2003 won't track straight...

[Kach]

I've had my 2003 for about 2 years now and the front end has never been completely right on it. It has always had a pull to the right and I need to have the steering wheel turned about 15* to the left to go straight down the road. I took it in for a front end alignment figuring that was all it would need.



When I told the shop guy what kind of truck it was he warned that usually an alignment won't completely straighten out the front end on these trucks but should still keep tire wear even. He recommended "offset" ball joints to remedy the problem. The truck came back aligned and not noticeably better.



Long story short, I got my ball joints replaced on the road when I had a U-joint go out during a trip so they got replaced with stock spec (had them put in due to already having the front end apart) before I had a chance to research the possible offset ball joints. No improvement with the new ball joints either.



I also have a steering box stabilizer which has been a great mod and really improved handling, but no other front end mods.



I've heard of others that have the same issue with their trucks, but no solutions as of yet... so thought I'd run it by the TDR folks since I'm new here.

 

[JJPage]

I see you are running Toyo's... . If they are the MT's... that's the problem. Mine does it too, as do many other trucks running MT's, you may realize some improvement by rotating front to back, I did for about 3/4 k, now the pull is back.

There were a few threads about this issue with the Toyos, but my search capabilities are not up to snuff, for the new software the site is currently using...

 

[cerberusiam]

Ditto on the Toyo MT's causing a pull to the right, my truck did the same thing and the tire shop installed 1/2 degree upper ball joint in the passenger upper and problem solved.

Making sure you have enough caster will help a lot also. The Toyos always liked at least 4 to 4. 25 degrees positive caster to drive right. A lot of shops set it to stcok whixh is not enough for the taller wider tire. Sometimes it is trial and error until you find the magic setting that will keep the wheel straight on a crowned road and not want to lead around in the rutted portions.

 

[Kach]

Interesting that the tires would cause such a dramatic difference. I have about a year or so left on this set and then I'm thinking about going to a smaller/less aggressive tire. I like BFG AT KO's, but I've heard they can be associated with death wobble on these trucks. Maybe I'll just ride it out a bit longer and then get the truck properly set-up for whatever new tires I end up with.

The Toyos sure are nice, but I'm getting older and the higher ride height and tire noise are starting to make them less cool than they used to be!

 

[AEdelheit]

A nitrogen charged adjustable steering stabalizer can offset the Toyos pull

 

[Kach]

I'll have to look into that as well - it would be nice if it were that easy!