2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission stearing pull

[jimk]

I have the truck now where it drives fair but it does tend to go to the right side depending on how severe the crown of road is. I installed a brace that I got from Piers and installed a new steering stabilizer. Dialing in as much Positive caster as possible. I am resorting to lowering the tire pressure on the right front to cause the truck to pull to the center. I will try 8 psi to start and then do the same on the rear. What I need is more caster on the right side. Any ideas on a 95 4x4. thanks jimk

 

[stacerbob]

You do mean left tire? Have you aligned it with the eccentrics on the upper ball joint?? What are the readings?

 

[jimk]

tires

Originally posted by stacerbob

You do mean left tire? Have you aligned it with the eccentrics on the upper ball joint?? What are the readings?

After reading the post, yes I mean

the left tire. I did not know there was eccentrics on the upper ball joint. I thought that you had to install aftermarket units on a 4x4. Thanks Jimk

 

[stacerbob]

Eccentrics

Look at your truck, does the upper ball joint threads stick UP and have a steel bushing under the nut? If so(should being older than '99) Then have it aligned and make sure to ask if they use them. If they act like you don't know what you are talking about, you are in the wrong place!!

 

[jimk]

Re: Eccentrics

Originally posted by stacerbob

Look at your truck, does the upper ball joint threads stick UP and have a steel bushing under the nut? If so(should being older than '99) Then have it aligned and make sure to ask if they use them. If they act like you don't know what you are talking about, you are in the wrong place!!

Sir it does have the spacer under the nut. Just to know what I am talking about how do you use the spacer? I need more caster on the right than the left. I would like one half degree positive more than the left. Thanks for the help, Jim

 

[MWBrooks]

Jim,

Take it to the best front end shop you can find. You're going about this the wrong way by trying to lower your tire pressure. You're taking a dangerous, band-aid approach. Have a professional find the root cause and be done with it. If money is a factor, your extended tire wear will help offset your cost.







Mike

 

[jimk]

front end pull

Originally posted by cumminszhere

Jim,

Take it to the best front end shop you can find. You're going about this the wrong way by trying to lower your tire pressure. You're taking a dangerous, band-aid approach. Have a professional find the root cause and be done with it. If money is a factor, your extended tire wear will help offset your cost.







Mike

Mike thanks for the advice, my friend took his dodge to the shop ( dodge dealership and it did not drive any better than before,) as it was IN SECTS. I don't intend to get romanced like that. My truck drives as good as his but it does not drive as good as I would like. As far as a band-aid I have don't have any problems lowering the tire pressure from 60 to 55 on the left to help make the truck pull to the center. Tire wear is very good. I had thought that the root problem was Dodge engineering. I have decided that if I have to I could install enough aftermarket parts the truck could be made to drive better. Mike I don't wont to seem harsh but I do have the money to fix the truck, but just like the automatic transmission that I have I have not spent a penny fixing the poor design. I am will to listen to reason. Thanks anyway Jim

 

[stacerbob]

eccentrics

Jim, the eccentrics are just like they name says offset eccentric. There are about 10+/- different ones for several different vehicles. They start at 1/4deg and go to about 2. 5deg. Then they will go in the knuckle 8 different positions. You can't determine which one you need without having the one out of the truck to see what size it is, what the readings are on the truck and from years of experience to "scientificlly guess" what to put in! Sometimes it will change a little too much or not enough and you will have to go to the next one. The major problem with the computer alignment equipment is the operator, if it is loaded with say Dodges alignment specs and he hooks up to your truck and it is in the GREEN then its good enough to kick out the door at the plant, then its good enough for him!! Good luck finding a capable shop. When they tell you it is OK tell them your complaint and "can't you do something to change the caster and make it not pull?"

Do a search for Brents specs, those work well. We have a lot a crown to the roads around here and we tend to give a little more positive camber on the left front, than Brents specs, that may be your case also. Good luck!!

 

[jimk]

upper ball joints

Thanks that is exactly what I needed to know. I know of a frame and alignment shop in Wichita that will do the work for me. I will request the truck be set to those spec ts. I don't have tire wear problems just the annoying pull to the right. I drove the truck to Shreveport today and the truck drove OK, but I believe it could be better with more positive caster on both sides. thanks again Jimk