So I recently replaced the coils on my 1997 ranger because they were sagging pretty bad and had never been replaced. I then installed Moog camber bushings that are adjustable up to +\- 4 degrees. After, I took it in for an alignment. I just had the shop call and say that they can't get the one side within specs and that it's about 7 degrees off. Any idea what the heck could cause this? I mean that's way off even with the adjustable bushings. The shop suggested that I take it to a collision shop to see if anything is bent (spindle, etc) Would it be possible that the old coils were masking this? Is there anything else that could be causing it to be that out of wack that you can think of?? Thanks in advance! -tim

 

So I've been trying to do more trouble shooting myself and was wondering...could worn out radius arm bushings be a culprit? I mean the truck is over 15 years old so I'm sure they are worn.

 

The coils could mask it very easily! any worn part for that matter could. I did alignments for a while at the shop i used to work at 7 degrees is a lot but it also depends on who's running the machine did they say which spec is out camber caster or toe? that will help narrow down what parts need to be looked at.I would also say get it checked by another shop and see what they say if you ask for an alignment check and not an alignment a lot of shop will check it for free. Depending on which spec is out if the coils were sagging chances are the ball joints are shot to those can cause huge degree out depending on how bad they are.

 

Thanks for the response! They said it was the caster that was most of the problem at this point.

 

Caster is front to back orientation of the wheel in the well and they measure it against the spec of the back wheel so bad ball joints could play a factor or the reared could be slightly offset the reared is not typically adjustable in that truck so unless you have hit something substantial in the back id say ball joints or bent control arm or radius arm bushings bad that would let the whole assembly move forward and back in the wheel well id say jack it up a few inches over concrete and use a long pry bar and see what moves you can pick up on the tire a bit with the pry bar to check ball joint slop and that should also show play in the radius arms

 

Ok thank you sir! I appreciate the help.

 

No problem any other questions just ask!