Bent front axle tube? Dodge 4x4

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Steve - 17 Feb 2005 03:23 GMT

The story:

1988 Dodge Power Ram, 3/4 Ton, 4x4 pickup.

Excessive camber (toe out) on left front tire.

I stood down the street, about 50 feet in front of my truck, when it was
parked on level pavement, and I held a one foot long ruler in front of me
and sighted it up to the line of the front axle housing. The axle housing
looks to be slightly bent downward. Also, the left front tire is toed out.
The truck drives just fine and it's not making any noises, vibrations, nor
is handling or cornering a problem.

My questions are, perhaps the axle tube is bent?

Or perhaps the steering mechanisms are bent?

If the axle housing is bent, and it's not causing any driving difficulties,
would it be safe to drive this truck for the short term, until I could get
it repaired?

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.boB - 17 Feb 2005 03:39 GMT

> The story:
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> would it be safe to drive this truck for the short term, until I could get
> it repaired?

Get down under the truck and make a real
measurement before going any further. Eyeballing it
with a ruler from 50' away is just about the same as a
guess. If you saw the guy at the alignment shop do
that, you'de have a cow.

Signature

.boB
1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged!
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1966 FFR Cobra - Ongoing project

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Steve - 17 Feb 2005 03:49 GMT

That's a good idea. But considering there is camber, tire wear, and that
pavement, or concrete, is not always level, the measurements could prove to
be false.

> Steve wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> guess. If you saw the guy at the alignment shop do
> that, you'de have a cow.

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