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Topic: Ford E450 Alignment - Alignment Kit & Caster (Read 321 times) previous topic - next topic
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Ford E450 Alignment - Alignment Kit & Caster
Last week, we took our '09 MB to a highly regarded alignment shop in Fort Worth.   The shop took the LD for a test drive, inspected the complete suspension, and then performed an alignment which included alignment kits.  According to this shop, the E450 has limited options to adjust the Caster and the alignment kit allows more options.  According to the Service Manager, caster adjustments will improve steering effort and high speed steering/stability.   After this service, I drove about 15 miles with some of those miles at 55 mph.  The results are a bit difficult for me to verbalize.  There is less play in the steering and steering corrections are less often and smaller.  It feels like I have better control and I certainly felt more relaxed. 

We're leaving on a longer trip next week, which will include some freeway miles.  I'm looking forward to that drive and will report back any feedback.
Re: Ford E450 Alignment - Alignment Kit & Caster
Reply #1 –
Thanks Ed & Margee,

Good information. I have not set ours up yet for alignment, Have to do a 4 wheel weighing/adjusting first to make sure we are in recommended limits. Then it is alignment and then perhaps sway bars.

Thanks,

Ian & Jean
2015 MB
Re: Ford E450 Alignment - Alignment Kit & Caster
Reply #2 –
A question, am considering the Safe T Steer for our 2015 27MB and a local shop recommended the Roadmaster unit which is about $70 less expensive.  Any experience or comments about one over the other? Have defiantly scratched Safe Steer from consideration based on comments from the group.  I appreciate the comments, it is greatly appreciated to be able to pull on the knowledge and experience of the group.

Thanks,
Ian 27 MB "Silver Fox", Seattle
2015 MB
Re: Ford E450 Alignment - Alignment Kit & Caster
Reply #3 –
Safe T Steer
----
Safe-T-Plus or Steer Safe; no "Safe T Steer".  ;)  I have a 12-year-old Safe-T-Plus; it does the job, but it does need adjustment "tweaks" more often than I think it should. However, this may be due more to being beaten up by CA's roads than to the inherent "stability" of the unit. I've seen the Roadmaster unit (on display in a local shop), but have no experience with it. If you're considering it, you might find out exactly how it's installed; bolting is far preferable to welding.

2003 TK has a new home
Re: Ford E450 Alignment - Alignment Kit & Caster
Reply #4 –
Quote from: JCT  - 
Safe T Steer
----
Safe-T-Plus or Steer Safe; no "Safe T Steer".  ;)  I have a 12-year-old Safe-T-Plus; it does the job, but it does need adjustment "tweaks" more often than I think it should. However, this may be due more to being beaten up by CA's roads than to the inherent "stability" of the unit.
Having adjusted your Safe T Plus and many others, the clamp, it's obvious that clamp, on the drag link, is a weak design.
The Safe T Plus's purpose is to keep the steering centered on poor roads, no matter what state you are in. The fact that it slips indicates that  something better is needed, with a lot more clamping power, to keep it from slipping.
As you know, once it slips, the steering will pull to one side, defeating its primary purpose.  One reason why I don't have one.
If i did have one, I would probably replace the stock u-bolt clamp with something like the one shown below,  a clamp used for hydraulic steering on off road race vehicles. This type of clamp is very strong.
1.75" tie rod clamp with 5/8-18 boss | PSCMotorsports.com performance...

The Roadmaster unit looks similar to the Safe T Plus, a shock absorber combined with a large spring, used to center the steering.  It duplicates the function of the stock steering stabilizer, which is removed when a Safe T  plus is installed.
The Roadmaster appears different because it is lacking the cover that encloses the spring, on the Safe T Plus.
I have notice that Roadmaster is now copying other manufacturer's designs and then selling cheaper versions. Their toad braking system is an example of them copying the SMI brake system.

Larry

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Ford E450 Alignment - Alignment Kit & Caster
Reply #5 –
Shall I have that HD clamp shipped to my place or yours? 😁
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Ford E450 Alignment - Alignment Kit & Caster
Reply #6 –
Larry, thanks for the info. I would presume that you would need two of the Motorsports clamps, one on each side of the Safety T Plus clamp. Is there enough room? I looked at one installation video and it looked like there might not be enough room on the inboard side. Looks like they might need 2 ".

Thanks,  
Ian
2015 MB
 
Re: Ford E450 Alignment - Alignment Kit & Caster
Reply #7 –
We finally were able to take our
Quote from: Traxless  - 
Last week, we took our '09 MB to a highly regarded alignment shop in Fort Worth.  The shop took the LD for a test drive, inspected the complete suspension, and then performed an alignment which included alignment kits.  According to this shop, the E450 has limited options to adjust the Caster and the alignment kit allows more options.  According to the Service Manager, caster adjustments will improve steering effort and high speed steering/stability.  After this service, I drove about 15 miles with some of those miles at 55 mph.  We're leaving on a longer trip next week, which will include some freeway miles.  I'm looking forward to that drive and will report back any feedback.

We weren't able to get away as soon as we hoped because of oppressive heat in north Texas until last week.  We did a bit of freeway driving and then some Farm to Market (FM) roads.  Clearly our LD's steering is significantly better.  I can't put a percentage figure on how much "better" but it makes me giggle!  It will never be rack & pinion steering, but now  it's easier/smoother steering needing only minor corrections for road conditions, wind, etc.  And that my LD amigos is my feedback as promised.