Pulls left - UPDATE

Ok so I bought this 09 a little over a month ago. Bought it in ‘as Is’ condition, was a trade in at a GM dealership.
Needed a few minor repairs before it could be licensed here - right upper balljoint, an axle, windshield, and some minor odds n ends. In pretty decent overall shape though. Has coil spring spacers up front and blocks in the back. Basically just a leveling kit.

Had the balljoint done at a very trustworthy shop, and an alignment as well. Prior to the balljoint and alignment, the truck pulled fairly hard to the left.
Once the balljoint and alignment was done, the truck drove straight and true for about 5-6 days (I took it for a 1600km drive from Winnipeg to Sioux Falls and back the day after alignment and balljoint).
After that, it began to pull left again. In the city it’s not super noticeable at lower speeds. Once out on the highway, it’s pretty noticeable and pulls harder at times than others, but always to the left.
Tires all inflated properly, no signs of abnormal wear either (yet)
I haven’t had time yet to look at the front end, I’ll get to it in the next little while. Also going to try rotating X the tires if i don’t find anything obvious with the front end.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Anyone with the same experience?

 

Check the brake caliper it may be sticking keeping the brake applied. When it is doing this drive it for a bit and then get out and check to see if the caliper/wheel is very hot.

 

Never even considered that...doesn’t ‘feel’ like a sticky caliber but I’ll check it out

 

Start with X rotate. Many good alignments are ruined by simple tire wear.

 

No clunking at all, fluid appears to have been changed somewhat recently. Still pretty clear and not murky at all. If I can’t find a solution I’ll def be taking back to the place that aligned it

 

Will do

 

Good call

 

What is the lift amount? Ask for a print out of alignment numbers. Share that info so we can give better feed back.

 

Spacers up front, 1.5” and blocks in the back, 2”.
If it goes back for an alignment I’ll get the printout and update you

 

Running 265 70 17 Goodyear wranglers on kmc wheels if that matters at all to you

 

It could also be something as simple as tire pressure being off from one side to the other

 

Yup you bet. Tire pressures are all good

 

Ok just a quick update here.

Had another balljoint done along with another alignment (2 alignments in two months).
Alignment cams all tight.
Tires have been rotated (yes pressures are all fine and no the tires aren’t worn funny etc)
Have had a pair of different shops do a full steering and suspension inspection and nothing is worn out or in need of repair.

No I don’t have the alignment printout to post so don’t ask. I did see the numbers though and they were well within tolerance and this truck should be driving dead straight by all accounts.

STILL pulls hard left.


Any decent suggestions?

 

Could one side of the rear axel have shifted a little bit crooked at the leaf spring U -bolts?

 

This is where I'd go back to the alignment shop and say: "Hey, what's up... it's pulling left." Play a little dumb and let them figure it out. You did pay them.

 

Other suggestions are all good ones. I will say if you look at the tolerances they are pretty broad. Just because each side is within specs does not mean it is ok. Unless most of your roads are really crowned each angle needs to be almost identical. Some shops feel that if each side is within specs they feel it is good to go. They either don't know enough or are to lazy to do it right. The tech doing the work may also be given a time limit by management. There are also ways to manipulate what the numbers are on the print out. Most shops probably think customers don't understand the numbers and they can just tell the customer every thing is good just because the numbers are in tolerance.

 

After a second balljoint replacement, I would be tempted to replace every ball joint, and every serviceable link & bushing in the front suspension. Just start with everything new, then get it aligned again. If you just had two balljoints fail (or wear beyond limits), don't you think there are a lot of other things that may start wearing out about now too?

But I have a little OCD that has served me well...lol

 

Remember, the camber bolts on the lower control arms of 2nd gen Tacomas are famous for rusting and binding up internally. This is especially true in areas where road salt is used. If somebody tried to align a truck with bound up camber bolts, strange things can happen. For instance, the tech could try and fail, then just leave it out of spec. Or, they could partially twist the rubber bushings and think they had it right, but not. I'd be real interested to see the numbers before and now.

 

Also some alignment techs are just lazy, so unless you trust them or seen the numbers on the screen of the alignment machine, it’s Easy to push against alignment heads to get the the numbers to look good without actually making adjustments.. or playing with the frame angle measurement to get the caster within spec without actually doing anything to the vehicle.. all to make it look good on paper without actually doing anything.

 

OP, I for one would like to see some alignment numbers. If you take it back have them include the diagnostic angles SAI and Included Angle so we can see if something might be bent. These are automatically done in the machine and is just a matter pushing a button to include them. Free. If they look at you funny, you know you have a bigger problem with that place...