2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Truck pulls hard to the right

[AMikesell]

Hi, I have been helping my friend troubleshoot this problem of his truck pulling hard to the right for a few days. He finally took his 1996 12v in for an alignment at the dealership and everything checked out alright, he has replaced the front bearings on both sides along with the u-joints, all of the ball joint are good, and has a lukes link on the tracking bar. The dealership also told his the cause for the pulling was his gearbox, so I gave him another gearbox off of a 2002 and we put that on but the problem is still there. So I was wondering what advice you guys could give or if you have had this problem and what you did to fix it. Any advice is appreciated, thanks Andrew

 

[McCRam]

I would check for dragging brakes first. I would also rotate the tires left to right to see if it makes it pull the other way. If all else fails, maybe get a second opinion from another alignment shop. Which gearbox did the dealer say to replace?

 

[Joe Mc]

May I suggest put front end up on stands start engine and see of the pull is related to power steering. I'm going to guess that the pull is really related to sticky front caliper. Or, could be a bad brake hose. Sound odd (brake hose)? I had the insde of a rubber hose "flap" creating a check valve of sorts, which was undetectable as all looked fine from the outside. This flap/check valve would allow fluid pressure to go into the caliper but not out - thus keeping the piston pressing the pad and creating a pull. If the front end alignment yeild no results and everything is tight - my bet is in the brakesystem. A front pull can also be caused by inproper rear brake adjustment (drum type) but, you stated "pulling hard to the right". Good luck

 

[AMikesell]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, we will have to see what comes of it.

 

[DESL PWR]

Did you ever get it fixed? I am betting on the dragging caliper.

 

[steved]

I've had a bad tire do this... it was about ready to fail...



It was a set of BFG longtrails in the "P"-series... yep, the dealer put these on the truck to sell it... I'm surprised they lasted the 10k they did...



As noted, rotate the tires too and see if the pull goes away... mine pulled hard right, swapping tires made it go back to normal... it was even still in good alignment, I had them check it when I had the new tires put on...



As to the dragging brake, possibly, but if it was dragging that much, it should be literally smoking.



Also, don't rule out the possibility that it is coming from an issue with the right REAR tire/brake area... I have had this happen too and it will act like something is wrong in the front (cause a pull to that side)...





steved

 

[CAfricano]

I had the same problem as soon as I bought my 2001. I had it at several alignment shops who all stated everything was right. Still pulling to the right. I eventually took it to a frame shop, and they put an offset ball joint with adjustment capabilty in the right front. Fixed the problem, and that was 120,000 miles ago (252,000 on it now). I have never had it aligned since then. Still tracks straight.