I have searched for a problem like I am having but I have had no luck finding a good fix for it. My truck pulls to the right and dives to the right under braking. I have checked the tire PSI and the brakes for drag and those are OK. Even though the truck pulls to the right, I have much less response in the steering when trying to turn right. In other words I have to hold the wheel at the 2 O'clock position to the right to get the the same response as holding the wheel at the 11 O'clock position to the left. It seems like the truck waits a second before it responses to wheel being turned to the right but not to the left. I checked the trac bar and it has no play in it at all. When I center the wheel and look at the tires from the front it looks like the passenger side tire has a small toe out condition while the drivers side tire is pointed straight ahead. I am wondering if there is a quick do it yourself fix or am I in need of some major repairs. I am reluctant about buying new parts for the steering if they are not going to fix the problem. I hope someone will chime in with a similar situation that they had fixed

Thank
Matt

 

It sounds like you already know what your problem is. If it looks like it is out of align by the neked eye it probably is. Get your front end aligned and then go from there.

 

what component controls the alignment of the wheels to each other? Can I align it myself until I get the desired feel and steering I want? I think an alignment shop will have a field day and try to sell me more than what I need.
I got hosed one time by a repair shop so its hard for me to let anybody I don't know touch my truck.

 

There are adjustments on the drag link and the tie rod. You can get it real close with a tape measure by measuring the distance between the front of the tires and the distance between the rear of the tires. You can get more technical with some help by using a long STRAIGHT edge and measuring between the ends. This only still will get you in the ballpark and most front end specs call for a certain amount of toe-in. That is why I would get it to a good front end shop, they will have a the specs and they use computers to do the alignment and it is mo betta than the ol' tape measure.

 

thanks for the reply. I have good tire wear so i don't want to mess things up to much. I may try to make a few small adjustments and see how it goes. I will continue to look for a good alignment shop. Anyone know of a good shop on the northeast side of Atlanta, Ga?

 

Dieseldog, my truck drives simular to what you just described. i have approx. 162k on a 99 4x4 with all original front suspension, ball joints and all. Today, i replaced the track bar with a NAPA replacement and the truck drives like it did when i purchased it new. I'm not saying you don't have an alignment problem, but i had my alignment done around 115k and when this was happening i thought it was out again. You might want to try the track bar replacement. Good luck !!!! Food for thought guy

 

I just adjusted my steering box on my truck and it made a world of a difference. I thought the box was junk but now its just as tight as the day I picked the truck up.
DM01