65mechanic

So this has been bugging me a while now and I can't seem to figure it out. My rear axle seems to be off-center on my 88 F150. My passenger side rear wheel/tire sticks out a good 2-3" more than my driver side rear tire. I was thinking it could be that the bed isn't centered on the frame, but there isn't any body mounts to go bad and cause this. The wheels are brand new Cragar soft 8s, and I had another set before these and it was the same deal. Also, the cab lines up with the bed just fine. The leaf springs are an assortment of F150, S10, and jeep leafs, but there's not really anyway worn out leafs would cause the entire axle to sit further out on one side, right? Maybe I'm crazy, but I'll grab some pictures tomorrow when the sun it out and see if you guys have an idea. Thanks.

Snaggletooth

It's possible the axle shifted. Take a look at the spring perches and around the u-bolts.

65mechanic

I agree. I actually took the u-bolts off yesterday to take an add-a-leaf out of my spring pack and try to shift the axle back towards the driver side, with no avail. I'm going to measure the wheel/tire to outside of my frame rails and see if there is a difference. Probably what I should've done before I made this post. Haha

Snaggletooth

I wonder if it's possible one of the axles is slipping out. I've seen axle shafts come out completely but never one move a couple inches and stop. Might be worth checking.

robertsunrus

Hi, measure the distance between the wheels and the leaf springs. If the distance is equal, you might have a bent frame.

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

The box has plenty of room to be shifted side to side, so it may not be on straight. You have to measure from the backing plates on the diff to the frame to see if the axle is in correctly. If it is, check the alignment of your box.

bubbabud

May be baying at the moon but with the morfidite springs you describe are the center bolts truly in the center? is the center bolt head fitting in the centering hole in the perch or is it sitting to the side of the perch? IF the springs, center bolts and perch's are all correct then there is no way for the axle to shift.

mustangGT90210

Jack it up and pull out on the tires. Almost seems like you have an axle shaft that could be walking away from the diff.