Issues with my suspension. Got an alignment but my tires still aren't straight.

Got a 92 Silverado 1500. When i bought it, it needed an alignment and i was needing to look for new tires. The wheels were so out of alignment. The tires were aligned like so. (\ /) <-- Picture the tires up front. I went to go get it aligned and when i got it back the tires looked like this. (| /) The passenger tire still poked to the right a bit. The tire shop claimed that the alignment isn't bad because it is done on a machine with lasers or something. They said to come by another day to check the suspension but they have not been able to because their lift is broken. Can any of you tell me what might be inflicting my tires from pointing straight? Any common suspension issues on a 92 Silverado 1500?

For starters, this may sound stupid but it's amazing out many people don't think of it, is the truck on level ground when you're seeing this?

You can check to see if you upper or lower (probably upper in this case) ball joint is shot. If the shop that did the alignment is worth a damn they should've seen it if it actually is bad.

That's where I'd start. For what it's worth, I've had illusions of my alignments over the years and when they show it to me on the rack everything is straight. Concrete does some funny stuff.

whiplash473 said:

For starters, this may sound stupid but it's amazing out many people don't think of it, is the truck on level ground when you're seeing this?

You can check to see if you upper or lower (probably upper in this case) ball joint is shot. If the shop that did the alignment is worth a damn they should've seen it if it actually is bad.

That's where I'd start. For what it's worth, I've had illusions of my alignments over the years and when they show it to me on the rack everything is straight. Concrete does some funny stuff.

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No it is not on level ground, but i am pretty sure it's still out of alignment. I have to fight the steering wheel and turn it to a slight left to keep it straight. If i actually have my steering wheel straight, it will pull to the right.

Diego0123005 said:

No it is not on level ground, but i am pretty sure it's still out of alignment. I have to fight the steering wheel and turn it to a slight left to keep it straight. If i actually have my steering wheel straight, it will pull to the right.

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Something ain't right, haha. Is it pulled hard or just a little? Some shops don't account for the crown in the road as much as others.


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whiplash473 said:

Something ain't right, haha. Is it pulled hard or just a little? Some shops don't account for the crown in the road as much as others.


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It pulls hard. When im stationary the tires are like this ( | / ) and while im fighting the steering wheel the tires go back to this (\ /)

Diego0123005 said:

It pulls hard. When im stationary the tires are like this ( | / ) and while im fighting the steering wheel the tires go back to this (\ /)

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I'd check the ball joints.

Are the tires toe'd in or out at all?


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whiplash473 said:

I'd check the ball joints.

Are the tires toe'd in or out at all?


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When the steering wheel is straight and the truck is parked the front passenger tire is toe out. When i am fighting it to keep the truck straight (steering wheel at a slight left) both tires are toe out

I'd start going through your front end components, mainly your tie rods, pitman arm, and idler arm.


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Have the upper control arms had the knock-outs done?

sewlow said:

Have the upper control arms had the knock-outs done?

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I forgot all about that.


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