Truck can't get aligned, pulls right

Ah thanks yeah just seems easier to get the tape measure straight back to that rather than at an angle to the frame itself (hard to know for sure how accurate it is side to side when using a tape measure at an angle). I figured if the frame were somehow bent in the back it would move the hitch too

 

I'm interested in one more "photo" if you will. take a pic along the axle tube to the inside of the back-plate. just for kicks when you get a chance. see if it's a little off maybe?

 

I'm going to have to get that one when I have the rear tires off next, but I can tell you that I've looked at it real closely from every angle and I can't visually see any indication that the axle is tweaked to one side or the frame for that matter. Both rear tires point dead ahead as far as I can tell, but I do know even a slight difference side to side can create a pull esp on the highway.

I know there's no adjustments to be made in the rear on the solid axle, but hypothetically speaking it's almost like my driver rear tire has too much caster on side vs the other (I know that's not technically a thing on the rear but just for the sake of understanding).

I'll get another alignment done soon as I think it's the only thing that's going to help break this down. The pull might be a separate issue from the rear end issue.

 

Kinda makes me think the bed is just bent ya know

 

Using a reference point on the body for checking suspention isn't the best way to check your alignment, the body is mounted with bushings, and shims so the body could be slightly off making you think your suspention is off. The best way to check it would be park it on a flat surface, jack it up and put all four corners on stands with the suspention under weight. Measure from the center of the front hub to the center of the rear hub.

How do the tires look?? Are the rear cupped of feathering?? Does the truck track straight going down the road?? Have someone follow you down a straight road and make sure the truck isn't "crab walking"

 

I was thinking about having someone check the stance from driving behind me. I've led a few caravans with people behind me and never had anyone mention it being off but I'll do it again and have them look for it. Tire wear is normal on all 4 got about 20k on them currently. Tracks to the right.

The body mounts idea is interesting, I'll check those out and see how they look.

 

Thats the point, if you check different places you might find a (the) problem. It would be nice to know where the axle is in relation to the cab anyway.

Without access to a fancy alignment machine, I'd be throwing my tape measure all over that thing, the more info the better

Checking hub to hub diagonally like you mentioned is a good idea too. Use a plumb bob at each corner and chalk the floor

 

Hook a tape on the back of the rear wheel at the center and pull a measurement to the back of the front wheel on both sides, make sure that your steering wheel is straight. If your caster is off even a little it will show there. I recently did a driveway alignment with some straightedges, a level and a tape measure and it got rid of all of my pull (into oncoming traffic, haha) and I’m seriously considering NOT bringing it to an alignment shop

 

Hmm l'll look into one of those.. Yeah we're right at the bottom of the San Gabriel Mtns so it's not too flat here. But I can find a place to make it work, my work's parking lot would do the trick

 

Sub and good luck. I want to know what it turns out to be.

 

A plumb bob and chalk lines is the best way to figure it all out, but like I said before, the body is independent from the frame and suspention so using the body as reference points can screw you up more then answer questions.

If you drop a plumb bob off the sides of the front frame rails, as well as off the back and put marks on the floor, measure the distance in-between the marks side to side and divide that # by two and place those marks on the ground as well, pull a string line front to back across the two center marks and you should have a perfect centerline of your chassis. From that point you can find the center of thw rear axle and make sure it is centered in the frame.

How long have you had the truck?? How long after you got the truck did it start to pull?? Did it just start one day, or did it get progressively worse over time?? Do the tires show any abnormal ware?? Did you do any repairs/mods prior to it starting??

 

Thanks, I'm going to have to look into how to use the plumb bob as this is the first time I've heard of one. But your description makes it sound pretty simple, I'll see about picking one up from Home Depot.

I've had the truck since 2016, it had 24k miles on it when I got it...bone stock minus the supercharger. This wasn't an issue back then. This didn't happen until around the time I installed my All Pro Expo leaf springs about a year ago. Although I can't say it happened at the same time...I was doing a lot of offroading and camping back then, pretty much every weekend. But I thought it was the leaf springs causing it (I bought them 2nd hand), so I made plans to install brand new custom Alcan leaf springs which I did about 2 weeks ago. The issue persists which made me realize it's not a spring issue.

 

Just one that happened maybe 2 years ago, but it wasn't anything abnormal and it was using the stock tow hook (didn't have a front bumper at the time). Had to get winched over an icy obstacle on a pretty difficult trail because a winter storm came in. I know those tow hooks aren't rated for recovery and I would think that tow hook would break before anything damaging happened to the frame, but who knows.

But for that to effect the rear would be really weird without making the whole truck look like it was bent to one side, which it definitely isn't

 

This seems like a drink and forget type of problem

 

You haven't already started?

 

At work

Not sure that would go over too well, although I am one of maybe a dozen people here so...

 

Depends on where you work. My office had a separate beer and wine fridge

 

I would be leaning toward the frame being slightly tweaked into a diamond shape versus a rectangle knowing that the wheels are different spots in rear wheel well. A body shop would be able to pull measurements from points on the frame and tell you if there’s a problem

 

I don’t mean to sound like a broken record here but there are two things that will cause your issue.

1) A bent axle which you haven’t ruled out yet.

2) A bent frame which if the left and right frame rails are still parallel but shifted then the setback numbers on the alignment sheet will show this. Setback is simply the difference in front/rear position of the front hubs.

In the end, it’s not a complicated investigation, take advice or leave it. No spit balling and racking your brain is needed.

You’ve taken many pointless measurements and haven’t taken a single one I’ve suggested. I’ve been a mechanic for over a decade and probably don’t know what I’m talking about so there’s that... and I probably sound like an ass right now too but you come here for help on finding a solution so it may be to your advantage to listen to advice given.