Topic Sponsor
2015 - 2020 Ford F150 General discussion on the 13th generation Ford F150 truck.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Worksport

4 Wheel Alignment or Front End Alignment?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 13, 2020 | 12:54 PM
  #31  
MDXLT's Avatar
Senior Member
Supporting Member

5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 733
Likes: 207
Default

I had to go look at the specs in my manual for the numbers and was a little surprised by some of them. For example, Caster is shown to be 3.4* on the left and 3.8* on the right. The difference being and adjustment for road crown. They also show that these numbers can be + or - 1*. But, I would suggest that the plus or minus number would apply to both side, together. Not having that much change being added to one side or the other. In other words, you wouldn't want a reading of say 4.4* on the left and 3.8* on the right even though the numbers are within specs. That would make no sense. I would have them set the caster to the recommended spec of 3.4* and 3.8*, same with camber, both set at -.10*. and toe (front) set at .10*, each side.

As far as you steering wheel being straight ahead goes, I would adjust the tie rods to compensate but, being as there is electronic steering involved, If and issue exist with this unit and is related to the steering wheel being straight, I don't know enough about this to give you a competent answer. Any way, get the front alignment taken care of first and then, do another measure to see where the rear toe/thrust angle is. Merely getting the front straightened out may get the rear in line. With your numbers posted, it's very slight as I said before but, it should be set at zero regardless. Who ever does the work will have to determine how to adjust the rear if it's still out. Nothing I can suggest on these newer vehicles may apply.

By the way, I'm assuming that your truck is the same model as mine or a Scab and a 4x4 of which the numbers are the same and the model years are comparable.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2020 | 12:55 PM
  #32  
Flamingtaco's Avatar
5 Year Member
Veteran: Marine Corp
5 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 9,099
Likes: 3,211
From: Kentucky
Default

There are no adjustments in the rear. Thrust angle being off may be due to poor wheel sensor placement. I had caster that was outside spec on my last alignment, had them immediately put it back on the rack, caster was within spec.

As long as caster is close to the same angle on both sides, wear will be normal. How much caster you have, though, will impact the vehicle's natural ability to self-center, and can make the difference between being a joy to drive on the highway, and spending all your time correcting direction to remain within your lane.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2020 | 01:35 PM
  #33  
Julio Perdomo's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by Flamingtaco
There are no adjustments in the rear. Thrust angle being off may be due to poor wheel sensor placement. I had caster that was outside spec on my last alignment, had them immediately put it back on the rack, caster was within spec.

As long as caster is close to the same angle on both sides, wear will be normal. How much caster you have, though, will impact the vehicle's natural ability to self-center, and can make the difference between being a joy to drive on the highway, and spending all your time correcting direction to remain within your lane.

This is the final alignment angled

Reply
Old Aug 17, 2020 | 07:14 PM
  #34  
Julio Perdomo's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by D2Abbott
The rear has nothing that is adjustable and it looks like your axle is slightly shifted. But honestly with the way they left your caster so messed up I question the competence of this alignment technician. Indeed caster is not a primary cause of tire wear but it certainly will ruin tires when it’s so far off that you need to steer the wheels to compensate!
went to the dealer another alignment and thrust moved again from the last picture of thrust at 0.70 they say the axle might’ve shifted or the frame it’s supposed to be between 50 and -50 it was at 0.0 when i bought it then 0.70 now this they said thats messing with the camber left front btw, everything excluding toe was green when they lifted it up from the front to adjust caster and when it dropped down the camber on the left moved and it showed different numbers on the rear now and they said they couldnt do anything about it



Last edited by Julio Perdomo; Aug 17, 2020 at 07:17 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2020 | 05:21 PM
  #35  
Flamingtaco's Avatar
5 Year Member
Veteran: Marine Corp
5 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 9,099
Likes: 3,211
From: Kentucky
Default

Keep in mind, that rear thrust angle is just 7/10's of a degree. I question the ability of many alignment machines to measure that accurately to a tenth. Most look like they've had two or three three decades in the shop. When was the last calibration done?

Any alignment tech worth his/her salt will wipe down the wheels and check for high spots due to impact before mounting the sensors. Most aren't worth my shaker of table salt. That 0.2º difference between readings comes out to 1.5mm difference between where the sensor mounts on opposite sides of an 18" rim. That's well within the tolerance of a nice whack against aluminum with a hard object, or the tech not ensuring the sensor was fully seated.
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2020 | 05:51 PM
  #36  
Julio Perdomo's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by Flamingtaco
Keep in mind, that rear thrust angle is just 7/10's of a degree. I question the ability of many alignment machines to measure that accurately to a tenth. Most look like they've had two or three three decades in the shop. When was the last calibration done?

Any alignment tech worth his/her salt will wipe down the wheels and check for high spots due to impact before mounting the sensors. Most aren't worth my shaker of table salt. That 0.2º difference between readings comes out to 1.5mm difference between where the sensor mounts on opposite sides of an 18" rim. That's well within the tolerance of a nice whack against aluminum with a hard object, or the tech not ensuring the sensor was fully seated.
ive never done calibrations or anything to this truck, its all stock the rear angle was different this time it was at 0.0 months ago and now different its odd,ig i will drive straight with a crooked steering until i trade it
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2020 | 12:04 PM
  #37  
Flamingtaco's Avatar
5 Year Member
Veteran: Marine Corp
5 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 9,099
Likes: 3,211
From: Kentucky
Default

I meant, when was the alignment machine last calibrated.

There is no reason for the steering wheel to be off center, even with a bent frame. Simply a matter of spinning both steering tie rods the same amount to get the steering wheel centered. Alignment will remain the same. I've fixed that myself on a few occasions, it taking much longer to get them to just pull it back into the bay than to adjust myself in the driveway. Fortunately, my current shop takes care of that like they should.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2020 | 12:07 PM
  #38  
Julio Perdomo's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by Flamingtaco
I meant, when was the alignment machine last calibrated.

There is no reason for the steering wheel to be off center, even with a bent frame. Simply a matter of spinning both steering tie rods the same amount to get the steering wheel centered. Alignment will remain the same. I've fixed that myself on a few occasions, it taking much longer to get them to just pull it back into the bay than to adjust myself in the driveway. Fortunately, my current shop takes care of that like they should.
toe messes with the steering? So they should be the same number on both sides? I went yesterday to the same place to replace inner tie rods which im not going to do, and now they wanted to charge me 517$ for labor and new tie rods haha so no, ill bring it to another shop and tell them to leave toe the same on both sides for the steering? If that could fix it
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2020 | 02:14 PM
  #39  
MDXLT's Avatar
Senior Member
Supporting Member

5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 733
Likes: 207
Default

Centering the steering wheel is a simple matter for a tech if there are no other issues. Once centered, toe can be adjusted accordingly if needed.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2020 | 02:17 PM
  #40  
Julio Perdomo's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by MDXLT
Centering the steering wheel is a simple matter for a tech if there are no other issues. Once centered, toe can be adjusted accordingly if needed.
what are the angles for toe on both sides?
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:04 PM.