The 93 W350 4WD I have has the problem of the front tires leaning inward at the top. I've had this problem corrected in the past by adding new shims in the top knuckle 'ball' joints. I was told that when the tires tip in, I could just add additional shims that would press harder on the spring inside the joint, thus straightening the angle.

Is this the correct fix? I haven't seen this problem on this board before, so I thought I'd bring it up to see if anyone else has had a similar experience. Seems like kind of a shaky set-up if you ask me, but I'm no expert! I know the trucks produced after 93 have an entirely different arrangement, so maybe it was a recognized problem?

Thanks in advance!

chaikwa.

 

Adding shims or washers to the top of the spring is only a band-aid fix(I've done it myself), it will help for a short time. Once the spring looses its original tension it will just keep collapsing until the coil are touching or they break. I have the best luck rebuilding these front axles with a complete kit these guys sell, http://www.ring-pinion.com/index.html the kits are around $60 per side, much easier than trying to piece together everything.

 

Shimming is not the right solution. It isn't just a matter of the spring being soft, but also the nylon bushing does not wear evenly -- it is keyed to the knuckle, and tends to wallow out on the side facing the spindle, causing negative camber . . .

Unless you believe there is something wrong with bearings on the bottom king pins, I would recommend buying two new springs and two new bushings and a gasket for the cap on the passenger's side (for a total of about $20 to do both sides) from Parts Mike Parts -- you can find him on the web. He has everything in stock, and will sell it all individually.

You should check for rust damage to the upper king pin when you open it up -- a rough pin will eat into the bushing faster . . .

Just changing the springs and bushings (and even upper king pin) is pretty easy, but to change anything on the bottom means taking the whole knuckle off, which is a pretty big project.

I just went through everything on my truck -- both bottoms were fine, but I replaced everything on both tops. Also did axle u-joints, spindle bearings and thrust washers, etc. I should have just done the upper king pins and left everything else alone

 

Thanks Flake and asilitch, I feel a little better knowing I'm not the only one with the problem. I'll order parts and get at it this coming week.

chaikwa.