Quote:
Originally Posted by zguy1
Btw, regarding an alignment. I'm under the impression that an alignment is not needed on our trucks since it is not a MacPherson style strut. Maybe I am wrong on that though.
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Incorrect. Regardless of IFS type, front alignment is needed periodically.
There is no alignment for the rear. If your rear axle is out of alignment it's due to a manufacturing defect or, more likely, damage from an impact.
Some sources of movement other than worn shocks are:
-Worn control arm bushings
-worn ball joints
-worn tie rod ends (inner, outer, or both)
-worn sway bar bushings (I think you'll notice this as noise if everything else is ok).
- worn wheel bearing
To check our ball joints, you have to unload the joints off the suspension. Jack up the wheel you're checking by the lower control arm. Once the tire is off the ground a little, you can use a pry bar and lift up from the bottom of the tire. If it moves up and down slightly and/or clunks, then you have a worn ball joint.
To check for a bad wheel bearing, grab the tire at the 12:00 and 6:00 positions and try to move it by pushing/pulling. If it moves or makes clunking noises then the wheel bearing has play.
From this position you can also jiggle the tire by grabbing at the 3:00 and 9:00 positions to check for play in the tire rod ends. If you get movement before the steering wheel turns, then the tie rod end is worn.
The reason you jack/support the wheel at the LCA is because when its supported at the frame with a jack stand (wheel hanging/drooping), the suspension is pushing down against the ball joints so they will feel tight even if they are worn (unless the are really really worn). See this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkHeDQomX0k