Pull!!!!

[gtb129]

I would love to get some advice from anyone that may have a little insight for me. I am having an issue with my truck pulling to the right...

So I bought my truck in March this year (Love it). A few weeks after I installed the Daystar lift that is currently still on my truck. I took the truck for an alignment the next day. They could not do he alignment because the LCA bushings were bad (siezed, torn, shitty). I replaced them that week with energy suspension polys. I also replaced the alignment bolts, nuts, etc because the shop rung the nut off and did not tell me. At this point my 285s had arrived, I finally got the alignment accomplished and the tires put on (Different shop than the one that rung the bolts off). HERE IS WHERE MY PROBLEM BEGINS.

After it was done, I drove home, and the wheels threw all of the weights, and the truck was pulling SLIGHTLY to the right. If I held the wheel straight, the truck would track straight, but if I let go, the wheel would turn, and the truck would pull right SLIGHTLY.

The tires ended up being out of round, and I sold them to a guy with a mud truck. The pull is still there however. I could not convince the guys to redo the alignment because the tires were bad, and they claimed the tires were causing the pull. I never got the alignment redone.

The pull has gotten worse since then. The pull is always there from about 10mph. It is worse when braking, especially when braking hard. It is also worse when driving interstate speeds ~70mph. THE TRUCK ONLY PULLS WHEN I LET THE STEERING WHEEL GO. If I hold it in the middle, It dives straight. This is the only reason that I doubt an alignment issue at all. I need to know where to start without spending a fortune as I have a big trip in less than month.

My theories:
alignment (obviously)
wheel bearing (no noticabe noise)
something in the brakes

Any advice is helpful.

Thanks, GREG

All of the ball joints, and tie rods are good. No leaking or play. Stock UCAs. Callipers are good as well.

 

[brianhuntRVA]

This might be obvious but could the crown of the road be causing this. In my case at least, I pull the the right a bit when in the right lane. But then to the left a bit in the left lane.

 

[gtb129]

This might be obvious but could the crown of the road be causing this. In my case at least, I pull the the right a bit when in the right lane. But then to the left a bit in the left lane.

That was my first thought when I first got the alignment. But no. Even if I am on the same road, driving in the opposing lane (opposite side of the crown), the pull is still present. Thank you very much for your help though..

When I let go of the steering wheel, the steering jerks to the right about .75'' if that is significant to the diagnosis.

 

[bergs]

Based on the experiences I've had with mine, I'm looking at brakes.

Find an open area free of traffic (industrial park) and give a the wheel a few good rips left and right at speed then see if there is any improvement. Don't touch the brakes and use the transmission to slow you down if need be. I have had success in spreading the pads enough to be able to drive home by doing this.

Another method to diagnose would be to travel under 1mph on a level surface, flick the trans into Neutral and see what coasting feels like. Pay attention to how the vehicle feels as it's slowing to a stop. Too difficult for me to describe beyond that. All I can say is you will know if a caliper is binding.

 

[brianhuntRVA]

Well I would be suspicious of the brake calipers. I know you said they are ok. But you also said the pull has gotten worse. So maybe one was sticking a bit and now its really sticking.

I might also be suspicious of the alignment. You said the wheels threw the weights off which I've never heard of happening and it sounds like the shop may have been pretty incompetent. And it sounds like you didn't have this issue until after their alignment. Some major chains do free alignment checks. Couldn't hurt to have it checked. Just be aware that with stock UCA's your castor may not be in spec no matter what you do.

Last thing, and probably the most simple and obvious, is the tire pressure even on all tires? You could rotate your tires left to right to see if anything changes.

 

[techno]

Check the rear brakes too.

 

[gtb129]

Based on the experiences I've had with mine, I'm looking at brakes.

Find an open area free of traffic (industrial park) and give a the wheel a few good rips left and right at speed then see if there is any improvement. Don't touch the brakes and use the transmission to slow you down if need be. I have had success in spreading the pads enough to be able to drive home by doing this.

Another method to diagnose would be to travel under 1mph on a level surface, flick the trans into Neutral and see what coasting feels like. Pay attention to how the vehicle feels as it's slowing to a stop. Too difficult for me to describe beyond that. All I can say is you will know if a caliper is binding.

Well I would be suspicious of the brake calipers. I know you said they are ok. But you also said the pull has gotten worse. So maybe one was sticking a bit and now its really sticking.

I might also be suspicious of the alignment. You said the wheels threw the weights off which I've never heard of happening and it sounds like the shop may have been pretty incompetent. And it sounds like you didn't have this issue until after their alignment. Some major chains do free alignment checks. Couldn't hurt to have it checked. Just be aware that with stock UCA's your castor may not be in spec no matter what you do.

Last thing, and probably the most simple and obvious, is the tire pressure even on all tires? You could rotate your tires left to right to see if anything changes.

The calipers are good. I've personally manipulated the pistons with hand strength. All of them. The pads on the front are just shy of half life, and the rears are about a month old.

The UCA's could be causing an alignment issue I suppose, but I've not heard of a daystar kit causing this issue. I'm intending to get uniball UCA soon, but have no choice but to wait until after my trip. Maybe the shop did drop the ball. Who knows

Check the rear brakes too.

I was in the rear brakes a month ago.

Honestly, I really appreciate the help guys. If there are any other thoughts or ideas, throw them at me. It's hard to brainstorm by myself.

 

[gtb129]

Does anyone have any thoughts about this being a wheel bearing issue? It is the only part of the front suspension/drivetrain that I don't have any experience with replacing or diagnosing. Are my symptoms even indicative of a bad wheel bearing?

I can tell you all that there is no play in the wheel and tire up/down left or right when lifted off of the ground.

It feels like someone is trying to pull the steering wheel from me. But the wheel only rotates about .75'' to the right and stops (all when moving)

 

[bergs]

I've had two sets of calipers bind out of nowhere. Don't rule it out.

 

[gtb129]

I will check them this weekend to satisfy everyone. Does a wheel bearing issue remotely resemble an issue like this? How can I check them?


[MENTION=77155]bergs[/MENTION], when I put the transmission in drive, and let off of the brakes, the truck pulls right. Feels like it it is caught in the lip. (If you fish)

I should add that I do my own mechanical work, and have a lot of experience with working on vehicles.

 

[preacher35]

I will check them this weekend to satisfy everyone. Does a wheel bearing issue remotely resemble an issue like this? How can I check them?


[MENTION=77155]bergs[/MENTION], when I put the transmission in drive, and let off of the brakes, the truck pulls right. Feels like it it is caught in the lip. (If you fish)

I should add that I do my own mechanical work, and have a lot of experience with working on vehicles.

Typically, you can audibly hear a bad wheel bearing. Usually, it sounds like a propeller aircraft that gets louder and louder with speed, NOT engine RPM. That being said, you can jack up the suspect wheel, grab the assembly and push/pull toward and back from the middle of the vehicle. If there is any play, you probably have a bad bearing. Other things that could cause jacked up alignment are:
a slightly bent rear control arm
worn control arm bushings
worn steering knuckles

If your rig is a 4X4 there could be other issues that could cause your problem.

 

[gtb129]

Typically, you can audibly hear a bad wheel bearing. Usually, it sounds like a propeller aircraft that gets louder and louder with speed, NOT engine RPM. That being said, you can jack up the suspect wheel, grab the assembly and push/pull toward and back from the middle of the vehicle. If there is any play, you probably have a bad bearing. Other things that could cause jacked up alignment are:
a slightly bent rear control arm
worn control arm bushings
worn steering knuckles

If your rig is a 4X4 there could be other issues that could cause your problem.

I'll give these things a glance tomorrow. I should have time to lift the tires, and check for play (again. I checked it a month ago when I did my brakes) Fortunately I don't hear any sounds that vary by speed though. I guess I can check the rear control arm with a straight edge? Ball joints are good. No play, or bleeding grease. What are your thoughts on the 4x4 system? 2003 v8 4wd

 

[bergs]

I will check them this weekend to satisfy everyone. Does a wheel bearing issue remotely resemble an issue like this? How can I check them?


@bergs, when I put the transmission in drive, and let off of the brakes, the truck pulls right. Feels like it it is caught in the lip. (If you fish)

I should add that I do my own mechanical work, and have a lot of experience with working on vehicles.

With a wheel bearing you'll typically hear a growl that changes with speed. It gets worse with distance traveled.

Follow the steps I outlined above with regards to coasting in Neutral. There will be no need to jack the vehicle as a binding caliper can be felt from the cabin.

To add a little more info to the brake thing, I towed my tractor to a job that was 45 miles from my starting point. Worked the job, got loaded up at the end of the day and hopped on the highway to head home. Within two miles of a subtle tap on the brakes I smelled that unmistakable smell of hot brake pads....and it got much worse after stopping for the toll booths 5 miles after that and my truck was pulling very hard to the right.
I performed the swerve move I mentioned above, albeit carefully with the tractor in tow, and did not use the brakes until I arrived home some 30 miles down the road. The pull was reduced slightly but that was the 2nd pair of calipers that bound out of nowhere.

I know it doesn't make sense given what you are thinking but it's not something I'd ever discount with these vehicles considering how common the issue arises.

 

[gtb129]

If anyone is still following, I checked the brakes and they are fine. Nothing is loose either. The cv boots are torn, but the joints have no play either. I'll just do another alignment at a different place. Hopefully I can get some uni-ball UCAs first. Hell I might just do a complete overhall on the suspension components. Thats what I did last time this happened and SOMETHING worked lol. Thanks to everyone that took the time to reply

 

[strictlike]

I pull the the right a bit when in the right lane. But then to the left a bit in the left lane.

 

[brianhuntRVA]

Anyone else noticing an influx of the spam comments like the one above where they just repeat part of someone else's post in the thread? Whats the end game here?

 

[gtb129]

Anyone else noticing an influx of the spam comments like the one above where they just repeat part of someone else's post in the thread? Whats the end game here?

Whats the end game here?











:happy:

 

[t-rex grrr]

I too have a similar issue. When driving on a straight road, the steering wheel is turned to the left slightly in order to go straight. If I let go of the steering wheel, it'll center by itself, but it'll begin pulling to the right.

Tie rods, CVs, LCAs, wheel bearings, and rotors and pads were all changed, an alignment made, but the pull remains.

Maybe it was like that when I first bought the truck, or maybe not. It's still annoying, but at this point I'm stumped and just try to ignore it.

 

[gtb129]

I too have a similar issue. When driving on a straight road, the steering wheel is turned to the left slightly in order to go straight. If I let go of the steering wheel, it'll center by itself, but it'll begin pulling to the right.

Tie rods, CVs, LCAs, wheel bearings, and rotors and pads were all changed, an alignment made, but the pull remains.

Maybe it was like that when I first bought the truck, or maybe not. It's still annoying, but at this point I'm stumped and just try to ignore it.

When your steering wheel is centered you should be driving straight (obviously). If you are pulling while the steering wheel is in the middle, I would be certain of an alignment issue.

My issue is that when holding in the middle, I drive straight, but if I let go, the steering wheel jumps right, and my truck pulls right. That made me believe that I might have a problem in a caliper, wheel bearing, or a ghost in the truck.

You should do what I am going to do. Find somewhere local that will test the alignment for free. Have them give you the specs. Find the appropriate specs here somewhere (To make sure they are not trying to take your money). Get the alignment done if it needs it.

I'm hoping it's that simple for me. I am almost certain that the alignment is your issue though.

 

[t-rex grrr]

When your steering wheel is centered you should be driving straight (obviously). If you are pulling while the steering wheel is in the middle, I would be certain of an alignment issue.

My issue is that when holding in the middle, I drive straight, but if I let go, the steering wheel jumps right, and my truck pulls right. That made me believe that I might have a problem in a caliper, wheel bearing, or a ghost in the truck.

You should do what I am going to do. Find somewhere local that will test the alignment for free. Have them give you the specs. Find the appropriate specs here somewhere (To make sure they are not trying to take your money). Get the alignment done if it needs it.

I'm hoping it's that simple for me. I am almost certain that the alignment is your issue though.

I've had multiple alignments done within the past few years, and by various places too to rule out mechanic error.

Our issue is similar in the sense that if we hold the steering wheel at a certain place, it'll drive straight. Mine also moves to the right once I let go, which causes the truck to veer right.

If you figure out what it is, keep me posted.