Re: Bent front axle tube? Dodge 4x4

That's a good idea. But considering there is camber, tire wear, and that
pavement, or concrete, is not always level, the measurements could prove to
be false.


".boB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Steve wrote:
>
>> The story:
>>
>> 1988 Dodge Power Ram, 3/4 Ton, 4x4 pickup.
>>
>> Excessive camber (toe out) on left front tire.
>>
>> I stood down the street, about 50 feet in front of my truck, when it was
>> parked on level pavement, and I held a one foot long ruler in front of me
>> and sighted it up to the line of the front axle housing. The axle housing
>> looks to be slightly bent downward. Also, the left front tire is toed
>> out.
>> The truck drives just fine and it's not making any noises, vibrations,
>> nor
>> is handling or cornering a problem.
>>
>> My questions are, perhaps the axle tube is bent?
>>
>> Or perhaps the steering mechanisms are bent?
>>
>> If the axle housing is bent, and it's not causing any driving
>> difficulties,
>> would it be safe to drive this truck for the short term, until I could
>> get
>> it repaired?
>>
>>
>>
>>
> Get down under the truck and make a real
> measurement before going any further. Eyeballing it
> with a ruler from 50' away is just about the same as a
> guess. If you saw the guy at the alignment shop do
> that, you'de have a cow.
>
> --
> .boB
> 1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged!
> 2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
> 1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
> 1966 FFR Cobra - Ongoing project
>

Steve wrote:

> That's a good idea. But considering there is camber, tire wear, and that
> pavement, or concrete, is not always level, the measurements could prove to
> be false.
>
>

Doing the actual measurement of the axle can be a
little tricky, because you have to compensate for all
these variables. But it's certainly not impossible to
do in the average garage. Here's what I would do.
First off, you want to know if the axle tubes on
either side of the pumpkin are straight. That's pretty
easy to with a carpenters square. Be sure and measure
in at least 3 planes. I would use an inexpensive
square, and measure the long tube first. Then if you
need to, you can cut the square short enough to check
the short tube
Once you know they are straight, then you can
compare one tube to the other. You want to make sure
they are are exactly parallel to each other, and on the
same plane. Use one of those cheap laser leveling
devices from Home Depot, cost is less than $20.
Set it up outside the edge of the first axle
tube, so it casts a line down the axle and across to
the other side of the truck. Use a ruler, and make
sure the laser line is parallel to the longest tube.
Now use a ruler and measure the shorter tube as
compared to the laser line. Again, try and check it at
3-4 different planes.
If the two tubes are in alignment, the distance
from the edge of the axle tube to the laser line should
be exactly the same from one side of the truck to the
other.
It's a tedious process, and make take an hour or
so to do. But when you're done you'll know exactly
where you stand.


--
..boB
1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged!
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1966 FFR Cobra - Ongoing project