First Gen Alignment Problem

[Brock94]

After doing a bunch of front-end work last June, I took my 94 XLT to Sears for an alignment. All came out within specs, but when I drive on the highway, I have to point the steering wheel a little to the right to go straight. It's not much, but just enough to be annoying. If I let go of the steering wheel for a second, it moves to center and the truck starts to veer left.

It's not pulling to the left, I just think they locked in the toe setting with the steering gear slightly off center. I've taken it back two times to try get this fixed (at no additional charge). The first time they misunderstood and thought it was pulling left. The second time I explained the problem clearly and they said that they'd be sure to use a steering wheel lock to keep the steering wheel straight while making the adjustments. The problem is still not fixed.

1) Is there some procedure that they have to go through to make sure the steering gear actually centers before they lock in the toe settings?

2) Can I just fix this myself? If I adjust the tie-rod out on one side the same number of turns as I adjust the tie-rod in on the other side will this maintain the correct toe setting while getting my front end in line with the steering wheel?

I'd appreciate any advice you can give.

 

[Billy177]

check your tire pressure

 

[msmith65]

You say it's not "pulling" to the left; yet, you also say that when you let go of the wheel, the truck "veers" left.

The truck should not veer left on a level or crowned road. If anything, it should drift to the right, following the slope of the pavement.

I wouldn't try to fix it yourself. They owe you a properly aligned vehicle. Be firmly polite with them: Either the car gets properly aligned, or you call your credit-card company to dispute the charge. Money talks!

I also suggest trying a different Sears. Could be their machine is off.

 

[Billy177]

ya the sears in danbury is pretty good

 

[Brock94]

Tire pressure is right, I just rotated the tires too so I know there is not a problem there. The reason (in my opinion) that it's veering to the left is that the steering gear (and steering wheel) is self-centering as it should do when I let it go. If it were set up right, it would self-center and the truck would go straight.

Sears has been more than willing to keep trying to get it right-- I'm not getting any pressure from them about that, its just that I've spent about 6 hours of my life sitting in their waiting room/ watching them put my truck on the rack, so if I could fix this in an hour it might be more worthwhile. Also, I don't want to bother to go back unless I have a reason to think something will be done differently (e.g. if someone here can tell me if there's any "secret" to make sure the steering gear is straight ahead when they lock down the tie rods, I could ask them to do that.)

Billy177 may have a good idea-- I assume any Sears store would honor my alignment warranty, so maybe I'll try another one.

In the meantime, I'd appreciate any more thoughts you have.



I think that the front tires are lined up with one another correctly since I don't have any unusual wear since June, they are just incorrect relative to the steering gear.

 

[msmith65]

I once experienced pull on a properly aligned car after I swapped out a bent wheel. The diagnosis was "radial pull," which can happen when a cheesy shop doesn't properly lubricate the tire before installing it.

I think it's incurable as far as the tire goes. I ended up putting the offending tire on the back, where it canceled out against the other good tire. Still tried to jump to that side over bumps, though.

I didn't suggest this first because in my experience the pull was dramatic. I don't know if radial pull can occur in a milder form or not.

 

[Greddy X-Plorer]

I suggest you do what msmith says, try somewhere else. I had problems with my alignment until they got it right. Sometimes alignments also go off due to worn out parts. I suggest you check that out to.

 

[Brock94]

Thanks, but it's definitely not "pulling". Hands off and the steering wheel returns to center and stays there, with the truck turning slightly to the left. I don't have to fight it as you'd have to fight a pull, so I think the only force returning the steering wheel to center is the self-centering feature of the steering gear.