99 Gmc sierra goes in and out of alignment

[Azv]

So I am beyond confused. My truck is a 99 gmc sierra 2wd.

If i hit a bump 1 out of 50 times my truck will go from completly aligned to pulling hard right.

when this happens it'll pull hard right until i hit the next bump in the road then suddenly go back to being perfectly fine.

I also noticed today if I spin the tires "burnout" trying to leave a parking lot or something. it will 100% of the time pull hard right after. 

it then corrects it self if i hit a bump it the road... 

Edited November 19, 2021 by Azv

[CamGTP]

I think you kinda figured out the problem already. Check some stuff out in the rear end.

 

Like a broken shackle, loose leaf spring bolts or something like that. If the rear axle is shifting, that will cause the whole truck to push hard to one side.

[Azv]

So I just went out and checked everything and nothing seems out of the ordinary.

leaf springs and all bolts and shackles are good. not even any rust. 

[Sharpz]

4 hours ago, Azv said:

So I just went out and checked everything and nothing seems out of the ordinary.

leaf springs and all bolts and shackles are good. not even any rust. 

sometimes the center bolt will break and you wont see it.  Make sure you inspect that area really well.  As cam said this is more then likely your problem area.

[Azv]

Ok will do.

Thank you both btw

[dna9656]

Sorry.

Edited November 19, 2021 by dna9656
wrong answer

[richard wysong]

but a broken center bolt wouldn't correct itself on a bump. have you jacked it up and checked the steering linkage, control arms and ball joints?

[richard wysong]

if it was the rear end shifting it will crab walk and you should be able to tell by looking in your mirrors as its doing it or have someone follow you

[BlaineBug]

Worn out control arm bushings in the front would make the most sense to me.

[Jworks]

Agree with Blaine Bug.  I had bushings go out once like that and it caused "chopping" on the tire.  It ruined the evenness of a tire before I knew it was a problem.  Also have ball joint checked

[Azv]

Ok so I ended up finding that one of the 2 bottom bolts on the front right shock were gone.

it was shifting. I put a new bolt in and so far the truck has not done it again after a few hours of driving.

but I have a new loud clunk noise on the front right so I'll be sure and check out what ya'll have said.

Again thank you for the help!

 

[BlaineBug]

12 minutes ago, Azv said:

Ok so I ended up finding that one of the 2 bottom bolts on the front right shock were gone.

it was shifting. I put a new bolt in and so far the truck has not done it again after a few hours of driving.

but I have a new loud clunk noise on the front right so I'll be sure and check out what ya'll have said.

Again thank you for the help!

 

Sounds like a real piece if it's clunking and missing bolts.  Lots of things it could be.  Tie Rod ends, ball joints, wheel bearings, steering idler arm, control arm bushing and leaf bushings, etc.

[dna9656]

Remember, when you inspect a front end(steering/suspension) get the vehicle up on jack stands. Locate the stands on the FRAME and not under the wheels. The idea is to get the wt. of the truck off the steering and suspension parts, THEN inspect as the parts will be free of any other influences.

[dna9656]

On 11/20/2021 at 7:52 AM, Azv said:

Ok so I ended up finding that one of the 2 bottom bolts on the front right shock were gone.

it was shifting. I put a new bolt in and so far the truck has not done it again after a few hours of driving.

but I have a new loud clunk noise on the front right so I'll be sure and check out what ya'll have said.

Again thank you for the help!

 

Hard to believe that one missing bolt on a shock is causing your problem, I mean the shock does not hold the vehicle up, the spring does. Usually a loose shock is cupping on the tire, or wheel bounce or hop. Alignment is control arm, control arm bushings, broken spring, ball joints, tie rod, Idler arm, shims.

[richard wysong]

dna is wrong, you have to put the stands under the control arms as close to the wheel as possible to unload the ball joints and upper control arm otherwise the spring/ torsion bar keeps tension on them and you can't check them. if it had Mcphereson struts you would jack under the frame to check them or with the spring on the upper control arm you would jack under the frame. any one who does state inspections would know this