Rear axle alignment ('95 Ranger)

[12Ounce]

My son-in-law's 2WD '95 has an obvious rear axle "out-of-squareness" with the body. The rear end goes sideways up the highway. We want to correct it.

I've never worked with leaf springs and solid axles before. I've inspected everything ... no worn bushings or anything like that.

How is the rear axle moved? Are both pairs of spring-to-axle clamps loosened for this work? Does one end move, and the other end rotate about a pin or something? Or, are both left and right axle ends free to move if loosened?

I'd appreciated any tips or other info.

[~manuel~]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

My son-in-law's 2WD '95 has an obvious rear axle "out-of-squareness" with the body. The rear end goes sideways up the highway. We want to correct it.

I've never worked with leaf springs and solid axles before. I've inspected everything ... no worn bushings or anything like that.

How is the rear axle moved? Are both pairs of spring-to-axle clamps loosened for this work? Does one end move, and the other end rotate about a pin or something? Or, are both left and right axle ends free to move if loosened?

I'd appreciated any tips or other info.

are you saying that it is dog tracking? perhaps some full contact shims to correct rear toe?

[12Ounce]

Yes, "dog tracking" sounds very descriptive of what's happening.

Where would shims go on a solid rear axle set-up?

[Mac626]

This can also be the result of a bent frame. Was the vehicle ever involved in an accident and repaired?

[12Ounce]

No, the frame is straight. No known accidents.

It seems to me that one end of the axle needs to moved a bit (1/2" or so) on the springs.

I just don't know if there is any provision for doing this.

Some time after TurkeyDay I'm gonna give it an effort.

[butch h]

Are you sure a center bolt(spring) isn't broken?

[12Ounce]

Thanks for the clue, Butch. Is there a center bolt in both L&R spring sets?

[butch h]

Yes there is a center bolt through each spring assy.The head of which locates the spring.You should see evidence of movement if one is broken.

[2000mudder]

butch is correct about the center bolt. that is the only form of alignment on a solid rear axle so one's gotta be broke or the frame is bent!!!

[12Ounce]

It looks like both center-bolts are in place. What do those bolts do ... just keep the spring leaves together?

I decided to replace the rubber bushings in the front leaf spring-to-hanger connection. That may correct the alignment a bit.

And if that doesn't quite do it, I intend to loosen all the bolts, spring-to-axle, etc and use a couple of ratchet cable hoists to see if the axle can be pulled into location and then bolted down.

Does anyone know the recommended torque on the u-clamp nuts at the spring-to-axle connection?

???

[maestrojv]

Leaf Spring U bolt Nuts torque specs between 55-75 ft. lbs. 1983-1992. Not sure whether is different in the 95 but I would suspect not. Could also depend upon whether using the stock bolts that were installed on the truck.

[Escorts4ever]

Consult a alignment shop that has a computerized alignment machine and have the thrust angle corrected. Something up front could have shifted giving you a "dog tracking" situation. Correcting the thrust angle should make your truck go straight down the road. You may be working on the wrong end!!!

[12Ounce]

Well, its taken a few years (6??) for me to finally resolved this issue ... but it has been done!

Over time, as paint repairs aged and became obvious, we now believe this old truck was probably involved in an accident. Not only the repaint, but broken motor and tranny supports turned up. However, I could never detect exactly where or what about the frame may have been distorted .... everything looked pretty straight ... but the rear axle was definitely "out of square".

First, I replaced the rear leaf springs and shackles ... to make sure nothing was broken or bent about them. No significant change!

Next, with the Dremel grinder, the RH front rear-spring anchor bolt-hole was elongated by approx 7/16" ... the final result actually looked like overlapping holes ... a "figure-eight" ... rather than a long slot. The result was almost perfect! The truck now tracks great and feels like it never has ... for us. The rear axle is square to the front end.

[Moppie]

Wow, 6 years has to be a record for a follow up


Bent chassis rails are often very, very hard to detect as a small bend over a long distance won't be noticeable by eye, but can pull things out of alignment.