Back on the road

[Kittamaru]

Well, I got my baby back from the shop today:

 

4 Wheel Alignment + Rotation

Brake Check + Service

4x Shocks (mid grade)

Rear Sway Bar End Links

6x Shims (front end camber. toe in, and alignment process had to be done from scratch cause the last shop fskced it up so bad... they showed me the old parts... yowza!)

7 hours labor + random bolts and nuts (lots of rusted bolts they had issues with)

 

Total was 750 bucks... not bad all said and done. They only charged me for two hours labor, and didn't charge at all for the brake check and service. They also tightened up my accelerator (not sure what they did, but it's firmer and doesn't have the inch of give with no response it used to)

 

The good news: she's driving GREAT, handles far far better

 

The bad news:

 

Radial Belt issues on my BFG A/T's - perfect alignment, but truck still pulls to the right

Rear Axle Issues - even with the sway bar, end links, new shocks, and everything else working perfectly, I still have a rear end shimmy- the mechanic thinks it's something with the axle assembly or mount itself.

 

At least now the shocks work and dampen the swaying so it doesn't simply oscillate out of control like it used to 0o'

 

My question is - where do I go from here to diagnose/fix the death wobble? I mean.. it isn't so deadly anymore, but it's still there... and I knwo that has to put undue strain on the shocks...

 

Also, how do you fix a radial belt problem? Can you just replace a single tire if you can locate the bad one? How would you tell?

[adamzan]

You sure it isn't tire balance in the rear? Also check your rear link bushings. I installed new ones in mine and man did it tighten up the rear.

 

If something is wrong with the tire I believe you have to replace tires in pairs.

Edited October 17, 2009 by adamzan

[Kittamaru]

Rear link bushings as in? Not too sure what part you're referring to

 

Tires were balanced as part of rotation and alignment (one of the reasons I like that shop so much) and an off balance tire wouldn't make it pull, would it?

[Kittamaru]

Well, after driving her to and from work tonight, I have to say I'm very happy with how she's handling.

 

Steering is crisper and more responsive

Brakes are more responsive and react faster (and my rear anti-locks are working again, woohoo!)

 

Only strange thing is I keep thinking I'm hearing a new "ticking" noise... but it's also raining so I think my imagination is just mucking with me XD

 

Now I just need to get my damned fog lights working again... I think it'st he relay, so i'll start there

[nige]

rear link bushings as in the bushings that are in the rear suspension links.

 

4-wheel alignment? we don't have independent rear suspension on these trucks.

[Kittamaru]

Good point - my bad on the lingo. It was just the front end alignment, but they did the rotation (kinda linked the two, doh, silly me)