I beam orientation

[Lowell]

After reinstalling components of a chassis, I noticed the camber of the front tires was off quite a bit. I still have the cab, fenders, etc to install, but I am wondering if the camber is off due to a mix up of the I beams? The wheels look to be centered, but when searching for correct ibeam orientation, I have gotten myself confused. Can anyone tell me how the I ibeams should be oriented regarding the curve that is present at the end of the beam. I compared two beams I have out and they both curve to the right as I look down their length. I looked at the technical articles regarding part numbers and right or left denotation, but am unsure if "right side" (passenger?) means the side the I ibeam attaches to its spindle, or if "right side" means the attachment point is on the right and that beam, therefore, would be the one attached to the "left" (driver's) spindle. Any help would be appreciated.

[1972hiboy]

Right side is going to be the i beam that attaches to the right ( passenger side) wheel of the truck, left or curbside will be ( if we are in the US) the i beam that attaches to the drivers side wheel.

[Lowell]

Thanks. Are you familiar with which way the bend/curve of the I beam should be in relation to right and left side? For example, does the right (passenger side) curve go toward the back or front and vice versa?

[1972hiboy]

Lowell, the curve in the i beam should be forward facing position on the truck. regardless of side. I think its impossible to mix them up, aren't they different lengths? I think they can only go on the way that works. I say this with background in e-series vans that use twin i-beam, maybe the truck stuff that early is different. is this a f100 or 250 your working on?

[Lowell]

I did not know they might be different lengths. I have collected a few of these trucks and spare parts over time, so it is possible I may have mixed and matched the I beams over time. I think combining the part numbers and knowing the spindle knuckle should turn forward will allow me to make sure they are in the correct position. As I am remembering how they are on now, I believe the bend/curve is facing the rear of the truck. So that may account for some of the out camber I am seeing on the wheels at present.

[Lowell]

It is an F100, by the way.

[1972hiboy]

ok gotcha, I have a truck out at my place thats 2wd, ill take a look and see if i can see anything definitive that might help.

[sargentrs]

Check the casting pat numbers here http://www.fordification.com/tech/str-s ... ations.htm

[Lowell]

So here are pics of a spare I beam I have out of a truck. The casting number doesn't exactly match any listed in the technical section on this site, but I think the casting number denotes a right sided I beam that would bolt in at the attachment site under the driver's side and extend over to support the spindle and wheel of the passenger side (right side). Thus, the bend/curve, as installed, would be towards the front of the vehicle, which would be to the left as the beam is viewed from above. Correct? If so, I can check the chassis I have assembled and see if I have installed it correctly or incorrectly.

[sargentrs]

Sounds correct to me.

[67mann]

I went through this and unfortunately photobuckets really has me locked out of my pics now. Here is a thread I started after I assembled mine and they were backwards

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... hp?t=32475
The next 2 are of my beams reinstalled the right way---there is a slight twist to the top of the beam where the Kpin joins it to the spindle---this needs to go to the rear of the truck
Here's a pic the wrong way
http://fordification.com/forum/app.php/ ... /image/484
and after correction
http://fordification.com/forum/app.php/ ... /image/485