Rear Axle Alignment/Trouble after AAL Install

[V8BoatBuilder]

OK.

So I installed my Add-A-Leafs a few weeks ago, and since the install the truck has been hard to keep straight at highway speeds, it wanders all over the road. Before the AAL install it was fine. It seems plausible that the rear axle is not true with the frame (and front axle).

Is there a way for me to check this at home in the garage? Should I spend $$$$ and get a 4wheel alignment? Or could the front have fallen out of alignment, I had a front end alignment done in January.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[CodePoet]

Did you put the aal's in one side at a time? If so I wouldnt' think the axle itself would be off center. I suppose you could take some measurments to see if it's right. The next thing to check would probably u-bolts....i suppose if they are alittle loose it could feel like it's wandering around. Did you unbolt the springs from the factory shackles? Besides makeing sure everything is still tight, and the axle is centered correctly I don't know what could cause it. You MIGHT not be used to the new feel. I know when got mine done it seemed like the truck was harder to keep straight....like aliitle bit of bump steer, i've gotten use to it now though. Did you do a TT or anything?

I hope i helped...probably didn't

good luck
CP

 

[Joey P]

Don't know that you can even have an alignment done on a solid rear axle. I am almost sure you cannot. Did you tighten the u-bolts down to the proper specs? The head of the center bolt will algin itself into the spring perch so it shouldn't be out of alignment at all. It could be that you suspension is stiffer than stock now and that could cause it.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I put on warrior shackles and did the TT, then got the new 31s and and a front alignment. I could take my hands off the wheel and it would track straight.

When I installed the AAL, I did not do one side at a time. I completly removed the axle from both leaf springs, shocks, sway bar, etc. The only things i didn't disconnect were the driveshaft, hydraulic brake hose, e-brake, and the factory traction bars. It seemed to me they would keep the axle true.

I'll go under and hit the bolts back up with the wrench. I do have a miniscule amount of bump steer, but I attributed that to the wider tires.

 

[410Fortune]

It could be that the new stiffer springs are just amplifying a problem that was already there??

As long as the centering pins are set in the holes and you installed the ad a leafs the same way on both sides it shoudl track straight.

And there is no way for an alignment shop to adjust anything in the rear.

Check your tire pressures...also the new taller ride height in the rear (will settle quickly dont worry) will effect your front alignment....

 

[Fusion213]

Did the centering pins fit in there nicely or was it loose? If it was loose, it could cause a problem.

 

[Dre]

I don't think that you can put it back together any other way than it was in the beginning... all you do with AAL is add another leaf... center of the leaf pack stays in the same place. Leaf pack will center itself with center pin head sliding into the hole in the axle spring perches... spring perches remain in the same position so the whole set-up goes back just where it was before AAL.

Check and make sure U-bolts are tighten-up... did you do anything with rear shackles? just make sure everything is nice and tight... you should not have problems.
What about front end? did you do anything to the torsion springs?

If you done alignment and want to make sure it's still OK you should be able to take it back to them... they should have some kind of warranty... don't tell them you've done something in the meantime.... otherwise they'll make you pay.