Pulling left after new alignment

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Erickk120

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Just curious if anybody has any experience with alignment specs/settings. I had my truck realigned because I noticed the right tire was getting an outer rub like contact. Got it there got it done, afterwards i started noticing that when i drive on the left most lane, with a crown bias on the right, the truck slowly starts turning left, after a few secs the steering just banks 45 degrees to the left and it pulls harder. If in the opposite side the truck pulls barely right after a bit, but the steering wheel doesnt get a mind of its own. On paper the alignment appears alright but I'm a bit clueless when it comes to proper alignment settings and suspension angles. Here is the print out. Thanks for reading!

P_20190811_234901_p.jpg
 

swathdiver

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Just curious if anybody has any experience with alignment specs/settings. I had my truck realigned because I noticed the right tire was getting an outer rub like contact. Got it there got it done, afterwards i started noticing that when i drive on the left most lane, with a crown bias on the right, the truck slowly starts turning left, after a few secs the steering just banks 45 degrees to the left and it pulls harder. If in the opposite side the truck pulls barely right after a bit, but the steering wheel doesnt get a mind of its own. On paper the alignment appears alright but I'm a bit clueless when it comes to proper alignment settings and suspension angles. Here is the print out. Thanks for reading!

View attachment 228592

Looks like a GMT800, what year and tires and wheel are on it? GM has specs for each body style and for each particular OE tire. We have a few here well versed in wheel alignments, I'm not one of them.
 
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Erickk120

Erickk120

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04 tahoe z71 "17 inch OEM, previous alignment was pretty spot on, wish I had kept that sheet to compare,
Running michelin defenders about 10k miles on them.
 

jeffsyukon

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You could try rotating the front tires side to side to see if the pull follows. Also make sure your tires are inflated equally left and right.

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Scottydoggs

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the ifs does do a number on the front tires. with 10k on em id put the fronts on the back, backs on the front. just jack up one side and swap em. then do the other. i dont like the x pattern rotation. i like to keep them spinning the same direction their whole life once mounted. back tires should be worn dead flat across the tire, much more so then the fronts.
 

SnowDrifter

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******* toe and go hacks. Didn't touch camber or caster. Bring it back and tell them to do it right. Looks like the alignment tech got lazy. It's right on the edge of spec - hit a grain of sand too fast and it'll be out

Camber with both sides to the left would cause a pullaas you're describing

For a check: rotate tires. Swap left and right sides. Even if they're directional, it'll work for this quick check. Does it still pull to the left? Or no?

Don't forget to check tire pressure if you've not done so. And while you have the car in the air, give everything a spin and make sure nothings binding.

Your tires are all the same size right?
 
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Erickk120

Erickk120

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Took it back today, Chris you were spot on, My right tie rod was already way off from hitting manholes, nothing crazy deep or bad shape just deep enough to feel them, and enough to throw it out of alignment, Right toe was already at .19* from the last .05. Sadly my one year expired, so next time I will have to pay again, I would honestly rather pay per alignment and get a proper alignment with everything spot on, than to keep losing time and going back to them for a yearly fixed amount. I'm pretty much fed with Tire plus, the only good one is about 50 miles from me and its busy all the time, so any specific place you guys use when it comes to alignments?
 

SnowDrifter

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Took it back today, Chris you were spot on, My right tie rod was already way off from hitting manholes, nothing crazy deep or bad shape just deep enough to feel them, and enough to throw it out of alignment, Right toe was already at .19* from the last .05. Sadly my one year expired, so next time I will have to pay again, I would honestly rather pay per alignment and get a proper alignment with everything spot on, than to keep losing time and going back to them for a yearly fixed amount. I'm pretty much fed with Tire plus, the only good one is about 50 miles from me and its busy all the time, so any specific place you guys use when it comes to alignments?
I have a lifetime plan through Firestone. Your pay / plan doesn't affect the work done. At least it shouldn't. If it does, I'd be quite weary of that company.

I get mine checked and adjusted if needed twice a year. Once going into winter, and again coming out. Keeps the car driving nice and gives me some footing if something should happen to my tires and need to access warranty. Little fine print bit but most places around here will tell you to pound sand if you don't have any paperwork showing your alignment is good.
 

Partsguy61

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I had a very similar situation. When I had 4 new tires installed, Michelin Defenders, it started pulling to the left in all but the right lane on the highway. Tires were swapped side to side in the front and it still pulled to the left. I took it back and they "aligned" it a second and a third time and it still pulls. I took it to a different shop and the tech there said my steering box was bad and that is why it's pulling. It didn't pull like this with my old worn out tires. Can a worn out steering box really have that effect with new tires?
 

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