Inconsistant pull?

Chest Rockwell

Chest Rockwell

Active member
Recently noticed a condition on the Ty that seems to be getting a little worse, or I'm just getting more anal about it. Seems like I can hit a bump, and the truck will pull to one side, maybe driver's side. A few miles down the road I can hit another bump, and the rest of the day the Ty will pull to the passenger side. Whatever is causing this pulls hard enough to overcome the crown in the road, if it's pulling to the driver's side. I've taken it to a shop, and the ball joints seem to check out alright. I'm replacing the tie rod ends tomorrow, inner and outer, and the pitman arm looks fresh. Could the front diff have anything to do with it? On a boost launch the front end gets kinda squirly, not sure if anyone else noticed it at Homecoming. Ideas?
 
M

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: Inconsistant pull?

I noticed when you locked up your brakes, smoked a tire, and almost hit a curb :lol:

I'd sooner believe your tie rod is skipping a thread than your diff is messed up. Hitting a bump and making your car pull all around to me just seems like something dealing w/ the toe of your wheel is loose
 
turbodig

turbodig

Active member
Re: Inconsistant pull?

Chest Rockwell said:
Recently noticed a condition on the Ty that seems to be getting a little worse, or I'm just getting more anal about it. Seems like I can hit a bump, and the truck will pull to one side, maybe driver's side. A few miles down the road I can hit another bump, and the rest of the day the Ty will pull to the passenger side. Whatever is causing this pulls hard enough to overcome the crown in the road, if it's pulling to the driver's side. I've taken it to a shop, and the ball joints seem to check out alright. I'm replacing the tie rod ends tomorrow, inner and outer, and the pitman arm looks fresh. Could the front diff have anything to do with it? On a boost launch the front end gets kinda squirly, not sure if anyone else noticed it at Homecoming. Ideas?
Click to expand...

Ball joints. They're spring loaded, so you don't notice looseness when they're up on the hoist. Put a jack under the a-arm, and then check 'em.

Check your a-arm bolts... might be loose from a bad alignment.

I've seen a bad motor mount cause a squirrely front end on launch, too.
 
Chest Rockwell

Chest Rockwell

Active member
Re: Inconsistant pull?

Thanks for the tips, several things I haven't thought of yet. Just replaced the inner and outer tie rods, along with the adjusting sleeves. Might've been a problem, but they weren't the only cause. After reading a bunch of threads, I realized I have no steering stabilizer on there, either. I'll try jacking it up and looking at the ball joints. The only time I've looked at them the truck was already in the air. Thought maybe the steering box might've been loose, but all the bolts I can see are tight, including the a-arms. Could the slop be in the rag joint? Renz, what's this steering shaft I hear you make? Looks as though the rag joint could be in a bad spot, so close to the exhaust. Ah, the fun continues.....
 
Chest Rockwell

Chest Rockwell

Active member
Re: Inconsistant pull?

I'm guessing that eliminates the rag joint? What needs to be modified, or does it "slip" right in?
 
M

MikeRenz

not stock
Re: Inconsistant pull?

it'll install as is...it just is close to fully collapsed when installed on our trucks - making it slightly more "dangerous" in the event of a head on collision. About the last thing you'd need to worry about in a head on collision imo.
 
JSM

JSM

Active member
Re: Inconsistant pull?

As mentioned check for things being loose, but also check for a toe out condition.
 
Chest Rockwell

Chest Rockwell

Active member
Re: Inconsistant pull?

Made good friend with a guy at a local tire shop. Really into S-series trucks, almost jumped out of his skin when I took him for his first boost launch. He told me all sorts of stuff to look for on typical s-trucks while he balanced all my wheels. The truck was in the air, so we might've mistaken the balljoints for still being good, need to check on that after I eat. Sent a PM to fivetodrive, do my part to resurrect "Crispy".
 
Chest Rockwell

Chest Rockwell

Active member
Re: Inconsistant pull?

Was thinking the same thing. Not sure how much play is too much when checking cv shafts and diff flanges. I was hoping to isolate the issue to either suspension or drivetrain.
 
mattw

mattw

Active member
Re: Inconsistant pull?

Could be bump steer. Is your steering linkage level? There is quite a bit of adjustment in this and it needs to be set level if/when the idler arm is changed.


-Matt
 
Ty 1885

Ty 1885

New member
Re: Inconsistant pull?

If you lowered your truck, chances are you need a steering stabilizer. Had the same thing with mine, put in steering stabilizer and all is well.
 
Chest Rockwell

Chest Rockwell

Active member
Re: Inconsistant pull?

turbodig said:
Ball joints. They're spring loaded, so you don't notice looseness when they're up on the hoist. Put a jack under the a-arm, and then check 'em.

Check your a-arm bolts... might be loose from a bad alignment.

I've seen a bad motor mount cause a squirrely front end on launch, too.
Click to expand...
Turbodig gets the tasty beverage if we ever meet. Jacked up the truck at the a-arms after lunch. Driver's side looked alright, still tight and solid. Got around to the passenger side, and was relieved to hear the loose bolt rattling around on the upper a-arm. Took it to get aligned and tightened, since the new tie-rod ends would affect the alignment, and all is well again. Thanks everyone for your suggestions! :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup:
 
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