Having an alignment issue

[Poppa_R]

Jim, I can't tell from the pictures you posted but it appears that the ride height is shifting slightly and causing the visual effect that you have. With the twin I-BEAM suspension ride height changes the angles of the tires alot

 

[Curious Hound]

Yeah I have three TTB trucks and am very familiar with the geometry and function. I do all my own repairs and adjustments and am very capable. Some are lifted and some aren’t but none of them change wheel position by driving them. Same with a tow dolly, I’ve pulled a couple across country. Pulling the truck from the same wheels that are moving to and fro seems perfectly logical.
I’m not here to argue. I was giving my two cents because he posted.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, either. The point about the tow dolly is that the dynamics are very different from driving on those wheels. On the tow dolly, the wheels are in a much more static situation. It's not the same as driving on them. When driving on those wheels, they are rolling and putting dynamic forces on the steering and suspension. They aren't carrying any steering load while sitting in the dolly.

 

[Curious Hound]

Here is what I was talking about when I mentioned using the skates under the wheels during a DIY alignment. Now, things can move while I make adjustments. I can also bounce the front end up and down to help things settle in after an adjustment. When I feel like its6dialed in pretty good, then I'll drive the truck around d the block and come back for a final check on my measurements.

Preliminary checks are showing a full 1" of Toe in on this truck. Don't know when it was last aligned before I bought it, or by whom. But that's pretty bad.

 

[bobbywalter]

It's toe and I think the beam is bent a bit. Look for cracks.

You really put an ass whooping on it last year.

Wheel base it and see how close they are if you get time. .

Same deal as when we put it back together out in pa...it's under center so it's over reactive .. the price of compliant springs and good trail performance. It's why it does so well.

.... I was supposed to be down about an hour north from ya last winter for a month or so and figured we could go through it....but my schedule never goes as planned .....

 

[Jim Oaks]

The upper balljoints were looose. I tapped them back down and tightened them.

The front wheels will be on a dolly going to PA. I just want to reduce this issue some if possible. Worse case scenario we back it up into position for display.

 

[Curious Hound]

The upper balljoints were looose. I tapped them back down and tightened them.

The front wheels will be on a dolly going to PA. I just want to reduce this issue some if possible. Worse case scenario we back it up into position for display.

We'll make it look as pretty as possible.

 

[bobbywalter]

Yeah...the ball joints and the beam to arm bolts and all the brackets ECT I assume you nut and bolt periodically... and were tight.

If they were loose then the camber and caster may need dialed in....and that is a separate can of worms.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I'm going to measure the toe. I believe if they're toed out it sucks them down going forward.

 

[Poppa_R]

that is why I spoke about the ride height, something in either suspension is loose or as talked about with the alignment causing this. I can see where toe out would definitely cause this concern.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

With the front tires moving that far, it's far more than "worn ball joints" - More like completely fubar'd ball joints maybe..

If you think about the geometry of the Ranger TTB then it can only be so many things wrong. Ball joints, loose or junk tie rod ends, radius arm bushings or loose radius arm nuts, beam bushings completely missing lol, loose pinch bolts letting the alignment change at will...

 

[bobbywalter]

With the front tires moving that far, it's far more than "worn ball joints" - More like completely fubar'd ball joints maybe..

If you think about the geometry of the Ranger TTB then it can only be so many things wrong. Ball joints, loose or junk tie rod ends, radius arm bushings or loose radius arm nuts, beam bushings completely missing lol, loose pinch bolts letting the alignment change at will...

toe is the major player in ttb. if its jacking it is usually too much toe...one way or the other.

generally the camber bushings are low...like 1/2 to 1 degree so even if they get loose and swing it isnt too horrible. but if they are high degree units like 3 plus it can run you to the edge of toe adjustment if you are way over or under center.

when i say over or under center i am referring to the cruise position as dynamic and rest position stopping from going forward as static..the angle of the line of the actual axle beam pivot point in relation the the center line of the spindle ...

depending on spring rate and shock valving and whether over or under center...these can want to be toe out over an 1/8 of an inch...or toe in over a 1/4....which is a mile compared to sla. so when you back up it will suck the beams down and scrub the tires. but going forward it will be very responsive.


bad joints if the toe is set correctly...wont cause it to jack....the whole knuckle might fall off...but it wont jack like this...

 

[Bird76Mojo]

so when you back up it will suck the beams down and scrub the tires. but going forward it will be very responsive.

You just described my V8 Ranger perfectly.

 

[bobbywalter]

yeah...they are cantankerous....

but i still like em....

 

[Jim Oaks]

There was 3.5 inches difference between the front of the tire spacing and the rear. The was plenty of room in the passenger side sleeve to pull it in

Straightened it up. Now I'm not wrestling it when I drive it

On another note, the steering box is leaking at the pitman arm. I'll deal with that later

 

[bobbywalter]

Always something....


Back to jumping ditches ...