Wolf_n_Kat wrote:
On the subject of "enjoying the ride", ours has a bit of a wandering problem, and the steering seems a little sloppy. I need to get a better mechanic than I to check the alignment, ball joints, etc but I was wondering if there was any kind of "trick" on the front end to improve the steering? I seem to recall reading something about Ford front ends, and setting them out farther than what the specs call for...
"Wandering" usually indicates inadequate caster, which I believe is called understeer. Caster on I-beam axles is set by wedges between the axle and springs. Wedges with one or two more degrees may should fix it.
Worst case: A PO (or mechanic) put the wedges in backwards ... or left them out. (I've seen front springs put on the rear and the rear springs on the front so anything's possible.) The thin part of the wedge should be towards the front of the vehicle.
The caster is set differently on independent front suspension, usually with an adjustable or replaceable cam-like bolt. The same issues as with wedges are possible.
If your tires aren't showing unusual or rapid wear, your camber, toe-in, and ball joints are probably okay. (The ball joints could use greasing ... just like with sex, extra lubrication is a good thing.)
The factory spec's for alignment didn't work on my '77 B200 van. I had a very good, old-school mechanic friend dial it in with instruments and he wrote the revised alignment spec's on the inside of the frame in grease pencil. One Firestone dealer ignored my (written) direction to use the spec's on the frame rail ... he wound up buying me a new set of tires after six months and a few thousand miles.
In that case, unusual tire wear rather than handling indicated an alignment problem.
