GEN 2 Rear Axle alignment - pointed to passenger side

[Xtinct]

Hi Guys, I have a 2019 SCAB that I was curious if anyone ran into an issue with the forward center alignment of the rear end. I checked the overall alignment and found that the front and rear both had 1.5mm of toe-in which seems good, but the problem was the rear end is pointed towards the passenger side by 1.5mm. (As measured from the front to rear of each rim.) Note sure off hand what that translates to in degrees.

Does anyone know what the "acceptable" spec for this is from Ford?

I don't know what the spec for this is from Ford for "acceptable" misalignment but this seems misaligned. Because there is no adjustment for this, after talking to Ford service, one dealer said they had seen this on a few trucks in the last couple years and Ford allowed them to install an aftermarket shim kit to fix the issue, and I think they may have done this to some under warranty.

Has anyone had this issue or know if their Raptor's rear end it pointing to one side rather than tracking perfectly straight? The scary thing is I only wanted to check the toe-in and just happened to look at this stat, but had I not checked, would never have known based on sight or driveability. Just very frustrating like others have mentioned that a premium purchase cannot be built properly. I have already had Ford fix about 4 build issues.

 

[MTF]

The only way you can tell easily is find a straight road with good solid lines
and see if your truck is dog legging by watching the front and rear tires. 1.5mm is not a lot, it may be hard to see.
You can try to move the axle by loosening the U-bolts and shifting them a little on the top of the springs, the bottom has the bolt heads sitting in holes holding the springs but you may still get something out of it.
Better let an alignment shop do that for you or make the dealer do it under warranty.
Otherwise have them order you a new spring to match.

 

[FordTechOne]

Hi Guys, I have a 2019 SCAB that I was curious if anyone ran into an issue with the forward center alignment of the rear end. I checked the overall alignment and found that the front and rear both had 1.5mm of toe-in which seems good, but the problem was the rear end is pointed towards the passenger side by 1.5mm. (As measured from the front to rear of each rim.) Note sure off hand what that translates to in degrees.

Does anyone know what the "acceptable" spec for this is from Ford?

I don't know what the spec for this is from Ford for "acceptable" misalignment but this seems misaligned. Because there is no adjustment for this, after talking to Ford service, one dealer said they had seen this on a few trucks in the last couple years and Ford allowed them to install an aftermarket shim kit to fix the issue, and I think they may have done this to some under warranty.

Has anyone had this issue or know if their Raptor's rear end it pointing to one side rather than tracking perfectly straight? The scary thing is I only wanted to check the toe-in and just happened to look at this stat, but had I not checked, would never have known based on sight or driveability. Just very frustrating like others have mentioned that a premium purchase cannot be built properly. I have already had Ford fix about 4 build issues.

I'm trying to decipher the concern here...is the axle offset to one side of the vehicle, or is the axle misaligned with the front (thrust angle)? If the axle is offset to one side, that is not an issue if it's only by 1.5mm. It will not cause any driveability issues or tire wear, it's simply the result of tolerances within the leaf springs/bushings. No spec is listed for F-150, but the Super Duty lists a specification of up to 30mm offset.

As far as thrust angle, which means the axle is actually rotated off axis, the maximum allowable is 0.5 degrees. That can typically be corrected by loosening the u-bolts and adjusting the axle.

 

[nikhsub1]

Just had an alignment done yesterday - my thrust angle was .07 degrees

 

[PlainJane]

OP "front and rear both had 1.5mm of toe-in"

Does the Raptor solid axle rear have toe-in?
I know race cars "bend" the axle on solid axle set-up for camber and toe-in.

 

[Xtinct]

OP "front and rear both had 1.5mm of toe-in"

Does the Raptor solid axle rear have toe-in?
I know race cars "bend" the axle on solid axle set-up for camber and toe-in.

I don't know what the factory spec for toe-in is on the rear end but I would hope they have some toe-in. I run 3mm of rear toe-in my independent rear track car but have no idea what the specs are for a truck.

 

[Xtinct]

I'm trying to decipher the concern here...is the axle offset to one side of the vehicle, or is the axle misaligned with the front (thrust angle)? If the axle is offset to one side, that is not an issue if it's only by 1.5mm. It will not cause any driveability issues or tire wear, it's simply the result of tolerances within the leaf springs/bushings. No spec is listed for F-150, but the Super Duty lists a specification of up to 30mm offset.

As far as thrust angle, which means the axle is actually rotated off axis, the maximum allowable is 0.5 degrees. That can typically be corrected by loosening the u-bolts and adjusting the axle.

Yes I was referring to the thrust angle. It is off by 1.5mm based on the rim size. Thank you for that spec, I appreciate it. I just calculated this and my thrust angle is -0.15 degrees, so it is 3x worse than that allowable figure. The dealer is over 1 month out before they can put it on the alignment rack, I feel that they are just putting it off.

I calculated the thrust angle here:
https://robrobinette.com/DIYAlignmentCalculator.htm

 

[PlainJane]

If you are saying one side is closer to the front at the rim by 1.5 mm, 0.060 inches.

based on a width of 90.6 " outside rim to rim that's less than 0.04 degress.

 

[FordTechOne]

Yes I was referring to the thrust angle. It is off by 1.5mm based on the rim size. Thank you for that spec, I appreciate it. I just calculated this and my thrust angle is -0.15 degrees, so it is 3x worse than that allowable figure. The dealer is over 1 month out before they can put it on the alignment rack, I feel that they are just putting it off.

I calculated the thrust angle here:
https://robrobinette.com/DIYAlignmentCalculator.htm

You're welcome. However, if your Thrust Angle is 0.15 degrees, that is nothing close to the 0.5 degree maximum specification. If you meant to type 1.15 degrees, then yes that is WAY out of specification and requires immediate attention.

Any dealer that tells you they're a month out for an alignment is either in an extremely busy urban area or they're lying. Try a different dealer if necessary.

 

[Xtinct]

You're welcome. However, if your Thrust Angle is 0.15 degrees, that is nothing close to the 0.5 degree maximum specification. If you meant to type 1.15 degrees, then yes that is WAY out of specification and requires immediate attention.

Any dealer that tells you they're a month out for an alignment is either in an extremely busy urban area or they're lying. Try a different dealer if necessary.

Thank you for the reply, I misread that, I was thinking it was 0.05 degrees, so I am within tolerance. Cool. I still can't get over using solid axles in 2020.