Explorer '98-'02 Alignment Angles

Loren · 09-03-2008, 12:06 AM

Hello,
To introduce myself, I'm a technician working in the automotive industry. I do not own a Ford product myself but I do lots of work on Ford cars and trucks. I apologize ahead of time if I'm asking a question that has already been covered elsewhere but I did not find it right away and I don't have time to wade through the entire forum. In any event, the last two Ford Explorer's I have done alignments( and suspension work ) on have still ended up with a slightly off center steering wheel. All angles will be in the green, the suspension is verified to NOT be loose, I will "split the tow" and jounce the vehicle, verify correct ride height, etc. etc. I'm starting to wonder if the Hunter DSP 300 that I use has the correct specs for the caster angles.

Has anybody run into this problem and do you know what the caster angles should be?

*Cobraguy* · 09-03-2008, 10:50 AM

I'm not an alignment guy, but if you center the rack and wheel, and set your tow in accordingly, how can the wheel possibly be off center? I don't understand on how the caster can be an issue with steering wheel alignment.

(maybe that's why I'm not an alignment guy

)

*Blacksheep Josh* · 09-03-2008, 03:35 PM

I would think if everything is green, then maybe the steering wheels are off. Or maybe the steering boxes are worn... if y'all use a certain machine, I'm sure there's a way to verify it's correct, perhaps call another shop and check?

silver surfer13 · 09-06-2008, 01:13 PM

Just to let u know also..had my 01 expl sport have the front end re done..now havent had alighnment yet but my steering wheel is off a little bit too..hhhmmm..after alighnmetn will post again and let u know if its straighten or still off!

Loren · 09-11-2008, 12:01 AM

One of my co-workers replaced Radius Arm Bushings on an earlier Explorer( the passenger side bushing is right next to the exhaust so they always wear out, not one of Ford's better ideas ). In any event, he did an alignment on it afterward and had the same damn problem-- all in the green, vehicle still pulled slightly.

ericautopart · 09-11-2008, 03:48 PM

I just had one done, he couldn't align it w/o replacing ball joints and a tie rod but it was fine w/ no problems after that..

corncrasher · 09-23-2008, 09:13 PM

The only thing that is going to effect steering wheel alignment is toe. If the car is driving straight and the wheel is off the toe is off. Are you doing 4wheel alignments or 2 wheel? If you are doing only two wheel and the rearend is off one way or the other it can cause the wheel to be off even if the machine says the steer ahead is right on.

09-03-2008, 12:06 AM	#1
Loren Wannabe Elite Explorer Sacramento, CA NA Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Explorer '98-'02 Alignment Angles Hello, To introduce myself, I'm a technician working in the automotive industry. I do not own a Ford product myself but I do lots of work on Ford cars and trucks. I apologize ahead of time if I'm asking a question that has already been covered elsewhere but I did not find it right away and I don't have time to wade through the entire forum. In any event, the last two Ford Explorer's I have done alignments( and suspension work ) on have still ended up with a slightly off center steering wheel. All angles will be in the green, the suspension is verified to NOT be loose, I will "split the tow" and jounce the vehicle, verify correct ride height, etc. etc. I'm starting to wonder if the Hunter DSP 300 that I use has the correct specs for the caster angles. Has anybody run into this problem and do you know what the caster angles should be?

09-03-2008, 03:35 PM	#3
Blacksheep Josh Slinky+Escalator=Fun Statesboro, GA 1993 Ford Explorer XLT Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,566 Vehicle Specs	I would think if everything is green, then maybe the steering wheels are off. Or maybe the steering boxes are worn... if y'all use a certain machine, I'm sure there's a way to verify it's correct, perhaps call another shop and check? __________________ "Thunder" Registry R.I.P. 2005-2012 2001 Ford Ranger (New!!) "You can hear me when I'm coming" - Yung Joc

09-11-2008, 12:01 AM	#5
Loren Wannabe Elite Explorer Sacramento, CA NA Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Update: More of the same One of my co-workers replaced Radius Arm Bushings on an earlier Explorer( the passenger side bushing is right next to the exhaust so they always wear out, not one of Ford's better ideas ). In any event, he did an alignment on it afterward and had the same damn problem-- all in the green, vehicle still pulled slightly.

09-06-2008, 01:13 PM	#4
silver surfer13 Wannabe Elite Explorer cape cod ma 2001 Explorer Sport 4x4 Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20 Vehicle Specs	Just to let u know also..had my 01 expl sport have the front end re done..now havent had alighnment yet but my steering wheel is off a little bit too..hhhmmm..after alighnmetn will post again and let u know if its straighten or still off!

09-11-2008, 03:48 PM	#6
ericautopart Wannabe Elite Explorer Jersey Shore 1998 XLT 5.0L AWD Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 919 Vehicle Specs	I just had one done, he couldn't align it w/o replacing ball joints and a tie rod but it was fine w/ no problems after that..

09-23-2008, 09:13 PM	#7
corncrasher Wannabe Elite Explorer idaho 95 explorer Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs	The only thing that is going to effect steering wheel alignment is toe. If the car is driving straight and the wheel is off the toe is off. Are you doing 4wheel alignments or 2 wheel? If you are doing only two wheel and the rearend is off one way or the other it can cause the wheel to be off even if the machine says the steer ahead is right on.