Hello,

I'm looking at a 1989 Frod pick up, 4X4 that the front tires lean and are not straight up and down from the front view. the sellers says that's the way they are. There doesn't seam to be any unusual wear on the tires but I don't know if this is a standard condition or a problem. Anyone know? Thanks for the help.
Woodpro

It could be an optical illusion. Or not. Do the tires tip inward or outward at the top? You can buy an angle indicator at any lumber yard for a few bucks. That would give you a rough idea of what your wheels are doing. Normally the tops of the tires will tilt outward a few degrees. Hardly noticable. Do you have a solid front axle or independent suspension? If someone has put heavier springs on an independent suspension it will change the angle. Worn springs will do the same thing. Badly worn pivot bushings on a solid axle can cause the tops to lean in. Are the tires new enough that an unusual wear pattern hasn't shown up yet? Are they used tires that the seller just put on and they haven't developed a pattern yet? I suggest you make an appointment at a front end shop to have it checked. The mechanic will list any problems so that you can repair them, or have them repaired, before getting an alignment. If problems are found, an alignment will be a necessity. Watch it, though. Some shops will try to insist that they do the repair on the spot, citing safety reasons and so on. Unless there is an obvious, immediate safety hazard, such as a tie rod end about to fall off, they are just trying to drum up business. If it is just normal wear causing your problems then there should be no legal reason why you can't drive it home and fix it. Discuss it with them first and make sure they know you won't pay for any un-authorized work.

The Ford is a twin I beam suspension, and some positive camber is normal; adjustment is reasonably simple.

^I believe the F350 had a straight axle. My brother's plow truck does and it's around that vintage.

Just checked with the local Ford pickup expert, my brother. He's been running Ford pickups since the '60's for his farm equipment repair service. The '89's had independent suspension for the F-150's and 250's, and straight axles in the 350's. The 350's were pretty trouble free, but the 150's and 250's had camber issues. Worn ball joints would cause the wheels to lean inward on the 150's. Replacement of the ball joints would solve the problem. Until the next time. He describes the 250's as pretty much hopeless. No matter what you did, they would still eat up tires. I know from my own experience that when Ford introduced the twin I-beam suspension it was prone to alignment problems.