front end alignment

[just truckn]

hi everyone new here this is my first post i need some help herei have a 1990 ranger reg cab 4x4 i put new springs in the back and new springs in the front when i had it aligned it need the caster camber bushings the tech told me the alignment is right on but the steering dose not return to center its all over the road i had it back 2 times already and all i get is the same story i know the caster is messed up dose anybody have any specs so i can get this thing right thanks

 

[KELLY88]

Did you take it to the same shop each time? I'd take it to a different shop and get a second opinion.

 

[just truckn]

alignment

yes i did the shop is next door from my work i keep telling him its the caster but he said its within specs all i did was put stock springs in and now its all screwed up.

 

[canyoncritter]

this might help you some........

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Alignment.html


ask the shop that did the work for you , for a print out...and explain your problem to them once again......if they still dont get it, take it to anouther shop and explain your problem. sometimes it takes a shop or 4 to find a tech that knows I-beams and how to work on them.

 

[rickcdewitt]

being only "within specs" is a sloppy alignment. i knew i was having a bad day(or the customer was an ass) when i let stuff go with only "in spec".you have to move it around within that range until you get the characteristics you are after.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

being only "within specs" is a sloppy alignment. i knew i was having a bad day(or the customer was an ass) when i let stuff go with only "in spec".you have to move it around within that range until you get the characteristics you are after.

+1

Good alignment techs know how to compensate a vehicle for certain characteristics (bigger tires, large wheels, etc.).

At any rate, ask for a printout. If the vehicle is not returning to center then it's a caster issue, unless something is worn out or the tires are badly in need of replacement.

 

[just truckn]

hey guys thanks for the help i did get a print out and it says the caster is on the left before 1.41deg after 1.14 deg the right is before -0.21deg after-0.50 so as you can see they are way out but they tell me if they mess with it it will screw up the camber and the only reason i go back is they charged 250.00 thats with the bushings and labor for everything i am just seeing if anybody knows what they had there caster camber set at so i can explain it to them .oh the tires are new. thanks again

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

hey guys thanks for the help i did get a print out and it says the caster is on the left before 1.41deg after 1.14 deg the right is before -0.21deg after-0.50 so as you can see they are way out but they tell me if they mess with it it will screw up the camber and the only reason i go back is they charged 250.00 thats with the bushings and labor for everything i am just seeing if anybody knows what they had there caster camber set at so i can explain it to them .oh the tires are new. thanks again

Yes, it will screw up camber. Adjusting them slightly adjusts the other measurement. That's why it takes a lot of time to align these trucks. They are obviously too lazy to really take the time and get the alignment dead on. I've seen it take hours to properly align a TTB Ford. It all depends on what you get.

 

[Yellowsplash]

umm....your alignment tech shouldn't be setting your caster to near zero. To make the process easier, you might want to invest in some dual adjustable camber bushings so you can dial in camber/caster separately. Ingalls 594, Specialty Products 24180, Moog K8986, Spicer #6122025, Napa NCP 264-3950, Superlift SLF-1120 all will work. Pick your poison. And also, copy these specs and take it to a reputable alignment center...

CASTER

Minimum +2.0°
Maximum +6.0°
Split 1.0°±+0.4°(+0.6°to +1.4°)

CAMBER

Optimum ±Range +0.25°±+0.5°(-0.25°to +0.75°)
Split 0.0°±+0.4°(-0.4°to +0.4°)

TOE

Total +0.06°±+0.25°(-0.19°to +0.31°)

 

[F150hybred]

Yeah, your "mechanic" isn't doing a proper job. Not to say that he's not trying. You need to find a proper shop that understands the intricate nature of these suspension systems. Honestly, I have better luck going to a frame shop or a heavy truck shop when it comes the setting of these suspension systems. Lucky for me... the mechanic next to where I work is a real fuss pot when it comes to his work and will actually call a customer that has brought in a modified vehicle to ask questions BEFORE he starts setting things. Last time I had a TTB done, he phoned and asked me a barrage of questions.

 

[rickcdewitt]

Yes, it will screw up camber. Adjusting them slightly adjusts the other measurement. That's why it takes a lot of time to align these trucks. They are obviously too lazy to really take the time and get the alignment dead on. I've seen it take hours to properly align a TTB Ford. It all depends on what you get.

exactly,though it really is easy to do these trucks.for each bushing there are two caster settings for the correct camber.you pretty much make the tire sit straight up then check caster. if caster is out you rotate the bushing till camber is good again and check once more.it should only take a couple bushings to get right in the range.

the tech gave up at lunch time,quitting time,or when another job needed done instead of using more offset bushings on both sides.

i'm pretty sure you need more caster on the right,not the other way around.to compensate for road crown.

 

[just truckn]

thanks guys for the info and yellowsplashfor the specs monday i am taking it back to get redone i do have the napa adjusters since my truck is a 90 everyone thinks it has the dana 35 well mine has the 28 so every time i need parts i have to tell them its a 89just to get the right stuff

 

[just truckn]

hey guys just an update i finally got this thing aligned the right way after putting in a second set of bushings and 2 more times to the rack the dude got it right . but i just would like to say thanks for all the help .