Truck drifting to right

I have a couple of thoughts. If I remember correctly, the idler arm on this model has slotted holes in the frame where it bolts up. It's a common mistake to not re-align the idler arm properly so that the steering geometry of the center link and the rest of the linkage is horizontal. If this is not correct, you will get that "bump" steer that you are describing. The other item, drifting to the right....may be related to the idler arm problem, but if not, the alignment tech needs to "tweak" the caster so that it's slightly higher on the right side then the left. I don't know what your alignment figures are....did you get a printout after the alignment was done? If so, post the numbers here, and maybe we can see if there is something that could be changed.

Since caster changes do not wear tires....it's by far the more effective angle to change on a double wishbone front suspension when dealing with a pull. And on an S-10 truck, it's very simple to change as you have eccentric bolts in the upper control arms to change the caster/camber angles.

Ian

I would add that not all alignment shops are equal. My new Astro van pulled to the right, and no tire swap would fix it. I took it to Les Schwab and paid $25 or so for an alignment that took 45 minutes. The van pulled worse than before. I then took it to a place in Vegas that was known for front end work and still used the old Bear alignment system. They spent almost 3 hours on it and charged me only $60. It now drives very nearly perfect.

I think the cheap shops may have guys that don't fully understand the numbers the computers spit out either.

Thanks for the reply, I read about the idler arm adjustment and asked them to look at that also, sorry I didn't say that. They didn't give me a print out of the number just an overall sheet stating "alignment". I'll call them about the caster and see what they say.

Thanks

John

Thanks for the reply. I took my truck to Hoover Wheel Alignment. Thats pretty much all they do. The alignment cost me $45 and then for the torsion bar and idler arm adjustment cost me another $15. They spent at least an hour and a half with it. I'll call them up and see what they say. I've heard something about a 4 wheel alignment, can that be done on my truck?

Thanks

John

Just remember this...next time you get an alignment....insist on a printout showing "before" and "after" alignment readings. Any competent alignment shop should provide you with this type of printout. Otherwise, you have no clue as to what they actually did. Even if "you" don't understand the readout.....someone will.

Ian