bannerd

Anyone have a good procedure for this? I was gong to take some old bed frames and drill holes through them, this will get me where I need to be for toe in/out. How to I go about measuring camber/caster? I shouldn't need to do this but I would like to.. I was thinking about finding a level shop floor and then just putting a level on it.

cougar

Back in the day, I used a level, plumb bob, and angle gauge.

u2slow

I have had good luck adjusting toe with a tape measure across tire treads. (Front and back of front tires). If you're toed out, you feel it on a test drive - steering feels darty.

Camber is not adjustable. If you suspect things are worn, you should be able to watch if the tire lean changes when you jack up the front of the truck. Uneven tire wear can come from bad toe or any significant camber.

Caster is also not adjustable. If in doubt, add more; longer shackles has been my easiest method.

bannerd

Yeah, I believe if I can make the truck axle level then the wheels would be level.

cougar

You did not specify whether your truck is 2wd or 4wd. I assumed it was 2wd because you were asking about camber and caster. Silly me. 4wd axles can still be adjusted somewhat using angle shims under the leaf springs which is not the best option because it throws your pinion alignment off, or better yet Specialty Products Company | SPC Alignment | The Automotive Alignment Leaders. My 91.5 was way out and this fixed it right up.

bannerd

Truck is a w250, I’m getting some tire wear on the outside of both wheels. I just got new tires and I’m a little worried about putting them on as I don’t want them to wear uneven. I had 265/70r16 and ended up going for 225/70r16 as I have trouble getting in it (back issues)lmfao.

i think my toe is off so I’ll have to check. Don’t feel like taking it to the alignment place because the give a crap factor in todays world is rare.

u2slow

Most likely toed-in condition.

here's an idea:

KRB

^^^^^ Ah, the Good Ol' Days^^^^^

How many miles on the truck? Easy or rough miles? Just keep in mind the King Pin can and does wear over time.

brentm

I have these alignment plates and they work great for adjusting toe. https://www.vevor.com/toe-plate-c_10...p_010367303728

bannerd

Thanks all, tore those shims out today and now I'm level. I leveled the axel and the from the brake rotor, leveled that... With the shims in.. it was leaning, shims gone and It's dead center!

They used the shim/wedges to compensate for the king pin slack.. with new king pins it countered that which cause my outside tire wear. UGH.

oliver foster

Where were these shims, placed?

bannerd

They were placed behind the spindle, the part number on the shim reads MOOG K9809. When I took them off the fat part was north and the thin part was south on both sides.

Seems like there were trying to compensate for a worn out king pin or bushing?

cougar

May also have come from the factory that way. But the only thing it will help is wheel lean. Does nothing for camber or caster. Manufacturing tolerances were not very good.

bannerd

Whats wheel lean?

I'm going to try and get this aligned just to see what the tolerances are. They should be able to do that I would think!

u2slow

'Wheel lean' *is* camber.