Why does my wheel stick out?

[Xplorer82]

That is how my 97 sits as well, has been for the just shy of 8yrs i've owned it. No accidents that im aware of and all body lines are straight and line up.

Always wondered as well.

 

[cloud2or3]

After looking at my rear wheels in line with the body i think they are ok.

If i had to is it possible to just shift the front somehow?

Don, I will read over your suggestions again and measure some things tomorrow morn.

I think I will have to take it to a decent body shop and have them assess it. I'm also going to check with the insurance company to see if I can get a report done.

I think its odd that a few people have chimed in with the same situation on there 1997's. Can those of you with this issue post some pics?

 

[CDW6212R]

In case you didn't think the body was really off of the frame;

 

[cloud2or3]

impressive...

im also super stoked that your hoist is OUTSIDE!... nice!

you got some flood lights out there too?

 

[CDW6212R]

Just those on the end of the garage, and it's my friend's house. I spent a lot of time working with my friend on stuff, so it was a good deal for both of us. It's my lift and it was affordable as part of my 99 Explorer rebuild project. It cost less to fix that one and buy the lift, than to sell my 93 and buy a 98-01 Explorer Limited, in 2005.

Tools are great, you appreciate them a bunch when you don't have them.

 

[my98nnj]

Have a 4 wheel thrust angle alignment done. If its all I spec, I'd leave it alone.

 

[CDW6212R]

Have a 4 wheel thrust angle alignment done. If its all I spec, I'd leave it alone.

It is not an alignment issue, unless it was in a bad wreck etc.

 

[cloud2or3]

bump, looking for any more thoughts on this...

 

[CDW6212R]

If you do loosen the body mount bolts, it's possible to move the body almost 3/4" side to side, fully left versus fully right.

Be sure that you really want to do that, because the body bolts often are seized and either break or are hell to remove.

 

[cloud2or3]

If the body bolts break... then what?

 

[CDW6212R]

Some are available still from Ford, but of course waiting for it to come in in a few days is no fun. There are aftermarket bushings and kits, but those also take time.

If it's something to consider, get a good look at the mount bolts. If they look really good(clean) etc, it may be worth trying now. If they look rough, it may be best to buy some extra parts before beginning to loosen those.

Some places that far North don't have the corrosion issues like Ohio etc do. It's tough to say how they will be.

 

[cloud2or3]

Im wondering if i do take it to the body shop and they assess that I can fix the issue, if I should replace all the body bushings, bolts (are there screws?) at the same time....????

If I'm gonna take it to the shop and expense that... i might as well, right?

Have a look...
http://www.andysautosport.com/ford/...ushings/body_mounts/daystar/dyst00000087.html