 

And just to scare you, and others so that it doesn't happen to any of my brothers (You all) I know a boy, thought he knew it all, had blocks on the front of his Chevy, (Solid Front Axle) which was jacked up high. Anyway, cause of those blocks, his front end came out kind of twisted up towards the front, making the front in come to the ground, making him bounce his head off the steering wheel, giving him a cuncusion. So point is, please get them out from under your front end, so you don't hurt yourself or others. Don't want nothin bad to happen to ya. Welcome to FTE, these guys know it all (Literally, there that smart)

 

the ideal situation for your front axle beams is to be sitting level. odds are you need new pivot bushings and front spring hanger bushings. also the spring bushings are probably shot as well with the age of the truck. i would bet your springs are sagging too but an add a leaf kit is only about a hundred bucks.
check the bushings and replace if neccesarry and get a mechanic that actually knwos how to set up front ends to line the truck up. that is the key- a real mechanic, not a parts changer. they are really hard to find nowadays

i'm not going to start the arguement on blocks right now but for your purpose they are not helping so in your situation they need to be removed and the truck's front end repaired properly.

 

Thanks so much guys fir the help. I will start by taking out the blocks and checking the bushings, and also getting a new kit for the front end. If anyone has other ideas also I would love to hear them. Thanks again!

 

Buy us all a leveling kit? =)

haha.

 

I guess christmas is coming up pretty soon! Keep an eye on your stockings this year. LoL

 

thats funny man.

Stick around! you'll have lots of fun with the rest of us.
Were not all uptight around here.

 

I want in on this christmas gift exchange. Give me front 4X4 components so I can make my truck 4 wheel drive, I will gladly give up *Looks around* Who wants the GF?

 

I'll get you the components for BOTH of your girlfriends.
You man*****.