torinalth

So, the past two alignments I have gotten were underwhelming. Both of them have stated they were dead on the numbers, but when driving I have to have the steering wheel turned to the right to go strait. Is this a common issue, or something I am missing? both alignments were done at different shops, so it's not the same machine or tech. I am lifted on coilovers, but that shouldn't affect the toe, and I have the camber plates/nuts and got the camber back into spec. Anything else I am missing?

Secondly, I am not sure if it is alignment related or tire related: but I just got new tires, 305/55-20 Toyo AT2s at the same time as I get the alignment. While driving strait or taking a turn the truck is very stable, but when I make minor corrections back and forth with the steering wheel the front end tends to float and wallow like an old 70s cadillac. Is that the norm for the larger tires even though they are E rated? or is this more of the suspension toe being off and thus its pulling weird?

nickel_work87

The walling could be because of low tire pressure. What psi are you running. I had the same thing with my and the alightment shop got the wheel straight and it doesn't pull anymore.

torinalth

dunno about pressure yet. been tied up, but will check when I get free in a couple hours. the ride is decidedly firmer so I am not sure if it is the sidewall or tire pressure causing it (or both).

MT-Ford

I would rotate the tires, sometimes even new tires have problems.

torinalth

So, cold tire pressure is 40 psi, after drive home they were 42.

I'm going to take it back in tomorrow and see if they can fix the alignment, again, and will have them rotate the tires as well to test that theory. Any other ideas as to why two alignments in a row both have my steering wheel off to the right?

BassAckwards

The machine will tell them your toe is correct because it is, they just didn't put your steering wheel straight and then set the toe. You could turn your wheel 90° to the right and adjust the tie rods so your toe is perfect if you wanted to. Unless your truck is walking on you the toe is probably fine the shop just didn't want to bother getting your steering wheel perfectly straight when alignment rack shows the toe is fine.

When I did my front end job in my driveway (ball joints, tie rods, control arms etc.) I set the toe as good as I could by the naked eye and hopped in my truck to take it to the alignment shop and realized my steering wheel was cocked about 60° to the right. It's normal just need to tell the shop you want it perfect.

papa tiger

Stabilizer bars?

torinalth

Now that is the REAL pisser. Guy asked me to double check I was happy with the wheel being strait before he started the toe... and it was indeed dead nuts strait before he started. Your explanation makes perfect sense though, so I dunno... maybe his little brace moved or fell off during the process?

Tiger - what about stabalizer bars? I have upgraded hellwig front and the rear, did you have any more information

BassAckwards

There could be a little play in the steering wheel linkage maybe. That might be what's allowing it to be off ever so slightly even though when you checked it for the tech it seemed straight.

torinalth

hmmm, maybe I should put some perspective to make sure we are all on the same page. When I say the steering wheel is off to the right, I personally would not call it slight. To go strait the wheel is rotated roughly 20-25* clockwise. I'll take it in tomorrow and if its still not right then i'll make the adjustments myself to get it strait and assume the toe is the correct in relation to each wheel.