Mysterious Pull to Right, Need Bigtime Help!!!
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Mysterious Pull to Right, Need Bigtime Help!!!
Problem:
If you hold the steering wheel straight, the truck drives straight. If you let go, the steering wheel turns to the right on its own and the truck moves to the right toward the shoulder.
Background Story (sorry so long):
I had a set of 305/65/18 BFG AT KO installed on my factory 18 in aluminum wheels at a large chain tire store. I had them replace the first set they tried due to severe balance issues. The second set balanced better but had a significant tire pull to the right. I had them replace the tires again. The pull did not change. I had my dealership align the truck. The pull was a little less but still there. I began to replay the visits to the tire shop in my head to consider possible damage they may have done. I thought about how they used two floor jacks to raise the front. On each side, they placed the floor jack cup under the axle bracket on that half-circle-looking part below the lower of the two horizontal bolts that connect the axle bracket to the radius arm. In other words, on the front, they placed a jack under the point closest to the ground on each front radius arm axle bracket, not under the axle itself as they have done on all my other Superduties. Sorry, I don’t know a technical name for this axle bracket part. They raised one side of the front and then the other with the jacks. Is it possible jacking there bent a radius arm or even my frame causing this pull?
Any suggestions on diagnosing the pull? I’m worried I now have a bungled up truck!
If you hold the steering wheel straight, the truck drives straight. If you let go, the steering wheel turns to the right on its own and the truck moves to the right toward the shoulder.
Background Story (sorry so long):
I had a set of 305/65/18 BFG AT KO installed on my factory 18 in aluminum wheels at a large chain tire store. I had them replace the first set they tried due to severe balance issues. The second set balanced better but had a significant tire pull to the right. I had them replace the tires again. The pull did not change. I had my dealership align the truck. The pull was a little less but still there. I began to replay the visits to the tire shop in my head to consider possible damage they may have done. I thought about how they used two floor jacks to raise the front. On each side, they placed the floor jack cup under the axle bracket on that half-circle-looking part below the lower of the two horizontal bolts that connect the axle bracket to the radius arm. In other words, on the front, they placed a jack under the point closest to the ground on each front radius arm axle bracket, not under the axle itself as they have done on all my other Superduties. Sorry, I don’t know a technical name for this axle bracket part. They raised one side of the front and then the other with the jacks. Is it possible jacking there bent a radius arm or even my frame causing this pull?
Any suggestions on diagnosing the pull? I’m worried I now have a bungled up truck!
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
I don't think the jack placement has anything to do with it. Have you yourself just tried to rotate your tires?
You might want to consider taking it to a truck alignment shop or a shop that can properly do alignments on truck with lift kits and oversized tires. That might help.
You might want to consider taking it to a truck alignment shop or a shop that can properly do alignments on truck with lift kits and oversized tires. That might help.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
I was going to mention tire pressure. I'm amazed at how just a few pounds difference between sides can cause it to want to pull.
On Edit: I am also amazed at just how careless some tire shops can be at getting the tire pressure right. Dad and I were going somewhere once with his '96 F-250 and his slide in camper. We were on our way home and had to go over a pass that we knew was going to be well snow covered and Dad's tires weren't very good. He wanted new tires anyway so we stopped in at Les Schwab and he had a set of Toyo M-55's put on. Once we got back on the road Dad was pissed. That truck was all over the place, wandering, difficult to control, etc. He was about ready to turn around and go back and get his old tires back when it occurred to me to check the pressure. There was 75 in one side, and 90 in the other. They had two guys work on the truck, one did one side and one did the other. Apparently the one guys gauge was waaay off. We put the proper 80 in each (we had a heavy camper on), and the truck drove perfectly. He's been very happy with those tires ever since.
On Edit: I am also amazed at just how careless some tire shops can be at getting the tire pressure right. Dad and I were going somewhere once with his '96 F-250 and his slide in camper. We were on our way home and had to go over a pass that we knew was going to be well snow covered and Dad's tires weren't very good. He wanted new tires anyway so we stopped in at Les Schwab and he had a set of Toyo M-55's put on. Once we got back on the road Dad was pissed. That truck was all over the place, wandering, difficult to control, etc. He was about ready to turn around and go back and get his old tires back when it occurred to me to check the pressure. There was 75 in one side, and 90 in the other. They had two guys work on the truck, one did one side and one did the other. Apparently the one guys gauge was waaay off. We put the proper 80 in each (we had a heavy camper on), and the truck drove perfectly. He's been very happy with those tires ever since.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
All great points guys. I'l providea little more info. I did equalize tire pressure and made sure the hubs are not manually locked. Still have the pull. I have not check out U-joints but the truck only has 6,000 miles on it!
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Allegheny Mountains, VA
Sneaky, I've been in your shoes buddy. The main difference being my SD is much, much older. I feel your pain, however.
Here's a link (to another link...lol) from another time I've thrown in my $0.02
Good luck!!
Stone
Here's a link (to another link...lol) from another time I've thrown in my $0.02
Good luck!!
Stone
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
SO many possibilites 
Did it start after shop visit ? go beat them up !
otherwise...
Tire pressure
hubs
tires themselves (rotate to see if it changes)
4 wheel alignment ('leaning' one way or the other)
wheel bearings
SIDE WINDs - I know obvious
Frame damage and worse...
If not the obvious, ask around for a good shop !
Good luck with it !
(The most obvious ---- Don't let go of the wheel to grab your girlfriend while driving!)
Did it start after shop visit ? go beat them up !
otherwise...
Tire pressure
hubs
tires themselves (rotate to see if it changes)
4 wheel alignment ('leaning' one way or the other)
wheel bearings
SIDE WINDs - I know obvious
Frame damage and worse...
If not the obvious, ask around for a good shop !
Good luck with it !
(The most obvious ---- Don't let go of the wheel to grab your girlfriend while driving!)
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,825
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From: Az
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Allegheny Mountains, VA
Oops, I just realized I did not post the thread I mentioned above.
Here you go:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ml#post7097086
Stone
Here you go:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ml#post7097086
Stone
