Cars & Trucks Logo

Related Topics:

A
Anonymous Posted on Mar 03, 2012

1994 chevy k2500 aligned,new tires, new shocks and it still wanders when driven sraight

What else would cause the truck to wander

1 Answer

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jul 03, 2012
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Joined: Jul 03, 2012
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
178
Points
0

The most likely cause is a worn ball and socket (not the 'ball joint' on the suspension) on the Pitman arm for the steering linkage. The steering idler arm's ball and socket may also be worn. The parts are cheap, but it is a PITA to remove the Pitman arm. This can be checked by seeing how much steering wheel play you have before the wheels do anything. Looking at the Pitman arm while doing this may scare you. I drove with a bad one for ~1 year, and was always scared the ball was going to pop out of the socket and result in no steering.

5 Related Answers

Thomas F. Schneider

  • 2715 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 09, 2008

SOURCE: 95 ef ford sedan suspension problem

What was said about the wear of the front end part when the alignment was given? I could be wrong but, I would say, Not likely for the tie rod ends and definately not the shocks for knocking sounds.. It sounds more like bad ball joints poping, although the idler arm and tye rod ends could be worn also .

Ad

Anonymous

  • 3 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 23, 2008

SOURCE: 2004 Nissan Altima Wanders at Highway Speeds

Depending on the tires, it could be a couple of things. I would have the alignment checked. If there isn't enough toe-in, you will get great wear from your tires, but the handling will be loose or will wander.

I had new tires put on our Nissan Maxima and they did a reallignment with not enough toe-in. It became very twitchy at interstate highway speeds. Just a little toe in made a huge difference. I knew what to ask for because I have some racing background. We could go faster with less toe-in, because it reduces the resistance on the rolling tires, but also makes it more sensitive to the road surface, side winds and tire wear.

But there also shouldn't be any slop in the tie rods, etc...

Anonymous

  • 7353 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 18, 2009

SOURCE: light steering and wander

Have the alignment checked, after all that, its got to be off spec.

Anonymous

  • 239 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 15, 2010

SOURCE: 2007 DODGE RAM 1500 CASTER ON RIGHT SIDE WONT COME

The actual caster spec is not very significant - the handling is what counts. The caster will not cause a shimmy. Shimmy could be caused by tire problems, worn or damaged steering or suspension parts, bad shock absorbers or a bent wheel. As long as the vehicle does not pull and the handling is satisfactory, the caster is OK, If the tires are not wearing and the vehicle hamdles OK - don't worry about "specs." I have done a LOT of alignments where the readings did not match the specs, but the result was satisfactory.

Anonymous

  • 225 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 28, 2010

SOURCE: I have a steering problem. Vehicle wanders and

A low tire will cause the truck to pull to one side,check the air preasure on the side that the truck pulls to.And of course who ever did the alignment may have made a mistake when doing the alignment.

Ad

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

Steering wandering had ball joints track rod ends done for mot last couple of years tracking been done cars wanders when driving quite scary

There are many reasons for wandering, I should highly recommend you do some serious looking before you drive any trips, or any higher speeds until you have the front end checked by a reputable mechanic (one highly recommended.)
Here are some reasons for wandering.
1) A bad tire (the tire can look fine, but be bad.)
2) A bad "front end alignment".
This is repairable, but good shops will not fix it until and unless the whole "front end of the car" is in good order.
3) A worn component in the "front end".
God bless your efforts.
0helpful
1answer

Steering wanders on uneven parts of freeway, makes it hard to control vehicle and stay in your lane. I checked steering components for looseness and added a stabilizer kit also adjusted gear box play but...

tires are ok airpressure you have a joint on the end of the steering colume check for seizing up or loose as well are all the steering and suspension components tight have you checked balljoints,tierods,shocks,coils,and table bushings very important no loose anywhere
0helpful
1answer

Nissan problem

This is a very typical issue on lifted vehicles being driven on the street. It is important to know that when a vehicle is lifted, the steering and suspension geometry change and characteristics will change as well.
My first concern would be with front wheel alignment. If front caster angles are too severe, the will fight each other over rough surfaces and cause the truck to wander or feel like a shake.
Also, front toe angles are crucial for proper tire wear and stability.
Have the front end aligned and checked. If there are no alignment issues, focus on the shocks and that steering stabilizer. Was the problem there before you installed the stabilizer? If not, check it for proper oil/ gas charge.
Weak or worn shocks will cause the tires to bounce and leave the road over bumps. Since the truck and been lifted, make sure the shocks are the proper length. If they are too short (even by as little as 20mm), they cause rebound problems and make the opposing side overcompensate with a bouncing effect.
0helpful
1answer

WANDERS WHILE DRIVING,NO FIGHTING OF WHEEL TO CORRECT, IT JUST DRIFTS

Drifting can be caused by under inflated or very worn tires. Improper alignment angles can also cause this issue. Have the tires and front end inspected for worn bushing and correct alignment.
0helpful
1answer

I have a steering problem. Vehicle wanders and

A low tire will cause the truck to pull to one side,check the air preasure on the side that the truck pulls to.And of course who ever did the alignment may have made a mistake when doing the alignment.
0helpful
1answer

Light steering and wander

Have the alignment checked, after all that, its got to be off spec.
1helpful
1answer

2007 DODGE RAM 1500 CASTER ON RIGHT SIDE WONT COME INTO SPEC GETTING SOME SHIMMY?? truck has 95,000 miles was last aligned with about 40,000 miles after a tire blowout and a bent rim alignment was...

The actual caster spec is not very significant - the handling is what counts. The caster will not cause a shimmy. Shimmy could be caused by tire problems, worn or damaged steering or suspension parts, bad shock absorbers or a bent wheel. As long as the vehicle does not pull and the handling is satisfactory, the caster is OK, If the tires are not wearing and the vehicle hamdles OK - don't worry about "specs." I have done a LOT of alignments where the readings did not match the specs, but the result was satisfactory.
0helpful
1answer

2004 Nissan Altima Wanders at Highway Speeds

Depending on the tires, it could be a couple of things. I would have the alignment checked. If there isn't enough toe-in, you will get great wear from your tires, but the handling will be loose or will wander.

I had new tires put on our Nissan Maxima and they did a reallignment with not enough toe-in. It became very twitchy at interstate highway speeds. Just a little toe in made a huge difference. I knew what to ask for because I have some racing background. We could go faster with less toe-in, because it reduces the resistance on the rolling tires, but also makes it more sensitive to the road surface, side winds and tire wear.

But there also shouldn't be any slop in the tie rods, etc...
1helpful
2answers

95 ef ford sedan suspension problem

What was said about the wear of the front end part when the alignment was given? I could be wrong but, I would say, Not likely for the tie rod ends and definately not the shocks for knocking sounds.. It sounds more like bad ball joints poping, although the idler arm and tye rod ends could be worn also .
Not finding what you are looking for?

188 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Chevrolet Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

john h

Level 3 Expert

29494 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

Are you a Chevrolet Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...