dog tracking suburban 4x4 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70burbulgy · 11-30-2003, 11:21 PM

Would anyone have the measurement of the wheel base of a 4x4 suburban front to back center of axle to center of axle. Mine will not track straight on the road and I can not see by eye where anything is off I'm hoping an axle is just slide on one side. You would not know it driving but it sure looks bad when you follow it. 1970 GMC all stock suspension

Thanks

Beast388 · 11-30-2003, 11:36 PM

My '71 Burb is the same way. It feels like it drives staight as an arrow but if you follow it, you'd swear it was dog tracking. The wheelbase on the Burbs is 127".

*1tonswb* · 12-01-2003, 12:11 AM

Could be a broken center pin on your rear spring.

ABHaulR · 12-01-2003, 12:14 AM

just make sure you measure from axle to axle to get the same distance. i think they all look like that. you got to remember the track width on the front axle is wider than that of the rear. it makes it look as if the rear is dog tracking. my dana 44 is wider than my stock rear in my 72 burb.
Dwayne

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 12-02-2003, 06:53 AM

My '67 K/10 sub looked like it was dog tracking or "crabbing."
I thought it was due to trying a '69 model power steering set up briefly and that sheared the guide pin under the Dr side front spring pack. This was with a stock '67 corp front end. I have a '75 Dana 44 to swap onto it, once I get back to that project.

72addict · 12-02-2003, 07:28 AM

On one of my lifted trucks, someone put one of the lift blocks on upside down. The tapered side was put towards the spring, but only on one side. This caused the axle to be out of square with the frame and it dog tracked. I flipped the block over and the problem was fixed. An easy thing to check, so give it a look. Also cross measure the rear springs make sure they are the same. Good luck

Longhorn Man · 12-02-2003, 08:16 AM

Good way to double check and make sure it isn't the track width messin with your head, is to drive through a large puddle in an open parking lot. Keep driving straight, then get out and look at your tire marks on the pavement.

tom hand · 12-02-2003, 10:36 AM

If you can't seem to find the problem, have the front end alinment checked....even if it seems to go straight that could be the problem

Mudder · 12-02-2003, 01:04 PM

Long wheel base 4x4's tracked in one direction and the shorts tracked the other. Common. Another thing is people pulling a really stuck truck from justy one of the frame rails. Always pull from both sides. Those old rivets seem to let loose after time.

72addict · 12-02-2003, 02:46 PM

Keep in mind that the front track width is wider than the rear.

*67Fleetsidedream* · 12-02-2003, 03:17 PM

Take it to a alignment shop and have them realign everything for you......This way you will know that is correct....

11-30-2003, 11:21 PM	#1
70burbulgy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: McPherson, KS 67460 Posts: 60	dog tracking suburban 4x4 Would anyone have the measurement of the wheel base of a 4x4 suburban front to back center of axle to center of axle. Mine will not track straight on the road and I can not see by eye where anything is off I'm hoping an axle is just slide on one side. You would not know it driving but it sure looks bad when you follow it. 1970 GMC all stock suspension Thanks

11-30-2003, 11:36 PM	#2
Beast388 Suburbans RULE! Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clinton, IA 52732 Posts: 689	My '71 Burb is the same way. It feels like it drives staight as an arrow but if you follow it, you'd swear it was dog tracking. The wheelbase on the Burbs is 127". __________________ --Ben 71 GMC Suburban 4X4 The "Beast" 388 CID Stroker, TH350, NP205, 8-lug D44, 14BFF w/ Detroit, 4.10:1 gears, 4-Wheel Disks 4" Lift, 35" MT/R's.

12-01-2003, 12:14 AM	#4
ABHaulR Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West Valley City, Ut Posts: 311	just make sure you measure from axle to axle to get the same distance. i think they all look like that. you got to remember the track width on the front axle is wider than that of the rear. it makes it look as if the rear is dog tracking. my dana 44 is wider than my stock rear in my 72 burb. Dwayne Attached Images __________________ 72' GMC Suburban 10 1/2" of Lift, 40" Tires! Waiting for restoration 67' Chevy, What to do??? And Bad Ass American Bulldogs!

12-02-2003, 07:28 AM	#6
72addict Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Mason MI, 48854 (strikezone of the mitten) Posts: 894	On one of my lifted trucks, someone put one of the lift blocks on upside down. The tapered side was put towards the spring, but only on one side. This caused the axle to be out of square with the frame and it dog tracked. I flipped the block over and the problem was fixed. An easy thing to check, so give it a look. Also cross measure the rear springs make sure they are the same. Good luck __________________ 1957 Cameo

12-02-2003, 10:36 AM	#8
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	If you can't seem to find the problem, have the front end alinment checked....even if it seems to go straight that could be the problem __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

12-01-2003, 12:11 AM	#3
1tonswb Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 300	Could be a broken center pin on your rear spring.

12-02-2003, 06:53 AM	#5
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,504	My '67 K/10 sub looked like it was dog tracking or "crabbing." I thought it was due to trying a '69 model power steering set up briefly and that sheared the guide pin under the Dr side front spring pack. This was with a stock '67 corp front end. I have a '75 Dana 44 to swap onto it, once I get back to that project.

12-02-2003, 08:16 AM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Good way to double check and make sure it isn't the track width messin with your head, is to drive through a large puddle in an open parking lot. Keep driving straight, then get out and look at your tire marks on the pavement.

12-02-2003, 01:04 PM	#9
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Long wheel base 4x4's tracked in one direction and the shorts tracked the other. Common. Another thing is people pulling a really stuck truck from justy one of the frame rails. Always pull from both sides. Those old rivets seem to let loose after time.

12-02-2003, 02:46 PM	#10
72addict Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Mason MI, 48854 (strikezone of the mitten) Posts: 894	Keep in mind that the front track width is wider than the rear. __________________ 1957 Cameo

12-02-2003, 03:17 PM	#11
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	Take it to a alignment shop and have them realign everything for you......This way you will know that is correct....

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.