Alignment issues with '96. Looking for assistance!

[robertvonthaden]

Hey all,

I've spent the past couple months trying to bring back to life a semi abandoned 80 series. When I got the truck, it had been sitting on a front driver-side flat tire for about a year. The previous owner had sheered the wheel and popped the tire off roading
. It's sitting on an OME 2 in lift kit, and I replaced all 4 tires and got new F5's. tire size 315/70/17 (just under 35in). After getting the truck back on 4 shoes, It is having a geometrical issue of some kind - the driver side wheel (same wheel that had been damaged previously) now rubs HORRIBLY when turning to the left. Not much of an issue when turning right. You can see in the pictures, how much smaller the space between the wheel and fender is on the driver side, compared to the passenger side that has plenty of space.

I brought the truck in for an alignment, and the mechanics were not very helpful at diagnosing the issue. They weren't interested in figuring out why they couldn't get the alignment any better, or why the center of this wheel is sitting so far "back" in the wheel well. I live in a small town, and this truck is my first project car ever and It's been very tough finding someone to diagnose the issue. So I figured I'd go for a long shot incase someone on here may have an idea of what is causing this! I'm assuming something was damaged when the previous owner bent the wheel, I just don't know what would be causing this!

Would appreciate any helpful guidance or feedback! - I know this thing is 30 years old, and it may never be perfect but hoping I can get it squared up enough to make turns on pavement at least!

 

[NeverFinis]

What is the offset of those wheels?

Need way more photos of the entire front axle, lower control arms (frame and axle mounts as well), knuckles, springs, panhard bar ( mounts at the frame and axle)

Without more pictures, you probably have a bent axle housing or bent lower control arms.

 

[robertvonthaden]

What is the offset of those wheels?

Need way more photos of the entire front axle, lower control arms (frame and axle mounts as well), knuckles, springs, panhard bar ( mounts at the frame and axle)

Without more pictures, you probably have a bent axle housing or bent lower control arms.

Thanks so much for the repsonse, The wheels are SCS f5's 17x9 -38mm 6x139.7.

Don't mean to spam more photos but slowly trying to post more, the one thing the alignment shop told me that was helpful was that "nothing seemed entirely out of wack with the frame/axles) and no worries if these pictures don't help further, im no mechanic but I changed out the front coils, steering stabilizer and relay-tie rod form watching YouTube videos. I've just been trying to find videos online of the under side of the trucks to see if I'll notice anything that looks different ton mine. but maybe someone will notice something that's not looking right, these are all from the driver side

 

[CJF]

Hey all,

I live in a small town, and this truck is my first project car ever and It's been very tough finding someone to diagnose the issue. So I figured I'd go for a long shot in case someone on here may have an idea of what is causing this!

A long shot??

You should have come here first.

Welcome.

 

[robertvonthaden]

A long shot??

You should have come here first.

Welcome.

hahah thank you my friend -glad to be in the right spot

 

[Malleus]

If you can, take both from wheels off and take pictures of the front end, from the front edge of the wheel well to the rear end of the trailing arm, on both sides. I can't see anything obvious, from teh pictures you've posted, but there is definitely something wrong.

Two things:
1. Great looking truck to be that close to the ocean – get some rust preventative on it.
2. Why is the left front wheel off the ground? That's a neat trick.

 

[robertvonthaden]

If you can, take both from wheels off and take pictures of the front end, from the front edge of the wheel well to the rear end of the trailing arm, on both sides. I can't see anything obvious, from teh pictures you've posted, but there is definitely something wrong.

Two things:
1. Great looking truck to be that close to the ocean – get some rust preventative on it.
2. Why is the left front wheel off the ground? That's a neat trick.

Thank you!!! I will take the wheels off and post pictures tomorrow! I would be so grateful for your two cents!

The truck was a total score. I've wanted an 80 for years and I knew this one wasn't perfect but I couldn't say no to the price. It came from Montana, I think they sand instead of salt in the winter there - spraying it later this week to keep off as much rust as possible!!!

Going to get this things running or die trying!

 

[Malleus]

I use (used) ATF and paraffin wax; far cheaper than commercial rust preventative. You can use just the ATF; the wax makes it stay where you put it. Dissolve as much wax in the ATF as it'll eat and brush it everywhere. Liberally.

This stuff is sold commercially, BTW. It's called Kroil.

 

[80serie]

I would approach your problem in a different way. Before to take the wheel well as a reference I would make myself 100% sure that everything is square between the frame, the axle and the connections between those two regardless of the wheel well. Your can take those measurements from the service manual under the body section. In my opinion your mismatch between left and right shown on your picture is just and indication that something is wrong. From there investigate from hard references. Start from the base and work your way up. Your curiosity is good you’ll find the solution. Keep us posted.

 

[NeverFinis]

Are you running spacers too? I mean, almost the whole caliper is exposed...

That will be extremely hard on the axle...and I wouldn't be surprised if something bent given the backspacing + spacers plus your report of a damaged wheel.

Your front axle isn't centered. Fix this and then check distances to fenders.

What did the alignment shop show for camber for each side? Is it within OEM Specs?