Front End Alignment:Where to Start?
#1
Front End Alignment:Where to Start?
I tried searching the front end alignment threads, but I couldn't find what I was looking for. I've got an 88 4x4 Truck with 33X12.5X15 tires/rims. It was shaking when I would hit bumps, so I replaced the idler arm and it helped. Now I'm working on the pitman arm. The driver's side tie rods look fairly new, so I am gonna go back and change the ones on the passenger side.
Anyways, I'm looking to fix my alignment when I do my tie rods. It pulls to the driver's side. The front tires measure 60'' in the front and about 60 1/2" in the back (I think I need to re-measure the back though). The tie rods are showing 8 threads on the passenger side and 3 threads on the driver's side. To be honest, I'm not sure if that is even relevant in the alignment or if you can tell me anything from the info I provided. But where should I start?
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Brian
Anyways, I'm looking to fix my alignment when I do my tie rods. It pulls to the driver's side. The front tires measure 60'' in the front and about 60 1/2" in the back (I think I need to re-measure the back though). The tie rods are showing 8 threads on the passenger side and 3 threads on the driver's side. To be honest, I'm not sure if that is even relevant in the alignment or if you can tell me anything from the info I provided. But where should I start?
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Brian
#2
So...you could start by fixing that.
#3
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Oddly, "pulling to one side" is usually not an alignment issue. Mis-set toe won't do it (mis-set camber can, but that's not as common).
What will cause noticeable pulling is a low (pressure) tire. Check that first; you should be checking all of them regularly anyway. Another cause can be a bad wheel bearing; just jack it up and turn the wheel by hand. If you feel anything there's a problem.
If the steering damper http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...g/16steer0.pdf fails, that can increase shaking. But at that point I would have it aligned by a regular shop. With your asymmetric tie rod ends you could have some other problem lurking in there, and you don't want to cover it up with a new steering damper.
What will cause noticeable pulling is a low (pressure) tire. Check that first; you should be checking all of them regularly anyway. Another cause can be a bad wheel bearing; just jack it up and turn the wheel by hand. If you feel anything there's a problem.
If the steering damper http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...g/16steer0.pdf fails, that can increase shaking. But at that point I would have it aligned by a regular shop. With your asymmetric tie rod ends you could have some other problem lurking in there, and you don't want to cover it up with a new steering damper.
#4
Well, I didn't fool with the tie rods because I can't get past the pitman arm. I've fixed the shaking, but since I didn't know what I was doing my steering wheel is upside down. And I don't have hardly any right turning radius.
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