Suburban Wandering and Pulling
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Teching In
Joined: May 2003
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Suburban Wandering and Pulling I have a 97 Suburban. Just purchased used. I have had it aligned and front end checked. Steering box does not appear to be "loose". Truck is pulling right when on right side of highway..and a little left on left side. Truck wanders..and is a son of a gun to keep straight. It just takes concentration to drive. And when I hook up my 22 ft 2000 pound trailer, it only gets worse. any ideas?
Re: Suburban Wandering and Pulling 2wd or 4wd?? You cant judge the alignment if there is" road crown " i.e. pulls right in right lane etc. Did your alignment shop slot out the upper control arms mounts as part of the alignment? Ball joints have been known to cause a drift/wander problem on these, but 2 or 4wd makes a ton of differance in the diagnostics involved.
Re: Suburban Wandering and Pulling This truck got a suspension lift, or aftermarket wheels with deeper than stock backspacing?
Are the wheel bearings in good condition? Have had a rash of idler arms & pitman arms(those are lots of fun!
)
This is a 1500 1/2 ton sub right? with c/v axle front end? Like I saib b-4 had ball joint cause this problem ,just went nuts
checking everything before finding them! 
Are the wheel bearings in good condition? Have had a rash of idler arms & pitman arms(those are lots of fun!
)This is a 1500 1/2 ton sub right? with c/v axle front end? Like I saib b-4 had ball joint cause this problem ,just went nuts
checking everything before finding them! Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Re: Suburban Wandering and Pulling Truck is completly stock...1500 1/2 ton sub
I will have someone look at the ball joints...I do not know what to look for in inspecting them...
Thanks for the help..if you have any more ideas..let me know.
I will have someone look at the ball joints...I do not know what to look for in inspecting them...
Thanks for the help..if you have any more ideas..let me know.
Re: Suburban Wandering and Pulling The fact that the truck has the aerodynamics of a lunch box doesn't help either. Have you checked your air pressure in your tires? My Camaro is doing the same thing lately, but not bad. I don't remember it ever doing that.
Re: Suburban Wandering and Pulling You should check them loaded ,I.E. w/jack under controll arm 2 people & check for loosness. Check them unloaded for loosness. Then use prybar unloaded & see if you can induce play. Any play is unacceptable. Then last remove tire, disconnect tie rod from steering knuckle& use a LB dail gauge & see how much force is required to move the steering knuckle 40# -50# tops if not replace them. If they need replacement be sure to tourque the castle nuts to spec upon reinstallation. Good luck!
