93 Ranger 4X4...tire lean

[Kyle M.]

Alright, I have this strange issue with my 93 Ranger, maybe it is normal. Where I park at work I back into my spot. If I do this, my tires lean out at the top. If I let it roll forward a little bit, the tires will straigten out. Is that normal? Also, I had an alignement done, they said it was all in spec, but my tires are wearing bad on the inside like they lean going down the road. What is broken?

 

[pillen140]

its the way the suspension is designed(i beam, traction beam). when the suspension travels upward, the tire will lean in at the top. when the suspension is traveling downward, it will make the tire lean outward. thats just how it works.

 

[pillen140]

oh, and the spot you park in is probably uneven, causing it to do that. and i would check the tie-rods and tire pressures first on the tire wear issue.

 

[4x4junkie]

If the tires are wearing bad, then something certainly is wrong somewhere.

Do the tires lean one way when you back up in a straight line, then go the other when you reverse directions? (while still maintaining a straight line)? If so, then chances are your toe alignment is way off.

 

[pillen140]

he made it sound like they lean out at the top, not front or rear... who knows? maybe the tire was already worn? were they bought used? or on the truck when you bought the truck?

 

[Kyle M.]

he made it sound like they lean out at the top, not front or rear... who knows? maybe the tire was already worn? were they bought used? or on the truck when you bought the truck?

That is correct. I bought the tires new, had an allignment the same day at a Ford dealer and all was good. 6K miles later there is some major wear. It just seems like somthing isn't right. Tie rods, ball joints are all good, they were inspected during the alignment, and I just looked at them again today when I rotated the tires.

SO it is normal for the tires to lean when you back up? Just seems odd to me.

 

[4byRANGER]

its somewhat normal..!!?? if that makes sence

could be the toe of the front wheels, racerunner(alec) posted some pictures of his suspension when he drove in reverse the suspension lifted the front up like 2 feet.. its a prerunner with longtravel but the same rule is applied. ive notice my ranger will do the same thing sometimes.. check next time your parking somewhere and do like you normally park and see what happends

 

[4x4junkie]

No, it is not normal. I would have the toe alignment rechecked.

When they check it, make absolute sure they aren't lifting the tires up when they do it, this will result in an improper alignment guaranteed.

(Alignment guys that know how to do the Ford Twin-Beam suspensions are unfortunately getting harder to find (not that it was ever easy to find one), I think due to a complete lack of training in this area. I've even seen dealers let improperly aligned vehicles out the door).

 

[Yellowsplash]

Sounds like the toe adjustment is a bit off...

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Yup, the toe is definately off.

Sounds like that flat-rate Ford Tech made out pretty good on your truck.

 

[pillen140]

any one listening? lean out at top, not front or rear. camber, not toe.

 

[4x4junkie]

any one listening? lean out at top, not front or rear. camber, not toe.

???

What are you trying to say?

Bad toe causes the suspension to jack itself up or down, which in turn causes the camber to change.

 

[Kyle M.]

I understand, the front wheels might be pointing toward each other too much, so when I back up, they drag a little and cause the front end to lift. I will have to bring it in and have someone else look at it....I am just pissed my tires are half worn after not many miles. I called Ford, but they said I waited too long and said that I must have hit a pot hole to throw it out of alignment.....right. I must have just forgot....

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

No, you got it backwards.
Your tires are pointed out from each other, so when you drive in reverse they roll toward each other, and because of the way the ttb pivots it lifts your truck.

 

[philzilla]

are your wheel bearings securely in? when i went offroading the retainer pin snaped off and it allowed my left wheel to get out of camber alot, do you notice any drifting in your steering? this is most likely not the case but just something to look for