Camber Question

Suspension, steering, brakes, wheels & tires

Moderator: FORDification

Post Reply
User avatar
53flathead
New Member
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:57 am
Location: Western NC

Camber Question

Post by 53flathead »

I found a 71 F-100 for sale locally, the owner states he lowered the front end by cutting 1 1/2 coil from the front and the camber is now off, any idea of how big an issue this is regarding getting the camber back where it is supposed to be?
Thanks in advance.....
User avatar
basketcase0302
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 6805
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2006 7:11 am
Location: Hawthorne, Florida

Re: Camber Question

Post by basketcase0302 »

Caster/camber on our twin I-Beam suspension is set by bending the i-beams. Getting harder to even find a shop that will do it anymore, (it'll be an "old school" shop that's been around your area for awhile).
Here's the tech article Keith has provided us for reference on how it's done:
http://www.fordification.com/tech/alignment.htm
Jeff
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=46251
SOLD-71 F-350 dually flatbed, 302 / .030 over V-8 with a "baby"C-6, B & M truckshifter, Dana70/4.11 ratio, intermittent wipers, tilt steering, full LED lighting on the flat bed, and no stereo yet (this way I can hear the rattles to diagnose)! SOLD!
Many Ford bumps / one 76' EB / and several dents through the years.
A lot of "oddball" Ford parts collected from working on them for 34 years now!
2008 Ford Escape 4 x 4
User avatar
Mancar1
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 5390
Joined: Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:13 am
Location: USS Gramps Garage (DD-727) Tehama County, Northern Ca.

Re: Camber Question

Post by Mancar1 »

You could find a used set of coil springs. That should put it back right. That is unless you want to keep the drop.
May your sails stay full, and your knots not slip. Unless a slip knot.
Once I thought I was wrong, but I was wrong.
Life is a banquet, and every days a feast.
68 F-250 CS 390 C-6 P/S A/C front disc. 2nd owner.
2016 GMC Terrain Denali 301 HP V-6 AWD.
2009 Silverado Crew Cab, V-8, 4X4.
DD-727
DD-806
AE-35
LSD-39
AS-41
AR-8
User avatar
wt4speed#2
Blue Oval Guru
Blue Oval Guru
Posts: 1064
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 9:21 pm
Location: Texas, Ft. Worth

Re: Camber Question

Post by wt4speed#2 »

If there is a big truck alignment shop in your area, and they are capeable of bending a big truck axle to correct the camber, they should be able to point you in the right direction as to someone to bend your I-beams. Of course I'm fortunate enough to have worked with a true Ford front end guy and just pray he's still doing it by the time I get mine ready to align mine (the owners<small family ran corp.> of the shop sold the land to the Trinity river expasion project. Last I heard the family wasn't even sure how much longer they were gonna be there and no re-location has been discussed) other wise I'm just gonna have to deal with the tire wear, as he is the only one I'd trust to hang a clevis on my beams.

p.s. that is almost exactly the amount I trimmed from my coils, before doing so I consulted with my guy. He told me as long as I was not using lowering or "dream beams" (I understand they are hollow and can't be hydralically adjusted) I could trim as much coil as I could stand. I asked him what he meant he said and I quote " I'll bend the I-beams and will promise you it will drive straight and not wear the tires, the ride and handling is on you" . The amount I trimmed the fronts coils looked good when I temporarely re-set the fenders, so I stopped at nearly 2 full coils. The camber is off and is only slightly noticeable on flat level ground.

Sorry about the long post but this is something I studied a bit before proceeding.
note: I know this is not the proper procedure to lower our vehicles( I've heard and studied all the pro's and con's and prior to bending the axles I'm out very few coins and it's all very reversible. CHEAP I know right) but I wasnt trying to lay rocker or even frame rails. I was just looking to close the distance in gap between the top of the tire and the bottom of the fender opening. Almost in the weeds on a "redneck' budget.
Tony B.Image
DFW Area
Image
"Someday...
I hope you to get the chance,
to live like you are dying"
Member#'s 236 & 403
Úlf the Comedy Sidekick
'69 F-100 "Stepper"(currently in a bigillion pieces )
wt's ride
thebucket
Post Reply