have some play in front end....

[Lee H]

Well its evident an alignment is not going to fix this problem. Have the shops actually driven and experienced the "wobble". Does not bode well for the mechanical skills of the techs in your neck of the woods if 4 or 5 shops can't find a problem. Either that or your taking it to the cut rate shops that only hire fresh out of high school kids like Auto Zone. Time to take it to a general repair shop and take the tech for a ride and once the wobble starts say that's what I want fixed.
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[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Lee H

Well its evident an alignment is not going to fix this problem. Have the shops actually driven and experienced the "wobble". Does not bode well for the mechanical skills of the techs in your neck of the woods if 4 or 5 shops can't find a problem. Either that or your taking it to the cut rate shops that only hire fresh out of high school kids like Auto Zone. Time to take it to a general repair shop and take the tech for a ride and once the wobble starts say that's what I want fixed.
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Agreed.

Also, the tie-rod ends, idler arm, pitman arm, steering box, wheel bearings, motor mounts, trans mount, & U-joints should all be re-checked to ensure they were not previously over-looked & that everything is tightened to spec.

[stsalvage]

One other thing you need to start checking is your Tires.How old are they see if there is any separation in the tread.One other thing I found out in my 1972 3/4 ton was the rear leaf springs where moving and at 35--45 makes the truck really dangerous to drive.Jack up the rear end put jack stands under the frame and the bumper and let the rear end hang.

this deal needs 2 people to do

See if your rear end moves if not start it up.Put it in drive while your in the air and have a friend step on the gas peddle and see any rocking going on back there.

Remember the tail can wag the dog

if your rear end is lose or the rubbers are shot your front end can be as tight as possible but it will feel like the whole truck is lose.

Remember this is a used truck.

the word truck means is to be used as a Junk truck dump truck trash truck and so on abuse Yes it will and it has been.Never think for one minute you found a truck thas has not been abused.

Always check out everything

I have a check list of what i will replace on the truck before i drive it.

All belts and hoses are to be junked, Replace all battery cables a must a new battery would be a big improvement. Radiator get's rodded out or replaced.All brakes are inspected for leaks and wear the rear drums are turned and the front rotor are turned if the pads are new i will leave them New plug wires cap and rotor replaced.Wheel bearing token off and checked and if ok repacked and put back in.Check all brake lines.I like to replace the rear rubber brake line.Bleed all brakes until clean fluid can be seen coming out check oil if dirty Put new oil in.New air filter new oil filter.New fuel filter best off to have 2 of them on your truck.check your Trans oil best off drain it replace the filter and pan gasket check rear end gear oil if there is a leak drain rear end clean out put new gasket on and refill.Check drive shaft Lube all Zerk fittings move drive shaft up and down to feel for looseness.Front end Grease all Zerk fittings in front end makes truck ride better do this every 6 months all Zerk fittings.

That is what i do before the truck hits the black top.everything that can go wrong will go wrong in these places. Me i would Power wash the engine bay under the truck and the transmission and rear end and let it dry for 1 day and go out and start working on it.

Be sure to cover the alternator and distributor and the carburetor before you power wash the engine bay warm up the truck before you power wash it and use so degreaser I like the foam type and take a wire bush and wash the engine down and use the wire brush on all area's that you can reach to get off all hard oil grime and dirt wash the front A arms and keep it clean then you will have one nice running truck all 6 of of mine look good from under neath and under the hood