easiest way to check front suspension?

[knightowl73]

hopefully ill be getting an alignment on monday, ill be lowerring my truck just a bit this weekend. i want to make sure they dont try and tell me i need some $125 ball joint that i coulda replaced for $25 before i got there. so is there any easy ways to tell whats wrong?

i called myself checking it out once before because my front would shimmy when i was braking, and sometimes when driving certain speeds. looked to only be a outer tie rod, so i replaced it and its worse now when i stop. im hoping the alignment will take care of it, just want to check it all out before i go.

[STOCKISH]

Sounds like the rotors or drums are warped if shimmying while braking. Not to sound like a jerk, but if you dont know what to look for when checking safety items, lots of places will do a courtesy inspection for free. My shop does. Then if you feel inclined to do so, take it home and repair whats needed. You dont want to "guess" on safety related items. Let a trained technician check it out for you.

[knightowl73]

so theres no real way for me to check these things before i go to the alignment shop myself?

[STOCKISH]

Yes, lift the truck on a jack and see if theres any play in the steering by shaking the wheels side to side and having someone look at the steering components. Shake the wheel up and down to check wheel bearing play. Then you can put a pry bar under the tire and pry up against the ground to check for ball joint play. Also look at the upper and lower control arm bushings to see if they are cracked or not.

[knightowl73]

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

Yes, lift the truck on a jack and see if theres any play in the steering by shaking the wheels side to side and having someone look at the steering components. Shake the wheel up and down to check wheel bearing play. Then you can put a pry bar under the tire and pry up against the ground to check for ball joint play. Also look at the upper and lower control arm bushings to see if they are cracked or not.

thanks, ill try the prying part, didnt do that. is there any way to check for warped rotors up front?

[camshaftgsxr]

Originally Posted by knightowl73

thanks, ill try the prying part, didnt do that. is there any way to check for warped rotors up front?

the best way is too take the wheel off and put a few lug nuts back on hand tight and have someone compress the brakes and release them (this will allow the square cut o-ring to pull the pads back very little from the surface of the rotor) and spin the rotor, if there is rubbing its either warped or not parrallel, if it rubs have them turned if they are above the minimum thickness stamped on the rotor them if not replace them. i would replace even if they're just warped if you don't know or are not sure if they are good change them out, brakes are the last place you wanna guess, its all about safety

p.s. i've spent a year doing nothing but brakes in school so if this is wrong take it up with both my instructors, one of which is ASE master tech so... good luck with that

[landon4421]

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

Sounds like the rotors or drums are warped if shimmying while braking.

That is his issue right there.

Mine was doing the same thing, i repaced the rotors with out turning them, out the box and on the truck. Replaced everything else and it was still doing it. Took the rotors in as a friend suggested and they were really warped. Replaced them put on new brakes and all was well. Wish I would have turned the rotors to start with, would have saved me some $$$$, but the front end is all new now, so I know its SAFE

Originally Posted by knightowl73

is there any way to check for warped rotors up front?

Take your rotors to a parts house and have them turned... IMO

[knightowl73]

Originally Posted by landon4421

That is his issue right there.

Mine was doing the same thing, i repaced the rotors with out turning them, out the box and on the truck. Replaced everything else and it was still doing it. Took the rotors in as a friend suggested and they were really warped. Replaced them put on new brakes and all was well. Wish I would have turned the rotors to start with, would have saved me some $$$$, but the front end is all new now, so I know its SAFE




Take your rotors to a parts house and have them turned... IMO

cool, thanks for the info

[3r!c84]

the alignment shop will check that before doing the alignment. they will not do the alignment if everything is not good.

[knightowl73]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

the alignment shop will check that before doing the alignment. they will not do the alignment if everything is not good.

ive heard different around here. i dont want to have them try to make me pay them to do anything i can do myself.

my dad seems to think i can align it pretty well with some string and a 18" level....lol too bad i tried this once on my blazer about 4 times a long time ago and learned my lesson. made me laugh though

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by knightowl73

ive heard different around here. i dont want to have them try to make me pay them to do anything i can do myself.

my dad seems to think i can align it pretty well with some string and a 18" level....lol too bad i tried this once on my blazer about 4 times a long time ago and learned my lesson. made me laugh though

most oh the times they will turn you away and tell you to fix the broken parts befor they will even touch your vehicle.(its more to cover there ass before working on your vehicle.)

[3r!c84]

lift up the front of the truck.and shake the from wheels and see if theres move ment.and have someone look where its coming from.

[knightowl73]

well i did that much and everything seems tight now that ive changed the tie rod end. so im thinking i should be good and just check my rotors some kinda way? maybe i can get rid of the shimmy when i brake and the alignment will hopefully take care of the rest

[3r!c84]

the school is paying for this test this time (: only aloud to pick two. so i think im going to try engine performance and idk the other one yet

[camshaftgsxr]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

the school is paying for this test this time (: only aloud to pick two. so i think im going to try engine performance and idk the other one yet

lucky... so lucky...

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by camshaftgsxr

lucky... so lucky...

and the funny thing is,i dont even plan to have a automotive career. i want to get into airplane machines.