alignment headache

rtbrick · May 12, 2003

I recently added the Ford keys and LT 285/75 16s and had an alignment. The guy was working on the alignment and got everything about set and asked me if the truck was pulling to the left because the right side camber was good, but the left was one degree out (I did not ask if pos or neg). I said no, but the toe-in was pretty bad so I may not have noticed. After I left I noticed a gradual left pull, so I took it back today and he lined it up even. Now I have a slightly stronger pull to the right. He said it might do that.

My question is how to correct this? Is it something I did or are alignments just a pain? Only other alignment trouble I have had was on a '87 IROC I had. Put bigger meats on and never did get the alignment just right. Do I just keep going back until it drives straight? I suppose I should take it back and do the adjust and test drive back to back, so he can correct it right there. Right?

Anybody else have alignment blues?

Tweeter400 · May 12, 2003

Are our trucks supposed to have a gradual pull to the right? When I had mine aligned, they told me it was a "saftey feature", that way you truck would go away from oncoming traffic if that case ever happened.

Where these guys giving me a runaround? Just a thought.

lrymal · May 12, 2003

Where these guys giving me a runaround? Just a thought.

On a level road, these trucks are supposed to drive straight. They are giving y'all the run around. These trucks are excellent at tracking straight.

You should have a slight favoring toward the lower side of the road, such as when a road is higher in the center (crowning). A road is this way so that rain will drain off the road. This can explain why it seems a vehicle always pulls to the right.

But, there is nothing to it about a vehicle pulling to the right as a "safety feature". It is a big huge fire-breathing bull that they are feeding y'all.

Drop them. Go somewhere else. Ask around as to who in your area has a certified alignment shop and uses real technicians with up to date equipment.

Shaners · May 12, 2003

I agree that a correct alignment should go straight on a flat road... (We don't have any around here). A vehicle will be sensitive to the crown of the road, and that is normal.

As you increase the "footprint" of the tire, it will become even more sensitive to the undulations in the road.

If your truck has a constant pulling to the left then there is definatly an alignment problem. If it slightly drifts to the right, then it could be the road or an alignment problem.

The best advice I can give you is to make sure that your tire pressures are good before you have it checked again. Just a few lbs of pressure difference in any tire (F-F or R-R) can cas a problem. Also, if you don't already have a good tire gage, then spend $15 and get one....

fennsz · May 13, 2003

should pull slightly right due to the crown of the road. i test mine out on a two lane interstate. I go in the right lane and it pulls slightly right and then I go in the left and it pulls slightly left. Sounds right to me...In the parking lot it will go straight forever until a car gets in the way.

Z71mudder · May 13, 2003

Yeah, its kindof annoying to me cause my steering wheel stays barely tilted to the left during everyday driving! After the lift especially the tires want to wander with the curve of the road! Its not that bad though!! I can get on the interstate and it is nice and strait but still annoying most of the time on local roads!!