Will 1" over shackle lift effect alignment??

[hodag]

I just got done installing new poly bushings and 1" over shackles. After I finished, I noticed my steering wheel is cocked about 10 degrees to the right, where it was dead straight before.

The truck still seems to track fairly straight, but I have to hold more pressure to the wheel. It also follows road grooves more than before.

I am running 31x10.5s and the tread is 40%, they are balanced. I had no problems like this before the lift.

I read the thread on home alignment, is this as good of a place to start as any?? Any suggestions??

Thanks, Hodag

 

[agent orange]

Its not really an alignment issue, its just that your rig sits higher at rest than it did before, and as a result the drag link is pulled to one side. Its the same way on my rig after my lift. It is my understanding that all you need to do is lengthen the drag link (ie turn the rod) so that the steering wheel is centered. There may be some type of adjustment required to keep slop out of the linkages, but its pretty straight forward. My fiance had her '71 satellite (RIP) aligned at a local shop, and they suggested that we replace her pitman arm. That made the steering wheel offcentered, and afterwards the shop adjusted it for free, its not really a big deal. It might be worth your time to do the whole alignment while youre at it.

 

[VETTE60]

it will follow the groves more as you have increased leverage on the shackles by adding length.

 

[kling-on]

follows the road more cause you changed caster with the shackles I put 3deg shims in for my 1 1/2 J/T shackles and mine drive fine now and the wheel off cause of the hight diff

 

[euclid]

From the FAQ:
Do your own alignment

If the steering wheel isn't centered you 1. can pull the steering wheel off and center it or 2.lengthen the drag link (ie turn the rod) per Agent Orage. To pull the steering wheel I use a steering wheel puller I got at Auto Zone for $15. Some make pullers from scratch. Some just jerk on it till it pops off. Either way, lifting a truck at all will screw around with the steering wheel some. Do an alignment and don't sweat it.

All of the info above is helpfull on how the truck will handle differently.

 

[hodag]

Thanks fellas, I will be attacking the problem this weekend. I just want to get it as straight as it can be before I put on the 33s (the reason for the lift).

Thanks again, Hodag

 

[High Desert]

So to adjust the drag link does the rig need to be on Jacks?

Fooling around with the drag link has no effect on alignment?

Thanks
HD

 

[VETTE60]

no, it does not have to be on jacks because it will turn the steering wheel. no it does not affect the alignment. yes you should put caster shims to re-adjust the angles. this will help with tracking

 

[High Desert]

Thank you brother mudders, My steering wheel is nice and straight now. After the lift it was WAY off, made me crazy to look down at the wheel while driving down the road..kinda gave me viertigo

Did the drag link adjustment..

Much thanks
JON