New suspension parts not cooperating

[sahls01gmc]

Hey guys (and gals), it's been a while since I've checked in.  My 2001 2500 got new front suspension pieces, and now I'm having issues getting it to stay aligned, and the suspension seems to be awfully stiff.  I replaced all the pieces myself, so I easily suspect I did something wrong.

 

First off, let's start with the alignment (at least the toe).  I replaced the pitman arm, idler arm, and both tie rod ends with new ball joints.  The power steering gearbox was also replaced at the same time.  Ever since then, I can't get the alignment to line up and stay.  I can get it close (by eye at least), and then as soon as I drive around the block, it's completely off when I get back in the driveway.  Has anyone ever run across this issue before? I can keep the steering wheel straight and get the toe to almost dead straight, but once I drive it the steering wheel isn't straight anymore.   I want to see if I can at least get it close to straight before I take it to an alignment shop.  I've also noticed that when I turn the wheel to the left, the left side of the truck dips down.  Turning to the right causes the right side to dip down.  I'm talking at least an inch or 2 as soon as you turn the wheel.  Shouldn't it be able to turn sitting in the driveway without affecting the ride height?

 

Second, the suspension seems to be really stiff.  The items replaced were complete upper control arms (new bushings and ball joints installed) and lower ball joints.  I have brand new shocks installed, but it feels like the front has no shocks at all when going over rolling bumps.  It bounced so much that it broke one of the front sway bar end links, most likely the other one as well.  Not sure what else to report on this side, I'm afraid to drive it much with the steering being so all over the place.

 

 

If anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it.  If pictures would help, let me know what specific areas you would like a picture of.  Thanks!

[Doug_Scott]

If you are absolutely sure you replaced the old parts with the correct replacement parts, then get the alignment done professionally.  You likely have the caster and or camber so far off it is causing issues.  Forget trying to eye up an alignment.  Double check that the parts you put on are exactly the same as the ones you took off first.  Pitman and idler arm must be the same length in order to maintain alignment on turns.  And yes, ride height will change side to side on full lock, just not normally severe enough for the average person to notice. 

[sahls01gmc]

Thanks Doug.  I did verify each part was identical before installing them.  I actually did have the incorrect pitman arm to begin with, and did get the correct part before starting.  The only suspension part not replaced was the lower control arm bushings.  I just can't figure out why the front end bounces like a boat rolling over waves long after I pass the bump in the road.  As far as the truck raising and lowering when you turn the wheel, this happens when you move the wheel 90 degrees in either direction, as in 1/4 of a turn.  Yes, I can get the truck to dip almost 2" when I turn the wheel only a quarter of a turn.  It doesn't drop any more if I turn the wheel more, but it's still shocking. 

[Doug_Scott]

If the castor is way off side to side it can create some odd actions.  A good example is the shopping cart with that one front wheel that just flaps side to side instead of tracking straight.  Your upper control arms likely have cam bolts holding them in.   Marking their position won't  really matter much if you then change the control arm.  Did you leave all pivot bolts loose and then torque to spec with wheels on ground and full weight of vehicle on them?  Torquing with suspension hanging can create issues due to bushings being under twisting pressure.  Don't worry about trying to make it easier for the alignment shop, they won't even notice.  

If it were me, I would leave the truck on the ground, and loosen all the control arm bolts, bounce the truck up and down, then torque all the bolts.  Then off to the alignment shop. 

[sahls01gmc]

That sounds exactly like what the problem is!  I did torque them in the air.  It did feel like it was twisting the bushings, which I think was causing the ride to feel like it was bouncing up and down.

 

I'll loosen everything up, bounce it around as best as I can, then re-torque from there.  I'll post up results after I tackle that.

 

Thanks Doug, you are still just as helpful as I remember from almost 10 years ago.