2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission truck pulling to the right

[SRehberg]

I recently bought a '96 2wd that when running down the highway, it is a constant effort to keep it from pulling to the right. The tires are inflated equally, and the tires appear to be wearing fine. I remember this being a problem in the past, but have had trouble locating the information. Possible brake caliper causing disc pad dragging?

 

[Steve Campbell]

At first blush.....

... . it sounds like you have diagnosed your own problem. That would probably be the easiest/cheapest thing to look at first. I think a good cleaning/lubing of the front brake parts would suprise you all around.



What condition are all of the front axle control arms in (anything bent)? Does the condition get worse on rough roads?

 

[fox]

The factory sets the camber different left and right. This causes a pull to the right.

My 02 is bad and will get a balanced adjustment soon.

This is not a simple adjustment, it will require either heating a given spot on the axle tube or adjustable upper ball joints.

Btw, on my truck my left hand gets cramps from the constant pull. If I let go for a quick "grab the phone", it will go for a ditch



Opps, I just noticed yours is a 2wd , Mine is 4X4.

 

[rjones]

Mines been pulling to the also... ... dont know why but its going in for an alignment today... ... .

 

[KevinO]

You might want to check the rearend of the truck mine will shift as i am driving and cause it to pull you hit a few more bumps and it straightens back out. I have an add-a-leaf and longer ubolts but still something to check out. I know there was a recall for the ubolts on some model years but not sure what years.

 

[rjones]

Really Thats funny cause I just got mine back from the alignment shop and he ask if I got in an accident... . cause its . 040 out in the rear... ... .

 

[SRehberg]

I know what you mean about hand cramp; if l relax for a second, it's in the next lane or wherever. It makes it a little dangerous driving, as it always wants to go right.



I'll check the caliper pins to make sure they're lubed/clean, as I just bought this truck, so it may need some attention. I don't think the previous owner did more than he had to, but it did get serviced per mfg's schedule. I haven't looked closely yet, but there was no obvious bent parts that stood out. The only rough roads are the highways of California that I have been on; you know, the segmented concrete strips that jar your teeth out from hippity-hop! I know caliper pistons can get stuck if they sit for awhile due to moisture/rust issues. This truck had been sitting for a little bit, so maybe it is a possibility. I'll try jacking it up tomorrow to see what gives.



The rear end is one I never would have thought of. Maybe I need to have it checked as well, but first I'm going to do the cheapo thing and check the caliper pins/slides. If that doesn't do it, then I'll get a four wheel alignment done.



If you find your problems I would appreciate your findings. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Rebel_Horseman]

Here's a loaded question. My truck has this problem too and the front right tire is wearing on the outside pretty bad. I'm going to fix the track bar soon just to be safe, but it may need an alignment. Could the ball joints be worn and causing this? If I have to get an alignment, how much am I looking at. My truck is a dually so I'm thinking it's going to be expensive.



Brian [><]

 

[rjones]

I had tp replace the ball joints in mine because they were bad and I was getting major tire wear on the inside... ... My alignment was only $45. 00..... I dont know why a dually should be more.....

 

[stownsend]

I betcha the problem is the ball joints. I recently took my truck in for the same symptom, pulling to the right. Bad ball joints!



Before spending money on an alignment, get the ball joints checked.



Steve

 

[SRehberg]

How many miles did you guys have on your trucks when the ball joints died? Mine is a 2wd but it has ball joints as well. The truck only has 45K miles on it, so I am suspect they are still o. k. Makes you wonder why they always pull to the right, you would think a few would go left!

 

[rjones]

My uppers went or atleast I noticed it around 100,000 however the left side been replaced before and the upper went bad again..... someone before me replaced it... ...

 

[Rebel_Horseman]

How do you check the ball joints? Is this osmething that can be diagnosed by me or do I need to bring it to a shop to have it checked? How much do the ball joints cost and how big of a deal is it to replace them. If I replace one I might as well replace all of them.



Brian [><]

 

[rjones]

I would replace all... ..... because your there already with everything apart, might as well... ... . I just raise the truck up so the tires are off the ground and try yo move your wheel up and down kinda like push and pull at the bottom and top of tire.....

 

[Rebel_Horseman]

Does anyone have a diagram of the fron suspension ssytem showing the ball joints and/or part numbers?



Thanks



Brian

 

[rjones]

Go to the Moog web site and get part numbers... ... you can get numbes for all the suspesion and steering componets

 

[RustyJC]

I'd be a little careful about checking the upper ball joints as suggested. If you jack up the front end of the truck (2WD) and remove the weight of the truck from the upper ball joints, you can shake them around like heck won't have it - the ball is no longer being held in the seat. This was an old schill that dishonest mechanics used to use (maybe still do) on the widow ladies - jack up the front end of the car, shake the wheel around and tell the woman, "Ma'am, you're really lucky. We caught this just in time. Look at this - we've got to replace your ball joints before you lose a wheel!"



If you have a 2WD truck, a knowledgable alignment technician can dial in cross-caster to make the truck pull any way you want - cross-caster is normally set to make the truck pull to the left, thereby compensating for road crown.



Rusty