Truck pulling to the right, bad tire wear

[Blackdog3]

Hey Gang, my K 30 has been pulling to the right like crazy. It wants to keep wreaking its self if I take my hands of the wheel for a second. Also the right front tire is wearing funny, the outside of the tire is going treadless soon. Any ideas? Its a Dana 60 on 35's.

Chris

 

[Swims350]

you need an alignment. could be in the steering, or balljoints, usually one side though is like balljoints or something. Since there isn't much caster camber adjustment other then shims. I would go thru and check everything, tie rods, drag link ball joints etc.

 

[Blackdog3]

I will have to check that. Its on the passenger side, i guess saying pulling right doesn't necessary say where the problem is.

 

[89Suburban]

Make sure a caliper isn;t hanging up too.

 

[animal]

Swims is correct. Not much caster adjustment. I'm with him and would look at the bushings and such on that side.

 

[Swims350]

that will definately make it pull one way or another, but uneven tire wear, on one side usually is worn parts or in need of alignment, and I think the only way you can align solid front axles is shims? I would think worn suspension and steering parts though, most likely balljoint letting it sag or something, but eveything should be checked anyways.

I aint really for sure on the exact front end parts being a k30 and me never working on one, but we did have a k10 and I know what was on it, I just never had to align one with solid front axle before.

 

[crazy4offroad]

There are no balljoints on a Dana 60, you'll need the kingpin rebuild kit. Essentially a spring and bushing set, but a lot easier to replace than a stinkin old balljoint any day lol.
http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/D60kingpinspring-bushing.htm

*Attn ORD haters: For reference only

 

[Swims350]

oohh that was my next question if it had kingpins or not. I forgot about that since it's a k30.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Also, setting camber/caster relies on degree shims under the springs, and adjustable lower kingpins if it really needs it. But if it drove straight for years you shouldn't need any of that, just the kingpin rebuild kit. Probably a weak spring and/or broken/wallered-out bushing.

 

[bucket]

What's wrong with ORD?

And it could be a bad tire too. Swap them side to side and see if the pull goes away or goes the other direction.

 

[crazy4offroad]

What's wrong with ORD?

Greasedog posted something about it here...
http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?p=45417#post45417

 

[bucket]

Ah, OK. I had missed that.

 

[Blackdog3]

Thanks for the responses guys. I was reading the king pin page and it said something about a death wobble. I do not have that. I jacked the truck up and wiggled the tire every which way and had relatively little play. I will swap the tires over and see if that helps. Truck just ran out of inspection too.

Chris

 

[89Suburban]

Thanks for the responses guys. I was reading the king pin page and it said something about a death wobble. I do not have that. I jacked the truck up and wiggled the tire every which way and had relatively little play. I will swap the tires over and see if that helps. Truck just ran out of inspection too.

Chris

Did they spin freely to bro?

 

[crazy4offroad]

There should be zero play. Jack it up and put it on jack stands with the tires still on, get under it and watch the kingpin joints while someone else tries to wiggle the tires, or use a pry bar to check for movement. I've read of people shimming the kingpin spring but it usually doesn't help for long, or causes the bushing to get destroyed. The fact that they are spring loaded would say to me any play at all could be covered up a little, and it may be worse than it seems. And from what I read if you change them be sure to have plenty of grease cartridges on hand.