Front suspension/leveling kit question

[nbkr341]

So I put on some 1" front coil spacers a few months ago to level the truck out a bit, and had the front end aligned at NTB (experts, I know)... It looks like both of my front wheels/tires bow out slightly, and I think I'm seeing wear on the outer edges of both tires. Did the coil spacers cause this? Is it possible to align the wheels properly with the spacers installed? Did NTB align them incorrectly, or does an alignment even allow for the added coil height with the spacers installed? I can take pics if needed...

Thanks.

[drinkypoo]

Originally Posted by nbkr341

Is it possible to align the wheels properly with the spacers installed?

That depends on which adjuster is installed now, and how much it needs to be adjusted. Are you sure you don't have a problem with a bushing or ball joint?

[nbkr341]

I'm going to bump this back up. My ball joints seem ok. Not sure if I described it well, but it looks like I have a slight positive camber, or toe-in. Would coil spacers cause this? All they did, essentially, was raise the spring by about an inch. Should this affect camber? Visually, the wheels look the same as they did before the alignment. If it matters, these are the aluminum coil spacers from Summit racing.

Thanks.

[nbkr341]

Here's a pic.

[drinkypoo]

Yes, changing the suspension height will change camber. That's the tradeoff to the Twin I-Beam (and the TTB!) suspension. You get more suspension travel and less change in track (virtually none) on bumps than a double wishbone, and it's stronger than MacPherson, but camber changes more when the suspension compresses. It still offers better ride comfort than a straight axle like an F350 4x4 (Dana 60) or an F-Super-Duty (dead axle) but it does cause a little bit of bump steer, and it does require a camber adjustment if you change the ride height by changing springs or spacers.

The camber change on compression is not a big problem in most cases because the suspension arm mounts to the opposite side of the chassis, and you want camber to go more negative on the side towards which the body rolls, which is what happens. It's only particularly awkward during serious off-roading. It was a big problem on early VW Beetles, because they had a swing axle suspension, where the pivot point is on the same side of the wheel, which is why the Twin I-Beam mounts to the opposite side.

[nbkr341]

I'm sorry, I'm having trouble following. Is this something I'll have to live with if I keep the leveling kit? Is it fixable with an alignment? Will it wear my tires out significantly faster?

Thanks for the replies.

[drinkypoo]

Because of the suspension design, when you change the ride height, you change camber.

You need a camber adjustment.

There is only a small amount of adjustment in the system before you have to buy a new adjuster. Twin I-Beam and TTB systems have the same goofy adjustment system. It's sturdy, though. But this can probably be adjusted out. It will wear your tires significantly faster, on the inside, meaning you're going to need the tires swapped side-to-side during your second rotation or so (removed, remounted...)

[Xeonpony]

ya if you do not get it aligned, the tire shop guys will be your new best friends and know ya on a first name bassis!