When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Ok guys-I'm gonna be doing ball joints soon on both the 2WD F250 and the 4WD Excursion. I've seen talk about adjustable caster/camber kits for these and wanted to install them while I'm in there to save labor costs on the alignment.
What's everybody using? I've seen Mevotech and Moog kits, but can't seem to sort out what part numbers for what applications-my Google-foo is not working well today.
JL
I went with the Moog shims and have been happy with them. I would assume that any camber/caster shim would be adequate as they as non wearing parts. They just position your knuckle in a more optimum position for alignment issues.
Johnny, are you adding 2" spacers to the front of your truck? Or are you just wanting more adjustability for alignment purposes?
Stewart
Just adjustability for getting the alignment perfect.
I'm picky about the way my vehicles drive and I'm a tire wear ****.
Besides, the Excursion drives like crap right now wandering all over the road. It needs shocks and at least one balljoint, so it's gonna get the whole kit at the same time.
JL
Just adjustability for getting the alignment perfect.
I'm picky about the way my vehicles drive and I'm a tire wear ****.
Gotcha.
I was asking about the spacers because I was gonna let you know if you were adding them, you would probably have to grind the knuckle.
Besides, the Excursion drives like crap right now wandering all over the road. It needs shocks and at least one balljoint, so it's gonna get the whole kit at the same time.
JL
Oh yeah, I've read Joe's ramblings alot.....he's saved me alot of work.
I'll be getting an RAS later after the balljoint/Bilstein install. Also might get a Hellwig for it. It all depends on how it drives after I get the rest done.
JL
Oh yeah, I've read Joe's ramblings alot.....he's saved me alot of work.
I'll be getting an RAS later after the balljoint/Bilstein install. Also might get a Hellwig for it. It all depends on how it drives after I get the rest done.
JL
LOL, yeah, when I put that thread together and I searched for all those threads, it was easy to locate some of them because of Joe's posts!
I'm sure you can get all that stuff but you shouldn't need anything if it is stock height and all the parts are in good shape. I put new BJs in mine and it all came into place. No tire wear, wander, etc.
The issue is more correcting the factory caster angle that Ford deemed adequate for the Ex. The range of acceptable degrees of caster is huge, from 0.5 degree to 5.5 degrees. Mine was sitting at 1.5 which made highway driving a constant exercise of correcting the steering wheel. After the shims were installed, it brought my caster angle to 3.5-4.0.
For those that happened to get a truck with a higher degree of caster from the factory, then you won't understand the importance of this mod. For those of us that have needed and done the shim fix, the difference is night and day.
The issue is more correcting the factory caster angle that Ford deemed adequate for the Ex. The range of acceptable degrees of caster is huge, from 0.5 degree to 5.5 degrees. Mine was sitting at 1.5 which made highway driving a constant exercise of correcting the steering wheel. After the shims were installed, it brought my caster angle to 3.5-4.0.
For those that happened to get a truck with a higher degree of caster from the factory, then you won't understand the importance of this mod. For those of us that have needed and done the shim fix, the difference is night and day.
The issue is more correcting the factory caster angle that Ford deemed adequate for the Ex. The range of acceptable degrees of caster is huge, from 0.5 degree to 5.5 degrees. Mine was sitting at 1.5 which made highway driving a constant exercise of correcting the steering wheel. After the shims were installed, it brought my caster angle to 3.5-4.0.
For those that happened to get a truck with a higher degree of caster from the factory, then you won't understand the importance of this mod. For those of us that have needed and done the shim fix, the difference is night and day.
But didn't you change some other parts at the same time also. ........I don't believe in the adjusters, I think it is just something to sell. It should track good at 1.5 degrees.
But didn't you change some other parts at the same time also. ........I don't believe in the adjusters, I think it is just something to sell. It should track good at 1.5 degrees.
Since you are a "former mechanic with car and motorcycle drag racing background", then you'll understand it from this angle...
When I'm done with all of my parts replacements-shocks, ball joints, etc, and go in for an alignment that's gonna cost me $50-$90-I'm not gonna have the hassle and expense the labor charge involved in changing the OEM bushings to meet the alignment specs that I want for the vehicle to track straight. With the adjustable pieces ALREADY installed, I avoid labor charges for work I could have done myself when I had it apart. This saves time. Time is money, and labor is expensive-even moreso when you could have changed the parts yourself when you had it apart.
JL
[/SIZE]