1989 F150 2WD 5.0 5 spd. 200k miles

Does anyone know what the factory specs. are for how close the right side caster/camber adjustments should be when compared to the left side ? Or asked another way, how much can they vary ?

I watched from a distance as the technician did the alignment on my truck. He was using a Hunter alignment rack. His screen was showing two colors: 'green' for when the adjustment was within an acceptable range and 'red' for when the adjustment was out of specifications. I was too far away to read the numbers, but I could see that there was an ideal (bull's eye) adjustment and then a green range on either side of that spot. He didn't hit the bull's eye on either side. Each time that he would turn the adjustment, the readings would go all over the place. He finally settled for two different adjustments (both inside the green areas). There must be a specification for how far apart these readings can be. That's what I'm looking for.

My truck steers straight and tracks well, but the steering wheel doesn't spin back to the straight ahead position after making either a left or right hand turn.....almost like there is not enough positive caster ????

I'm not complaining at all. Just curious. I bought my truck new in April of 1989 and it still runs like a top. Wouldn't trade it for the world. Still have the original fuel injectors and the valve covers/oil pan have never been removed. It's been a great truck.

Thanks.

 

Caster and camber are really not that adjustable on these trucks without a lot of work. Chances are that the tech just adjusted the toe-in. There are specs for each of the alignment measurements and they might be on your bill, or you can ask the tech to print you the numbers so you can see where your truck is.

Caster can obviously impact the steering return to center but I doubt it's the cause. Did you adjust the steering gearbox? Overtightening it will cause that.