Yes, there is a preferred way to install the cam bolts and I believe that it is from the outside, with the threads directed inward. I had them flipped around and had changed them. The dude who did my alignment said it is not that big of a deal, but having them in the right direction makes the adjusting easier for the mechanic.

 

Greencrew,

I have to agree with JMC here. I believe firmly that my tires were wearing evenly, UNTIL the stealership messed up the alignment some months ago.

I plan on writing a letter to my dealer and to FoMoCo to complain. I don't know what will happen (if anything), but I plan on making them pay for all the additional costs and frustration this has caused me.

I don't believe that the wind is effecting the uneven wear of tires on your rig, or mine.

Jag

 

Well,

Starting to have problems again.

Help!

Jag

Click here for the latest updates

 

It could very well be the tires causing the problem. If the camber was off it will cause the tires to wear like a wedge. They will no longer sit perpindicular to the road surface. When you turn the wheels left or right the wedge shape causes the tire to grab depending on which way the tire is wedged and this can lead to pulling to one side. Steering geometry is dependant on the tires being even. deflate one tire to 15 lbs less than the other side and go for a drive. You will undersrand. Regardless of the out come of the alignment problem you will need to inspect your tires with a depth guage to see if they are evenly worn. Now about the alignment. All the steering componants have to be inspected. If a ball joint is loose it may not be loose enough to show up during inspection but it will show up when you drive the truck. So have the tech check everything from the steering wheel all the way out to the wheels. You may have a pitman arm loose or a tie rod or a ball joint or even the A arm bushing.

JMC

 

Hi JMC,

Thanks for the heads up. I had the place check everything out and apparently, the whole front end is OK.

I called another place today and explained what happened. He said it definitely sounds like an alignment problem. The two front tires were rotated to the back. Each one of these tires are evenly worn, (14/32 left on them).

Yet the steering wheel is off center and ****ed to the right.

I am taking it to another NTB. I told the guy at the other shop what happened last night. He said he has had complaints about that shop before and to complain to the regional office. He gave me the phone number to call so I did but all I got was a voicemail box?

Anyhow, I still think the alignment is off. I was told the the specs are so wide with our trucks, as long as they see green on the hunter machine, they will tell you its within spec.

Don't you think if he set the toe to much on one side if would make the steering wheel crooked?

Jag

 

Jag,

Check out this site; http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm

Scroll down and click on steering center.
That section will explain what your shop should be doing to fix the cöcked wheel.

JMC

 

JAG,

I just thought of a question while I reading the link I posted. I like to refresh every so often, Did the shop use the specs for a 4x4? There are 3 sets of specs. 4x2, 4x4 and lightning. Just thought i would ask.

JMC

 

JMC,

Thanks for the link. Maybe I should get into doing front end alignments myself... LOL

As for the specs, they used the 4x4 ones.... Although the specs call for 98-01?

Guess nothing has changed in the front ends of these trucks since then?

Jag

 

Here's something else to keep in mind..Idler arm!! I just installed my lift kit so naturally would want to take it to get the front end aligned. Took it to a 4 wheel parts whosalers store (we have one here and very recommeded) and found out the arm was bad with 22,000 miles. I never noticed...until I drove it with the new one...WOW. Guy told me that 1 out of every 3 Ford's they align needs one regardless of mileage. I don't think they were trying to shaft me because they charged me exactly what they paid for the part from Ford. I saw the invoice myself. I also needed the upper arm bolts to get it in specs but that was only $37. My truck drives better now than it ever did.

Oh, JMC...The torsion bars on SuperCrew's are shorter than any other 4X4 body style by several inches. Don't know why???? But you can check for yourself...

 

lol galaxy beat me to it.

the right front tire wearing in a cupped lumpy fashion and alignment specs being inline all point to the idler arm. take it to your dealer tell them to put it up in the air then go you go over to it and push up and down on the centerlink the idler arm is the one on the right with 2 grease fittings on it sometimes alittle grease will fix these but most times they get a new idler arm.

and if your truck is in specs replacing an idler arm shouldnt through off the alignment unless its extremely worn when they did the other alignments.

what happens is the idler arm gets sloppy and moves up and down at the joint where it bolts to the frame causeing your toe settings to change anytime the truck is moving. usually causes a minor sort of steering wonder.

 

I read Galaxy's comment and took my truck into the dealer that aligned my last two trucks to perfectly. They replaced the idler arm and two lower ball joints.

I can clearly see a difference in that I can now feel bumps in the road on the steering wheel so it is tigher and more solid than before.

It still pulls to the left, and wanders a bit. I'm going to have them take another look at it on Monday.

Funny thing, I dropped it off in the morning because it needed a fuel pump, and would not start. They had to put in a fuel pump first, and finished the front end later in the day. I received a call at 10:15 PM when my wife and I were sleeping. My wife was not happy, but I figure not everybody can tell the kid to find a ride and take his car, and probably are eager to hear their car is ready.

What I keep thinking about is Jaguar's comment about going to someone that he knew could do a good job, and then a Junior Tech ended up working on the truck. I'm just wondering if maybe the second shift crew is not a good and experience as the first shift crew. I don't think there is much more I can look into. I'll see how it turns out Monday when the day crew takes a look at it.

 

Well its still not right. I have a few friends that want to take a look at my truck and check it out.

Steering wheel is a bit better, but still not perfect. To me, it should be since its a new truck

I will keep everyone posted!

L8r,

Jag

 

I've driven with the new idler arm for a while now. The stearing is a lot tighter. Before it was replaced I did't feel the road, now I can feel everything the road does and there is 0 play in the wheel.

It does not wander anymore, but the pull to the left is still there. I've looked at the brakes, and the right disk is slightly warped. the odd thing is I would expect it to pull right, not left. I'm thinking about new rotors and pads, but that is an expensive test that I don't think worth the effort. That may change if I can find a rotor pad combo that has potential to be a rewarding upgrade.

 

All of those components have been checked by numerous places and they all said that everything is OK. I dont think I have any issues with the front end components at this point, truck only has 16,000 miles on it to boot.

 

Jag,

Have they checked the setback? That will cause the wheel to be off center.

JMC