1996 Explorer Front Wheel tip

[wpmattson]

Hello, I was hoping to find quality parts to make the front wheels on
my 1996 Explorer stand straight up and down. Currently, like all of them,
they tip in on the top, causing the tires to wear out on the inside of
the tread.

Thanks,

Wes

 

[corkey]

it needs an alignment not parts,,

 

[colintrax]

What he said ^
If the wheel wobbles then something is worn out. Otherwise all you need is a $100 alignment

 

[wpmattson]

Please note that a 1996 Explorer has no camber (wheel tip) adjustments
from the factory. The vehicle comes with a negative camber (wheels tipped
in on the top).
I am looking for a quality camber kit. I installed one about three years ago,
but they wore out. Thus, I am looking for a quality one, instead of the
no quality one that I have already purchased.

Thanks

 

[FPGT24]

Hello, I was hoping to find quality parts to make the front wheels on
my 1996 Explorer stand straight up and down. Currently, like all of them,
they tip in on the top, causing the tires to wear out on the inside of
the tread.

Thanks,

Wes

i see Explorers like this every once in awhile.

pretty sure ur upper ball joints are screwed. check the lower ones too. all ball joints on 95-01 Explorers wear quickly. hell, i had a 97 with 223k miles on it that had the lower ball joints replaced every 40k miles. it was sad.

 

[mr_valingo]

You could always spring for the $20 cam bolts instead of the $10 ones. But your torsion bars are most likely the culprit.

 

[colintrax]

How are torsion bars the culprit?!?!
And how did camber adjusters wear out? It's just a bolt with an offset head.
Like I said, take it to an alignment shop. They have computers to make sure everthing is within spec. You can only get so close in the garage, so don't even bother trying. They should also have the camber kits, or you can buy one at advanced auto/auto zone/ what have you

 

[Joe Dirt]

Or, as was said- make sure that the upper ball joints are not junk. If they are OE, they're probably worn out. Could be that.

And, does adjusting the torsion bars adjust the camber requiring an alignment afterwards? Yes. So yeah- it could be the torsion bars. I don't know if I'd go with "most likely" though...

So, it can be one of probably three things-

Upper ball joints
Alignment (or combo of the 2)
Distant third- bad/misadjusted torsion bars

I'd replace the wear items, get an alignment, and call it good. You don't need a kit to level the wheels. Besides- if the parts are worn, many shops won't even do an alignment anymore, since the customer comes back and makes then do it again after the problem can't be fixed since it can't hold spec.

 

[mr_valingo]

Hahaha sorry had a moment there. I was thinking sagging front end would make the tires look "tipped in." Now that im awake i can say for certain that worn ball joints can have the same effect.

Yeah what joe said..

 

[wpmattson]

Thanks!
I really like the ball joint idea. Now why didn't
I think of that?
Hopefully I will tear it down this weekend.

Wes

 

[Joe Dirt]

You can lift the truck up, and try the 12 o'clock / 6 o'clock wiggle thing, and check. If they're original though, they're done for.

And not all trucks do it- mine has new uppers and lowers, and an alignment, and sits razor straight up and down even with the torsion bars cranked back down...

 

[colintrax]

Adjusting the torsion bars can affect the camber, but it's minimal, and the op never mentioned modifying the suspension.
He should go check the ball joints, but regardless the alignment shop will tell him if they are bad when he goes in.
Also, inside tire wear can come from excessive toe, again, only the alignment shop should bother checking this.
I like to do all my own work, but when it comes to alignment you should always pay someone to do it. Not that I couldn't get it close, but the computer gets it way closer, and when it comes to your handling performance, braking, and tire wear. Well I'd rather let the computer get it closer than I ever could.
So to the op, TAKE IT TO AN ALIGNMENT SHOP. If something is worn out/ broken, they will notice and you can fix that yourself. Then take it back to get that suspension in spec.

 

[mr_valingo]

My upper and lower ball joints are toast. I've got brand new lowers and new upper control arms sitting in my living room. I just need the time to do it