Allignment Problem??

[marin8703]

Hey I think i have an alignment problem, but has been aligned 2 times now and still same, maybe its normal.

So heres a question for you guys. When you drive down a straight road, no potholes or bumps or whatever, and you let go of the steering wheel, dooes your truck track straight, or does it move to left/right?

Mines seems to prefer to go to the right all the time. I tried on roads slanted to the left(on very slanted roads it would go to the left) and right, and as level as possible and still does the same, goes to the right.

What are you guys experiencing? My Hummer dealer alligned it 2 times( actually they sent it to NTB) and still same.

Thanks!

[Hal]

As you suspect, the truck should go straight.
Could it be brake related? is there uneven wear on any pads or rotors, how about the parking brake is it adjusted properly on both sides?
...just my two cents

[Hal]

...also, where do you drive in Chicago that has no potholes !?!
(I used to live there)

[Wisha Haddan H3]

Mine tracks straight. Is your tire pressure the same on all wheels? Any uneven tire wear?

[f5fstop]

Most alignment shops set the track to track slightly to the left, due to the road crowns. All GOOD roads have a crown to allow water to flow to one side.
From my experience in the Chicago area, which is the same in the Detroit area, it is impossible to keep a good alignment due to the road conditions, and the crowns are very drastic.
If the dealer and an independent say the alignment is correct, and tire pressures are correct (something they are to check during an alignment), then most likely it is road conditions. Also remember, the large tires will emphasis any crowns in the road.

I have not seen any vehicle that tracks perfectly straight, even when leaving the alignment shop.

You could put the tires on a load balancer to check the belts of the tire (affects pull) and the tire force variation, but that is usually indicated by vibration more than pull.

[marin8703]

thanks alot everyone, from what i understand, its no big deal. I have checked the tire pressure and they are all good and even, but i havent checked breaks or anything. I wont worry about it for now, but ill take a look at them first chance i get.

Hal, thats a great question! I live in chicago and potholes are plentiful, but just to check this tracking thing out i took it to Palwaukee municipal airport by prospect heights, and did a quick run on the runway. Runway is as level and straight as i could find to run the test.

Anyway, its just a little pull to the right which is not too big of a deal, just wanted to make sure.

Thanks for the responses!

[lotus4s]

Have you adjusted your torsion bars at all?

[ROADNOTCA]

Swap left to right etc., see if it makes a difference.

[marin8703]

havent made any adjustments to torsion bars yet. Ill try swaping when i take a look at the brakes. Thanks for the ideas.

[f5fstop]

More likely cause, if there is one, is the tires. Switch them and see if the pull goes to the other side.
However, if there is a slight pull to the right, the alignment shop maybe compensating for a left road crown.

Now, in regard to the runway. Are you sure there is no crown to one side or the other? If no crown, water will pool on the concrete. It might be a slight crown, but I would think there is one to help water runoff.

[ROADNOTCA]

Pull may be different than light throttle drift. I know original Minis and Austin Americas pulled right, don't know about first generation K5 blazers with fulltime 4WD. Of course OR one can't tell.

[marin8703]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

Now, in regard to the runway. Are you sure there is no crown to one side or the other? If no crown, water will pool on the concrete. It might be a slight crown, but I would think there is one to help water runoff.

as always you know your stuff f5fstop. I didnt even think about that. I dont remember but i dont think the runway was grooved so as you say it must have been either rounded overall or had a crown. Im gonna check which one it is. I tried traking the center of the runway, so if its rounded my results could still have some marginal results.

However if it has a crown to one side or the other which is very likely, then those results would be BS.

Thanks for pointing that out, cant beleive i overlooked that , and thanks for everyones responses!