LC pulls to the right.

[Hog Head]

I bought new tires last month, 265x75x16 Yokohama Geolander A/T's, and it has pulled to the right since. Went back to America's tire yesterday and had them rebalanced and rotated. It still pulls to the right. Could the old tires have been worn out enough that I did not notice this before? They jacked th LC up with four floor jacks under the axles. Could they have damaged anything? It does not pull hard, just enough to be noticeable on the highway. Should I just get the allignment checked before I start looking for other problems?

 

[landtank]

I'd start with the brakes and wheel bearings on that side first.

 

[Hog Head]

I'd start with the brakes and wheel bearings on that side first.

I understand checking the wheel bearings, but why the brakes? It pulls when I am not braking.

Could it be possible that one of the kids at the tire shop placed the jack under the control arm and damaged it or are they beefy enough to handle thart kind of punishment?

 

[landtank]

if the calipers are sticking a little they can drag on that wheel and cause a pull.

 

[Hog Head]

if the calipers are sticking a little they can drag on that wheel and cause a pull.

Now I understand. What is the best way to tell if they are sticking?

 

[landtank]

jack up the truck and try to rotate the wheel. If they are sticking enough you can warp the rotors, is there any pulsing when you apply the brakes?

 

[Hog Head]

No, it brakes very smoothly.

 

[Hog Head]

By the way, I just wanted to thank you for the help landtank. If it would only stop raining here!

 

[sdbrassfield]

Also check to see if the right side is building up a significant amount more heat on the caliper and rim than the other. You can also use your nose. If the caliper is sticking you can get that burnt brake smell while or just after you drive.

Is it pulling harder to the right when you brake? That is a sure symptom...If it not then it may be bearing related...

 

[ed97fzj80]

Checking the other problems is essentially free, but I had the same problem you describe and in my case it was alignment. I'd start with what these guys are saying.

 

[CJF]

Another free test: Swap the two front tires. If it changes anything, they sold you a bad tire.

 

[notyourmomslx450]

jack up the truck and try to rotate the wheel. If they are sticking enough you can warp the rotors, is there any pulsing when you apply the brakes?

Sorry for the hijack. I'll make it quick. Mine doesn't pull, but I noticed it pulsing when I stopped the other day. Does that mean my rotors are warped?

 

[Kalawang]

If you want to check if your rotors are warped, just run you fingers along the surface.


Kalawang

 

[Kalawang]

I bought new tires last month, 265x75x16 Yokohama Geolander A/T's, and it has pulled to the right since. Went back to America's tire yesterday and had them rebalanced and rotated. It still pulls to the right. Could the old tires have been worn out enough that I did not notice this before? They jacked th LC up with four floor jacks under the axles. Could they have damaged anything? It does not pull hard, just enough to be noticeable on the highway. Should I just get the allignment checked before I start looking for other problems?

It's been a very long time since I was in the States, but I seem to remember that vehicles there used to be set for a very little pull to the right to let the car drift to the curb when the drivers hands were off the wheel. Would this possibly be what you are feeling ?


Kalawang

 

[KliersLC]

I'd say that the most likely culprit is your alignment. If you have perfect alignment, then the crown on the road will cause the truck to pull to the downhill side a bit. Especially on highways as they run a bit more crown to get the water off faster.

Also, shouldn't be an issue but check your tire pressure, if the bearings and brakes check out, and the pull is not real bad, you can do a poor man's alignment and drop tire pressure on the left front about 3-5 PSI.
Not really the best idea but it works. Ideally inflate the right side 2psi over and deflate the left 2psi, This only takes care of a slight pull, and anything more drastic than this will be unsafe.

Dan

 

[concretejungle]

Another free test: Swap the two front tires. If it changes anything, they sold you a bad tire.

I was going to suggest the same. I have had one tire pulling constantly with my truxus tires since new. It will pull to which ever side the one "bad" tire is.

 

[landtank]

Sorry for the hijack. I'll make it quick. Mine doesn't pull, but I noticed it pulsing when I stopped the other day. Does that mean my rotors are warped?

Could be, with that you would want to check your e-brake for seizing as that can warp the rear rotors and give you pulsing in the brake pedal.

 

[landtank]

If you want to check if your rotors are warped, just run you fingers along the surface.


Kalawang

You have to have one highly calibrated finger my friend.

 

[Land Bruiser]

By the way, I just wanted to thank you for the help landtank. If it would only stop raining here!

It has been raining like crazy! 1996 revisted...

 

[Options20002001]

Mine pulls to the right too....just slightly but noticible. Had the alignment done at the dealer but nothing changed. Funny thing is that this only happens when driving North (away from the coast) at about 75 mph and not when driving South. So I figure that it is probably the wind and the magnitude of the pull depends on how hard it is blowing. Perhaps, I need to check the other things mentioned here before reaching this conclusion though.