wheel alignment when turning sharp

[Mondo]

When turning close to full lock the outside front wheel is turning in more sharply than the inside tire and crabbing, which makes the truck shudder.

I was told this is normal (don't know if they meant normal for lowered trucks or OEM)..

I have a 67 with front discs, dropped spindles & 3 inch lowered coils. It rides great except when trying to make full lock turns; which I can pretty much avoid (no drivethrus).

Just want to know if this is true and I'm not getting BS'd

[powell72]

The inner wheel turning farther than the outer is called your "Ackerman angle", which is normal. I have noticed some trucks with short springs will do as your's does, almost rolling over itself like a locked in 4wd on dry pavement.


I just re-read your post and saw that you said the outer wheel is turning farther, that would be why your truck shudders, the inner wheel should turn in further. I believe it is a fairly normal drawback to being low, I don't think it's from the geometry of the drop spindles, I think it comes from the short springs.

Hopefully I didn't confuse you, even though I almost confused myself!

[big_al_71]

Mine does the same exact thing,,,,,,


"It is normal"

[Brad]

It's not normal and you should have your alignment checked. Neither of my lowered trucks does this now. My '67 did it after I put a different front end on it, however the alignment shop fixed the camber and toe and cured it.

[71tahoe]

Originally Posted by Brad

It's not normal and you should have your alignment checked. Neither of my lowered trucks does this now. My '67 did it after I put a different front end on it, however the alignment shop fixed the camber and toe and cured it.

You probably have too much toe-in. Your front tires will be close to parallel except for the toe. When you turn imagine turning with the front wheels on 2 circles like a bullseye. If the inside wheel follows the arc of the smaller circle the outside wheel will be pointed a little to the inside of the bigger circle. (red circle in crude dwg) Any toe-in will make it "push" even more. It shouldn't be as bad as what you're describing though.

[70GMCer]

Also, double check your center drag link to make sure it is installed correctly. Mine was doing the same thing, (although not lowered), until corrected the drag link. I did not know this was the problem until an old school alignment guy showed me it was installed backwards. Easy to do, as it can be installed either way.