Last week, my truck started pulling to the right a bit and the steering wheel was cocked to the left. So, I drove it for a week just to make sure the roads weren't weird, checked my tire pressure and decided to take it into the dealer for an alignment.

Drove away from the dealer...SAME thing. I called them right away and asked if they actually did anything. I brought it back the next day - they drove it and saw it was doing what I was saying. They checked it again (on two alignment machines they said) and it is centered on the machine but on the road it does the same thing. They said they checked joints, hubs, etc...all is within spec. They suggested perhaps the steering gear since it is a bit loose but I refused .... it is not that loose to me.

Just for fun, this afternoon, I swapped the rear tires around to the front to see if the tires had worn "funny" and it is the same thing. So, what do I do now?

Take it to another alignment shop? Put it on their racks...if it is off and I have to pay, get a refund from the dealer? Any other suggestions?

Also, if you live in Bryan/College Station and have experience with a good alignment shop - let me know. NOT Mansel's - I had a bad experience with them 2 years ago. Thanks for all the help........

Rami

 

if this happened all of a sudden then it sounds to me like something broke or cracked. have you checked the coil springs? i had one crack one time and it took me forever to figure out what was wrong. if this sounds lame then just disregard it. i really can't think of anything else offhand that could break and not be obvious other than bearings, and surely they checked for that. good luck.

 

You didn't say but, did you rotate the tires when it started happening?

 

No, had the tires on there for about 4 months already then it started..sound like an uncalibrated alignment machine to anyone else?

 

No, it sounds like a typical 98.5 front end.
After I rebuild my trans, I'm going to mod the front end/suspention/brakes and everything else that sucks on these things. I'm sick of the way this thing drives.
I was starting to think it was just mine until I found this site.

 

Is the rear axle out of alignment causing it to dog track? Had an old Dodge do that after wheeling it too hard and the center bolt in the leaf pack busted.

 

Mine started pulling hard to the right and I have a worn out ball joint an the track bar and a worn out tie rod. I have ordered Lukes Links hopefully they will be here tomorrow.

 

it is your track bar had the same thing going on with mine and replacing the track bar took care of it.

 

Your rear axle is skewed - jack it, loosen all 8 of the nuts, see if maybe one of the spring center-bolts is sheared

 

This just started all by itself?? Are YOU the only one who drives this truck?

 

NeverMind,, I see in you Sig you are talking about a 2WD,, Cause my 4WD drives like a dream,front ends tight (just turned 200000),, Of Course after Ball Joints,Luke's Link,Shocks,

hahaha

 

A long shot, do you have a brake hanging up? When you hit the brakes hard it ought pull the other way if a caliper is hanging.

 

My 99 does the same thing. If you find a fix, let me know. I didn't realize there was a known problem???? Can someone point me in the right direction for additional info on this???

I've replace the springs, shocks and all ball joints. I've had the front end aligned and have no unusual wear on the tires, but she still likes to drift to the right.

 

It does pull when I hit the brakes hard......but it has always done that since I've had the truck. Hmm....what to look for?

Thanks and keep the suggestions coming...

Rami

 

it may be the steering box, mine's loose, but it dont pull. i hit a deer in the 93(just cought it with the frount tire ) and it busted the rubber bushing in the frount leaf mount. so dont rule out it being a coil.


jack the whole frount end up and see if move one tire at a time, or see how hard the steering links are to move.