Alignment
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but my 2000 4x4 F250 with brand new tires (265's) also wanders. Had it aligned, and no improvement. The truck has what appears to be new ball joints and some new tie-rods. The alignment guy said to give it some time, new ball joints will cause it till they are worn in a little. Sounds a little fishy, but he has a good rep, and has been doing alignments for years. I am a little skeptical though. Waiting to see where this thread goes...
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,406
Likes: 2,895
From: Reed Point, MT
Wandering can be the result of not enough positive caster or negative toe (toe out).
I have been adjusting the steering sector shaft freeplay on every Super Duty that comes in here because they ALWAYS "wander" because of excessive backlash that results in a lot of steering wheel input to make the truck "move".
Many times I actually end up with 1-1.5 turns of the adjustment screw just to take up the lash.
I have been adjusting the steering sector shaft freeplay on every Super Duty that comes in here because they ALWAYS "wander" because of excessive backlash that results in a lot of steering wheel input to make the truck "move".
Many times I actually end up with 1-1.5 turns of the adjustment screw just to take up the lash.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: bridgeport ca
Here is how it ended up Cody,
left frt
0.6 camber
3.4 caster
0.08 toe
right frt
0.4 caster
4.2 camber
0.01 toe
cross camber 0.2
cross caster -0.8
total toe 0.08
I know it's not to your recomendations exactly but It doesn't drift to the right now and the wandering is alot better, I guess I will have to waite and see how they wear now. There is always someone with a shoulder to whine on here with years of experience to assist us down the path.
Thanks again for the advise folks!!
left frt
0.6 camber
3.4 caster
0.08 toe
right frt
0.4 caster
4.2 camber
0.01 toe
cross camber 0.2
cross caster -0.8
total toe 0.08
I know it's not to your recomendations exactly but It doesn't drift to the right now and the wandering is alot better, I guess I will have to waite and see how they wear now. There is always someone with a shoulder to whine on here with years of experience to assist us down the path.
Thanks again for the advise folks!!
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Prosper, TX
Not sure what the lower ball joints are but I had a guy look at the truck before I bought it. He lifted the truck off the ground and used a big pry bar on the wheel and somewhere else on the axel and he said it was fine. I am assuming those where the ball joints. I do have a pitman arm grease boot that is ripped.
How far do you know to turn the stering box screw. I have heard that if you do it to far that it can screw it up.
How far do you know to turn the stering box screw. I have heard that if you do it to far that it can screw it up.
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,406
Likes: 2,895
From: Reed Point, MT
If you go too far, the steering will bind while turning and affect the automatic "return-to-center" action you get after making a turn. It can also wear the sector shaft bushings excessively if the lash is taken up too much and a bind is created.
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,406
Likes: 2,895
From: Reed Point, MT
I certainly wouldn't say that I'm "above average".
I can say with absolute certainty that if you have a truck with the stock steering box and at least 80,000 miles, you should be able to turn the screw 1/2 to 3/4 turn.
I can say with absolute certainty that if you have a truck with the stock steering box and at least 80,000 miles, you should be able to turn the screw 1/2 to 3/4 turn.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 506
Likes: 5
From: South Florida
Cody,
I have a 03 7.3L PSD 4X2 with the standard 265x75x16 tires. Where should I have my caster/camber, toe setting at? thxs
I have a 03 7.3L PSD 4X2 with the standard 265x75x16 tires. Where should I have my caster/camber, toe setting at? thxs
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Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,406
Likes: 2,895
From: Reed Point, MT
Specs for camber are -0.75 to +1.25 "perfect" is +0.25
Specs for caster are +1.5 to +5.5 "perfect" is +3.5
Specs for toe are -0.220 to +0.280 "perfect" is +.03
Have the camber put at +.5
Left caster at +3.5, right caster at +4.0
Toe at +.07 to 1.0
Specs for caster are +1.5 to +5.5 "perfect" is +3.5
Specs for toe are -0.220 to +0.280 "perfect" is +.03
Have the camber put at +.5
Left caster at +3.5, right caster at +4.0
Toe at +.07 to 1.0
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Canton, Georgia
When adjusting for "road crown", one must remember that the roads in the south have very little road crown & the left & right camber & caster measurements on these southern vehicles usually mirror themselves. Trucks aligned with northern road crown style alignments tend to lead to the left when driven on southern roads. An experienced alignment shop in your area should know what is needed for your road conditions.
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