Alignment issue...
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Junior User
Joined: May 2010
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It can but I doubt it. That drag link can cause it. It's making mine pull right now. I need to replace it but who has any money?
With the tires they can move the load on the wheel bearings. An inch shouldn't do much but if something else is wrong it can exaggerate the problem being off factory specs.
With the tires they can move the load on the wheel bearings. An inch shouldn't do much but if something else is wrong it can exaggerate the problem being off factory specs.
I was just wondering, because I thought I remembered it started right after I changed the rims/tires. Anyway, this weekend I'll put the skinny tires and rims back on, and see what happens.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,168
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From: San Ramon Ca.
Like RRanch said the rear end may be kicked out. The front end may be straight (or close) but the rear may be cockeyed. Mine was. If the alignment shop was any good they should have checked that. I agree a front bearing could do the same thing. What tire pressure are you running. I'm betting on spring bushings. If they have never been changed its time to do so. You can't get a good alignment if everything is floating around. In fact my alignment issues started when I did the reverse. Went from 285/75 16s to the 235/85 16s. Mine was going left.
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Junior User
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No, the steering wheel is crooked. It does pull all the time, but some days it seems worse than others. I know that certain roads can cause it to pull a bit, but this is way too frequent to be caused by the type of road.
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Junior User
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Like RRanch said the rear end may be kicked out. The front end may be straight (or close) but the rear may be cockeyed. Mine was. If the alignment shop was any good they should have checked that. I agree a front bearing could do the same thing. What tire pressure are you running. I'm betting on spring bushings. If they have never been changed its time to do so. You can't get a good alignment if everything is floating around. In fact my alignment issues started when I did the reverse. Went from 285/75 16s to the 235/85 16s. Mine was going left.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,168
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From: San Ramon Ca.
Up the pressure to 55 and give it a try. Go and look at all the spring bushings front and rear. Check for damage closely. The fronts up high are hard to see. You can also take a tape measure and measure the front of the rear tires to a like point on the fender. If its pretty close on both driver and passenger sides you know its OK. If not there is an issue.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Western NC
How many shops have the complete alignment service kit for these trucks? Not many I'm sure.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: West Texas
No they corrected the symptoms. Not the problem. Big difference. In the hundreds of alignments I have done on these trucks I've only used them once on a wreck job that had some serious frame damage. They can only straighten so much on the frame bender.
oh, the rear end. It can move back and forth just on the spring saddles on each side about 1/4 inch each way. that's a half inch toe on each side that it could be out. if the bushings look good then look at the top of the axle over the tire between the u bolts. There is a hole in the plate there with the centering stud sticking up. If that stud is to the rear of the hole on one side and the front on the other then the axle is shifted. That's an easy fix. the bushings are a pain in the butt and I'd really recommend finding a spring shop. I hate replacing spring bushings.
oh, the rear end. It can move back and forth just on the spring saddles on each side about 1/4 inch each way. that's a half inch toe on each side that it could be out. if the bushings look good then look at the top of the axle over the tire between the u bolts. There is a hole in the plate there with the centering stud sticking up. If that stud is to the rear of the hole on one side and the front on the other then the axle is shifted. That's an easy fix. the bushings are a pain in the butt and I'd really recommend finding a spring shop. I hate replacing spring bushings.
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Junior User
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No they corrected the symptoms. Not the problem. Big difference. In the hundreds of alignments I have done on these trucks I've only used them once on a wreck job that had some serious frame damage. They can only straighten so much on the frame bender.
oh, the rear end. It can move back and forth just on the spring saddles on each side about 1/4 inch each way. that's a half inch toe on each side that it could be out. if the bushings look good then look at the top of the axle over the tire between the u bolts. There is a hole in the plate there with the centering stud sticking up. If that stud is to the rear of the hole on one side and the front on the other then the axle is shifted. That's an easy fix. the bushings are a pain in the butt and I'd really recommend finding a spring shop. I hate replacing spring bushings.
oh, the rear end. It can move back and forth just on the spring saddles on each side about 1/4 inch each way. that's a half inch toe on each side that it could be out. if the bushings look good then look at the top of the axle over the tire between the u bolts. There is a hole in the plate there with the centering stud sticking up. If that stud is to the rear of the hole on one side and the front on the other then the axle is shifted. That's an easy fix. the bushings are a pain in the butt and I'd really recommend finding a spring shop. I hate replacing spring bushings.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2010
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Wow, thanks so much for all your help. It sure gives me a lot to think of. As I said, I have to put the winter tires on anyway, so we'll see if the skinnier tires makes a difference. In the meantime, I'll try and check some of the other issues you guys mentioned. Might be a few days before I get to it, but I'll post the results. Thanks again to you RRranch, and everyone else who answered. Michael.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: West Texas
Just look at that plate on top of the springs that the 2 u bolts go up through. There are 4 nuts on it. Right in the middle is that hole with the centering stud which goes through the spring pack right in the center of that hole. Hopefully in the center.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
this is a pic of my bronco but i am running a sterling so it is exactly the same. the center pin is, well, in the center of the plate
-cutts-