Camber and Caster Adjustment - F250 and F350 Four Wheel Drive (4WD), F450, F550

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Ford Pickup, 2006 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2006 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2006 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SPECIAL TOOL(S)

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remover, Steering Arm
211-003 (T64P-3590-F)

CAUTION: Do not bend the axles or the radius arms to change alignment angles or damage to the vehicles axle and radius arms can occur.

Using alignment equipment and the manufacturer's instructions, measure the caster and camber.
- Refer to ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS for optimal alignment settings.
- If the caster and camber values are not within specification, go to the next step.
Remove the cotter pin and the nut from the upper ball joint.
- Discard the cotter pin.
  
  Fig 1: Locating Cotter Pin
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Loosely install the nut, inverted, onto the upper ball joint stud.

Fig 2: Locating Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Loosen the lower ball joint nut to the end of the lower ball joint stud.

Fig 3: Locating Lower Ball Joint Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Use care not to damage the brake and vacuum lines when striking the spindle.

Separate the wheel knuckle from the axle.
Remove the nut from the upper ball joint.

Fig 4: Locating Upper Ball Joint Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using the special tool, remove the existing LH and RH adjuster sleeves. All vehicles are built by the assembly plant with a non-adjustable camber/caster sleeve.
1. Service adjusters have a 8-sided flange with the camber/caster adjustment range stamped into the bottom (0 degree, 1/4 degree, 1/2 degree, 3/4 degree or 1 degree).
2. Production adjusters have a round flange with a flattened edge. The amounts of pre-set camber and caster are stamped into the top of the adjuster.
  
  Fig 5: Identifying Special Tool
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  
  Fig 6: Identifying Adjusters
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install interim 0 degree service adjusters to both sides of the vehicle.
Install the nut onto the upper ball joint.
- Tighten to 94 Nm (69 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 7: Identifying Upper Ball Joint Nut
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the front wheel(s) and check the caster and camber readings with the 0 degree service adjusters installed.
Calculate the maximum amount of camber and/or caster adjustment required to achieve the optimal settings, as provided in the Alignment Specifications table, by subtracting the measured values from the optimal target values.
Example: For a four wheel drive (4WD) F350 pickup with single rear wheels (SRW),
- Optimal camber spec target = 0.15 ± 0.75.
- Optimal caster spec target = 2.6 ± 1.2.
- Measured camber =1.2 (out-of-spec).
- Measured caster = 2.0 (within spec).
- Required camber adjustment = 0.15 - 1.2 = -0.9.
- Preferred caster adjustment = 2.6 - 2.0 = +0.6, however not required.
Using the Camber/Caster Service Adjuster table, determine the appropriate replacement service adjuster needed to correct alignment. There is usually more than one combination of service adjuster and orientation that can be chosen to achieve alignment measurements within specifications. If a compromise is required, choose the adjuster and orientation which optimizes the camber value and maximizes the caster value.
Example: continuing the above example,
- Choose an adjuster with a 1 degree adjustment circle.
- Set the adjuster to the 180 degree position to achieve a -1 degree camber and 0 degree caster shift setting.
  
  Fig 8: Camber/Caster Service Adjuster Table
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: When selecting a replacement service adjuster to achieve the desired amount of camber and caster offsets, caution is required to make sure that all other alignment characteristics (camber split, caster split and individual caster) are maintained to within their specified ranges. When in doubt which service adjuster to choose, make the selection which achieves measured results closest to the optimal targets in the following order of priority:
- Caster split
- Individual camber
- Camber split
- Individual caster
Remove the nut from the upper ball joint.
- Discard the nut.
  
  Fig 9: Locating Upper Ball Joint Nut
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Using the special tool, remove the 0 degree service adjusters and install the appropriate replacement service adjusters to the correct rotational orientation specified in the Camber/Caster Service Adjuster table.

Fig 10: Identifying Special Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Tighten the lower ball joint nut to 59 Nm (44 lb-ft).

Fig 11: Locating Lower Ball Joint Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install a new upper ball joint nut and a new cotter pin.
- Tighten to 94 Nm (69 lb-ft).
  
  Fig 12: Locating Upper Ball Joint Nut And Cotter Pin
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Tighten the lower ball joint nut to 204 Nm (150 lb-ft).

Fig 13: Locating Lower Ball Joint Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Verify the camber and caster settings, adjust as necessary.
- Once the optimal caster/camber has been achieved, check the total toe and adjust as necessary. For additional information, refer to TOE ADJUSTMENT - F250 AND F350 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD), F450, F550 .