rt side wheel camber/toe/wtf/idk

[Four0Sport]

So as long as I can remember my rt front wheel has never been straight on with the dr side wheel. Ive been to numerous places to get it aligned and never heard anything about it till my last alignment. I took it to a dealership a good friend of mine works at so he could to the alignment. When I went to pick it up he told me he couldnt get the steering wheel to be level when the wheel were aligned, it is turned to the left slightly, always have been. He also mentioned that the pass side wheel was off from the drives side slightly, but lined up true with the rear wheel and shouldnt give me a problem. Well it doesnt, but the more I think of it, and the more people ask me what the deal is, the more I want to know what is really going on. If I let go of the steering wheel it vears slightly to the rt side. Any ideas on what this could be? Driving wise everything is fine, and I was assured it wouldnt cause a problem except maybe premature tire wear. Hope someone out there can help.

[Four0Sport]

I just read over what I just posted and realized there are alot of typos and grammar errors, I apologize. Im drunk on Dr. Pepper.

[Four0Sport]

come on guys, dont fail me now! someone out there has to have an idea/solution for my problem.

[91exploreron37]

Are you serious? You payed for an aligment numerous times that wasnt completed. The reason for an alignment is so the vehicle doesnt pull and won't prematurely wear tires.
Do you have a lot of play in your steering wheel? Also hows the condition of your ball-joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings etc.... Anything loose?

[DeRocha]

When aligning the truck it is normal for it to be very slightly biased to the right.

Are you saying the steering wheel isn't centered? If so that is because the alignment shop didn't take the time to re-center it. The easy way out for a shop is to align the wheels without paying attention to the steerng wheel. They put your vehicle on the rack and move the tie-rod ajusting sleeves to align the wheels (no thought about the steering wheel). They can get away with this because unless tie rods or the center drag linked where replaced the aligment will barely change/affect the steering wheel.
To correctly align the wheels the shop needs to 1st center the steering wheel then adjust the tie rod adjusting sleeves.. this will ensure the wheels are aligned and that the steering wheel is pointed straingt when going straight.. I'd be Pi$$ed Off if I dropped $70+ for an alignment for the steering wheel to be still pointing to outerspace..

All that being said if you're getting an alingment make sure the tech doing the alignment Knows the steering wheel is off and needs to be centered.

[Blacksheep Josh]

You have the same problem I do... or at least it seems that way.

I've never been able to have a true alignment, because the shop said to many things are worn out, and that's what I'm working on.

Do you have any play in your steering wheel? Meaning that if you turn does it turn immediately, or does it take a sec to catch? I have about 3 inches of play both ways before the tires start to turn, and that's because of the steering box. Might want to check that to make sure the steering wheel is really centered and not just centered by eye.

[91exploreron37]

Yea my steering wheel has tons of play in it as well. I just deal with it lol.

[Four0Sport]

there is some slight play in my steering box, wheel bearings arent worn out, ball joints and tie rods are showing age but not worn bad. the tech doing the alignment put the wheel lock on the steering wheel and said whenever he would line up the wheel.. he would align the truck and the wheel would get moved. could this be attributed to the slight play in the gear box? idk, i need to take a GOOD picture tomorrow so you guys can see what i am talking about. the pass side wheel is visibly sticking out, always has been.

[Blacksheep Josh]

Well think about it... if there's play in the steering box/wheel, you don't know where the true center is. The wheel may be centered, but it may not be centered in the steering box and whatever else. This is the main problem I have, because they don't know where the true center is. Now with that said...

On top of the steering box, there's a "screw" that you need a wrench and screwdriver to loosen/tighten. I believe this will tighten/loosen the mesh between the gears, and might get rid of some slack.

[Four0Sport]

i think part of my problem is the joint in the shaft going from the column to the gear box. this still doesnt explain though why my pass side wheel sticks out, im thinking maybe a a bent beam? maybe the pass side radius arm is shorter and pulling the beam back? idk, any other ideas? i'll get that pic today when i bundle up to head outside.

[Blacksheep Josh]

I just looked at your registry again, and was looking at the front suspension, particularly the steering part of it...

On your.. driver side, it looks as if the outer tie rod, when it connects to the spindle, is going from bottom to top (castle nut being on top)? I'm not sure if that's a 4x4 thing, but I just looked at mine which is a 2x4, and it's connected from the top to bottom (castle nut being on bottom)?

Just making sure there's either a reason for it, or if this is another different between 4x4 and 2x4, or if mine is just on wrong.

-josh

[Willard]

Originally Posted by Blacksheep Josh

I just looked at your registry again, and was looking at the front suspension, particularly the steering part of it...

On your.. driver side, it looks as if the outer tie rod, when it connects to the spindle, is going from bottom to top (castle nut being on top)? I'm not sure if that's a 4x4 thing, but I just looked at mine which is a 2x4, and it's connected from the top to bottom (castle nut being on bottom)?

Just making sure there's either a reason for it, or if this is another different between 4x4 and 2x4, or if mine is just on wrong.

-josh

No, look closer. It's on there right.

I do see the wheel leaning a little bit though. I can't imagine what would be bent that could cause that. I'm not sure you can bend the beams, I think they usually just crack.

Radius arm, probably not, I don't see how it could make a difference.

[Blacksheep Josh]

I see what was messing me up now. The castle nut for the balljoint comes upward, and the castle nut end for the tie rod is blending in because of shadow.

I was seriously wondering wtf was up, lol.

[Treleaven]

I to have this problem, I can't wait to find out why its happening

[Four0Sport]

like i said.. its been this way ever since ive owned it, and always had a slight pull to the right. tire wear isnt abnormal.. its raining pretty steady outside the past couple days or id be out there with some greasy hands and pictures.

[dbrightb]

I have had mine aligned a few times.. it still pulls right. tires track evenly front and rear and no abnormal wear on tires.. I assume most of the time the pull is from the crowning in the road. could be it idk... i just live with it.

[Willard]

Yea that's true, it's gonna pull some from the crown in the road. Mine has always done that and it's got a good alignment.

Try finding a flat road (usually has to be two or more lanes before it's flat enough) and see if it still pulls to the right.

[Four0Sport]

yep.. still does. and pass wheel is still noticeably out farther.

[corkey]

hmmm, i actually worked in a shop that specialised in alignments,they said most shops just put the alignment in spec with what the computer says the tolerances are.
Me on the other hand , i want it to be 1/2 degree caster lead on the right wheel and 1/8 of an inch of toe,, as for camber just a slight bit, maybe 1/4 a degree each side.
i know alignment shops will look at you like you have a foot growing out of your forehead when you tell them that , but it is my truck, and i am paying,, so , i get it that way, and i never have a wander problem , or tire wear,,

[Treleaven]

Originally Posted by Four0Sport

yep.. still does. and pass wheel is still noticeably out farther.

I thought it was because mine was in an accident but then I remembered it was just the fender that got scratched up and dented and there is no noticable marks on the rim so it couldn't have been hit that hard. My drivers side front and rear line up, its just the passenger side front that sticks an inch out further.