truck does not drive straight anymore...

Chevysousa · July 29, 2015

I tell yeah this is getting really annoying and its gotten to the point where i do NOT want to highway drive anymore... someone mentioned it could be this...

Tramlining: Coping with the Ruts in the Road

it could be that? but this issue im feeling is 100x worse. my truck has a 4" fabtech suspension lift with the Uni ball UCA.

on highway my driving is constant swerving back and fourth the truck hits a groove in the road and just dives into it! its annoying the truck slightly pulls left as well. When i got the arms installed i got a alignment right after it. And no problems were said. This is a bad issue and like i said ...i don't even want to drive on the highway! also i mostly feel it at 90KM + i dont want to wast money and get another alignment for no reason...maybe it could be a balancing issue? maybe i need an alignment NO IDEA! im no mechanic either so im stumped on what this could be i'd really appreciate your guy's information on this.

Thank you.

Robert.jean1 · July 29, 2015

You describe an alignment issue. I would first verify all my parts are tight and then check air pressure in tires. After that I would take it somewhere other than who originally did an alignment and have it fixed.

DaveH71 · July 29, 2015

You need a proper alignment done by a qualified tech. Sounds like a TOE issue from what you are describing.

Take it somewhere with a reputation for good alignments.

Spurshot · July 29, 2015

I agree. Alignment.

I'll bet the wheels are toe'd out. Very easy to check toe setting. Jack the front wheels off the ground, spin the tire and scratch a consistent line on the tread all the way around by holding your hand steady near the ground. Do it on both tires. Set the truck back down. Drive it and park again. Have a friend help you measure as far up the tire as you can while keeping the tape measure straight, both front and back of the tires. The front side of the tires should be closer together (toe in) by about 1/8" or thereabouts.

Chevysousa · July 30, 2015

I agree. Alignment.

I'll bet the wheels are toe'd out. Very easy to check toe setting. Jack the front wheels off the ground, spin the tire and scratch a consistent line on the tread all the way around by holding your hand steady near the ground. Do it on both tires. Set the truck back down. Drive it and park again. Have a friend help you measure as far up the tire as you can while keeping the tape measure straight, both front and back of the tires. The front side of the tires should be closer together (toe in) by about 1/8" or thereabouts.

thankyou guys so much so i should really just get an alignment and mention about the toe being out.?

Spurshot · July 30, 2015

thankyou guys so much so i should really just get an alignment and mention about the toe being out.?

Yes. A good alignment shop will listen to you describe your problem and likely test drive it to verify the issue. I think your issue may be a simple one....the shop that aligned it last maligned it. Or misaligned it. That would be a simple fix.

Silverado915 · August 2, 2015

All of these responses are correct. It sounds like alignment to me also. Have another shop check it and I'll bet it's off. Ask to see it while it on the alignment rack. I always pull people out of the waitng room to show them. Some techs are different then others.

fondupot · August 2, 2015

Make sure you get a shop with GOOD equipment and GOOD technicians. Typically the Hunter brand laser alignment machines are the best. But it also takes a good alignment technician to get it right.

Spurshot · August 2, 2015

While newer, better equipment is always good, I have a shop I've been going to for 40+ years that uses old style trammels and gauges. They run production class race cars and do alignments for racers in the L.A. area. Good mechanics at this shop make the difference.

I recall when I was in my late teens or early 20s, I borrowed my brother's 1975 4x4 Silverado to go on a out of state hunt trip with a friend. My brother had just put tires on it and he instructed me to get it aligned before I left. The day was hectic. The 'good alignment shop' was booked. So I took it to a Mark C Bloom tire store for an alignment. I mean, c'mon, what's to align on a solid axle 4x4 other than toe? One simple adjustment of the tierod. Right? I watched this bozo fart around for nearly an hour on the truck. He clearly didn't have a clue what he was doing. I'd watched my good shop many times and knew the drill. We got out of there, drove to my house, jacked it, scribed the tires and measured the toe. It had a 1/2" of toe out. I adjusted the tierod and got the correct toe in and we were on our way. It took me maybe 10 minutes for that.

Chevysousa · August 3, 2015

amazing responses! i go in tomorrow and decided to go with the dealer ship to get it done! very nice people as well. 89$+ tax. I will be mentioning that im possibly toe'd out? correct ?

DaveH71 · August 3, 2015

Just mention that you want an alignment and what the truck is doing exactly.

No need to mention toe in or toe out, or camber, or caster. When they put it on the rack, a good tech will immediately see what the problem is.

They should take it for a test drive before and after the alignment as well.

Chevysousa · August 4, 2015

okay does this have anything to do with anything? reset steering wheel position sensor and yaw sensor to 0?

Chevysousa · August 19, 2015

so i went to the dealer to get it fixed and it was toed out a bit but nothing to drastic for the truck to do that..the guy said they drove it and it was fine obviously....i didnt have much time to actually highway drive it until today ...it was JUST HORRIBLE! im constantly just steering and jolting right left because my truck just will randomly go left slightly...then ill fix my self..then go right slightly.....dont even ask me to pass a vehicle...its like im getting struck by massive 100km winds! its insane! unable to drive on highway...so i called them and freaked and they said it might be my steering collum or something/ :$ whatever its going in on monday!!!

sahls01gmc · August 19, 2015

Does it seem to move after hitting bumps? Could be a steering stabilizer issue.

Go back to the dealer and have them ride with you on the highway. Then, just to be fair, let them drive with you in the passenger seat just to make sure it does the same thing.

Chevysousa · August 20, 2015

Does it seem to move after hitting bumps? Could be a steering stabilizer issue.

Go back to the dealer and have them ride with you on the highway. Then, just to be fair, let them drive with you in the passenger seat just to make sure it does the same thing.

yes a bump will nock it right or left usually ....its annoying and i feel like my steering wheel is not stiff like its just has too much give....tbh i have no idea ! just i payed 60,00$ for my truck and it can barly drive? like what the heck