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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Logan, Utah
Posts: 45
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Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
I finally hooked up my transmission and took the blazer out for the first time since i've bought it. The problem is that I cant keep it straight. I dont think its an alignment problem because it pulls both ways. I will be driving and it pulls me right then when I correct it then it wants to pull me to the left. Has anyone had this problem before and how did you fix it?
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#2 |
The Few, The Proud
![]() Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ball Ground, Georgia
Posts: 1,830
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
Is it stock height or is it lifted? From your description, it sounds like bump steer.
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Shannon |
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#3 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Posts: 305
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
I had that happen to me driving across the country in a 1964 Ford pickup (2 wheel drive). The king pins were bad.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Logan, Utah
Posts: 45
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
its a 4x4 with a 4 inch lift. Just to let you know I am only going 10 mph to test everything out and thats when the this is happening. It will go straight then pull to one side and I can get it to go straight again and it pulls to the same side or the other.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Oakland, Ca
Posts: 1,382
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
Could be a lot of things:
Balljoints (are they original?) Tierods (same) Bumpsteer (do you have a drop pitman, or a raised arm on the knuckle?) Tires (Bias or radial?) |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: LaSalle Mi
Posts: 504
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
Could be alignment still. If the toe is out of spec, it could pull it either way. Also like others said, it could be worn joints.
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Farmers Branch, Tx
Posts: 1,009
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
happened to me on a 63 impala with broken panhard bar I think its called. I mean the bar that keeps the rear end aligned whencoil springs are used.
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http://www.picturetrail.com/jwill41 67 1/2 ton GMC short step side 68 1/2 ton Chevy long fleet side 72 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban 99 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban founder (and only member) of the primer/clearcoat club Last edited by Jwill41; 06-16-2010 at 08:57 PM. |
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Cottage Grove, OR
Posts: 63
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
I agree that it is likely an alignment issue. If your toe setting is all out of sorts, then the truck will drive itself all over the road no matter what you do with the steering wheel. Bad joints somewhere in the steering or suspension could also cause it, but I would measure toe in/out before you spend a bunch of money.
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1972 Chevy K5 Blazer 1972 Chevy K20 1955 Chevy 3100 "If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" - Albert Einstein |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2005
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 587
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
For me, I had a tie-rod end which was basically seized. Replaced it and greatly improved the handling.
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Oakland, Ca
Posts: 1,382
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
Shouldn't an alignment shop be able to tell you if your joints need replacing while they straighten out the toe?
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: LaSalle Mi
Posts: 504
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
A quality alignment shop will tell you if there are worn parts. They usually will not do an alignment if there is something that will make it not stay in specs. They would be held responsible if something happened.
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Oakland, Ca
Posts: 1,382
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
What I figured - take it down and see what they say.
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: East Sooke B.C. Canada
Posts: 543
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
sounds like it is toeing out too much.
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Logan, Utah
Posts: 45
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
I appreciate all the help guys. I will work on it and let you know what I found.
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Logan, Utah
Posts: 45
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
I just got an alignment and it still is going all over the place. They said that they test drove it before the gave it back to me but still is doing it. I had to trailer it because its not registered. I greased up the tie rods and ball joints and still the same. It seems when it starts one way I turn the wheel and sometimes it doesnt turn right a way. any other thoughts?
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: texas
Posts: 329
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
whenever mine has gotten the road wander blues. It's always been the drag link. And you can replace them without effecting your alignment.
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#17 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: cleburne texas
Posts: 35
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
when they did the alignment did they put it on the machine and then order parts and then put it back on the machine to check again after installing the parts? and how much was the charge for alignment.
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trv67 |
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#18 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: cleburne texas
Posts: 35
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
do you want thoughts or facts. the alignment shop that does cheap work does not know about the leaf spring stop on the driver side behind the shackle. i didnt either until my dad saw it. i was having the same problem. respond back and ill send pictures to show you the part. you have to have it!
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trv67 Last edited by travis.vaughan; 09-01-2010 at 02:02 AM. |
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#19 | |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Burghill, Ohio 44404
Posts: 3,402
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
Quote:
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![]() ![]() 1972 GMC Jimmy 1/2 4X4 4wheel camper 1970 GMC Jimmy 1/2 4X4 350 1969 Chevy Blazer 1/2 4X4 307 1967 chevy LWB 3/4 396 |
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#20 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: cleburne texas
Posts: 35
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
iv'e posted new replies if you didn't see them. pictures tommorow around lunch.
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trv67 |
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#21 | |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Burghill, Ohio 44404
Posts: 3,402
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
Quote:
__________________
![]() ![]() 1972 GMC Jimmy 1/2 4X4 4wheel camper 1970 GMC Jimmy 1/2 4X4 350 1969 Chevy Blazer 1/2 4X4 307 1967 chevy LWB 3/4 396 |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Logan, Utah
Posts: 45
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
Some options that I am looking at is that the gear box is to tight or to loose. The Ball joints can be to tight as well so it didnt show up on the alignment. I paid $40 for the alignment. I would like to see some pictures of the shackle to see if thats the problem. ALso someone wrote that it could be the Drag link. I want to know exactly how they thing thats the problem. Please respond.
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#23 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: cleburne texas
Posts: 35
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
an alignment for four wheel drive is going to cost alot more than that. they have to set it up on the machine take measurements take it back down order alignment parts then put back on the machine install the parts which labor charges apply. it should be more like 150.00 or more. i will take pictures soon.
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trv67 |
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#24 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: cleburne texas
Posts: 35
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
also if the drag link is bent you can not adjust toe accurately. toe does not affect steering it only affects tire wear and if toe is bad enough to affect steering you would see the tire aiming out or in.
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trv67 |
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#25 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: texas
Posts: 329
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Re: Driving straight is harder then it looks, problem.
Quote:
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