2011 alignment question

mattymax · March 25, 2017

2011 2500HD CC SB 33k miles

Bringing the truck in this week but wanted an opinion.

Got a new set of KO2s a few months back and truck hasn't really been driven that much. In the mean time I put a full set of Bilstein 5100s in along with a front stabalizer. Truck was pulling extremely hard to the right. Took the stabablizer out and put in a NON gas filled Rancho unit. Seems better but it's still pulling to the right. I can really see it when I'm rolling up a stop and applying the brakes, the wheel goes to the right hard.

The rancho stabalizer is just a shock so it's probably not the culprit. Is there a chance I just need an alignment after the new tires and shocks ? Truck only has 33k so doubtful it's brakes or anything else worn out. Could the gas filled stabalizer knocked something out of place ?

Thanks

Matt

montyss · March 26, 2017

try switching the front tires side to side and see if it still pulls to the right or now it pulls to the left after switching them . The one tire my have a belt going south

mattymax · March 26, 2017

Tires have 300 miles on them.

davester · March 26, 2017

Also try removing the stabilizer and seeing if it still pulls.

mattymax · April 4, 2017

Stabalizer removed still pulls to the right.

I switch the front tires and its still pulling to the right. I did notice that the pass side rotor is free spinning and the drivers side won't spin easy. It spins but not as free as the pass side. Talked to my macanic and he said it's normal to have some resistance.

I'm so confused. If the alignment is off would it show its head more during braking ?

Matt

davester · April 5, 2017

before spending the cash on the alignment, maybe check that all the front-end steering bits are working right (ball joints/tie rods/hubs), and then if it all looks ok, get it aligned.

jake111 · April 5, 2017

Your statement " I can really see it when I'm rolling up a stop and applying the brakes, the wheel goes to the right hard." suggests brakes to me. Do you live in the rust belt? If so, then brakes can easily be a problem in 6 years. Not with the rotors or pads, but with the sliders and/or pads not floating.

Since it pulls to the right, it might be that the left front brake isn't working as well as the right side.

If you don't live in the rust belt, then it's less likely . . . but still possible. Not living in a corrosive area I haven't touched the brakes in my 13 year old truck (other than bleeding new brake fluid through it).

mattymax · April 5, 2017

Yea but if the rotors are free spinning then there isn't a slide pin issue. Like I said the drivers side is a bit less spinny than the pass side but it still spins.

sdeeter19555 · April 5, 2017

You could have a caliper getting stiff...taking more force to engage than the other. I have seen this many times in the past...not sure if it's caused by corrosion or seal swell, I assume the latter because it will affect hoses as well.

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mattymax · April 5, 2017

So after a long drive, put the front of the truck up and spin both wheels. Pass side slides free and the drivers side has resistance. Wouldn't it be the other way around for a drift to the right?

mattymax · April 5, 2017

I also don't see any slide pins on the calipers ?

Just rubber caps

sdeeter19555 · April 5, 2017

Pop those caps off, there is a Allen head bolt in there that's the slide pin...

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davester · April 5, 2017

The "pins" are the 2 bolts holding the calipers to the caliper brackets. They go into the rubber accordion boots in the calipers...

They should be able to easily slide in and out of the calipers and there should be grease on them as well (which is why the the rubber boots are there, to hold the grease in and water/dirt out). It's a special grease, not regular chassis grease.

jake111 · April 6, 2017

So after a long drive, put the front of the truck up and spin both wheels. Pass side slides free and the drivers side has resistance. Wouldn't it be the other way around for a drift to the right?

If the driver's side brake isn't working well (rust problems, not sliding, bad caliper), then it may very well drag because it doesn't "float" back to free-wheeling. And then it may not work very well when you hit the brakes. The passenger side works and so it pulls to the right. At least this is one theory.

mattymax · April 9, 2017

UPDATE: Lower drivers side front caliper pin was frozen. Got it out and lubed it all up. All back together and tracks straight. Drifts a bit but it may my imagination or the road. Worst case I'll get an alignment