front end problems

[bigT5]

so i put some different tires and rims on my truck the rims are custom and the tires are 31/10.50/15 they were great for a while but now my truck is pulling to the left a little. and i just happen to of had a coupon for a free alignment check. so i had it checked they told me a needed a new stabilizer they said its a rollover hazard (im assuming the steering stabilizer but im not sure) they said i need new tie rod ends and new ball joints on one side ( i was in a accident few months ago and the driver side ball joints had to be replaced) there might be a slight wobble on the passenger side but nothing serious. i was wondering if just replacing the stabilizer might fix it?? or what else might be the problem i would just assume replacing that stuff as i got the money but my dad doesnt think i should it doesnt seem to be eating my tires but it pulling to the left and that little wobble is really really bugging me what do you guys think?
P.S i dont know much about front ends

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by bigT5

so i put some different tires and rims on my truck the rims are custom and the tires are 31/10.50/15 they were great for a while but now my truck is pulling to the left a little. and i just happen to of had a coupon for a free alignment check. so i had it checked they told me a needed a new stabilizer they said its a rollover hazard (im assuming the steering stabilizer but im not sure) they said i need new tie rod ends and new ball joints on one side ( i was in a accident few months ago and the driver side ball joints had to be replaced) there might be a slight wobble on the passenger side but nothing serious. i was wondering if just replacing the stabilizer might fix it?? or what else might be the problem i would just assume replacing that stuff as i got the money but my dad doesnt think i should it doesnt seem to be eating my tires but it pulling to the left and that little wobble is really really bugging me what do you guys think?
P.S i dont know much about front ends

with the vehicle pulling to the left I would guess this is the driverside lower ball joint..when this part goes the wheel on the side with the bad lower ball joint causes the pull that side....


tie rods are easy to check lift one side off ground and work the wheels to see if the joints are loose..inner tie rods are most likely bad.

I had to replace mine.

after the front end is repaired then get the alignment.

ITS NO BIG DEAL IF THE TIRE WEARS POORLY////WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THE FRONT END DON'T FALL TO THE PAVEMENT WHEN YOUR GOING 70 MPH...............

[bigT5]

ok i checked the tie rod ends and there isnt much play in them really at all i dont think they are new the driver side might be but i dont think so. also what does the stabilizer do really they told me its a rollover hazard but they didnt say what it does really i know its pretty bad shot but is it worth it to fix it?? last i dont know if the driver side both ball joints were replaced or just one if i jack it up and grab the tire i cant wiggle it in and out but the passenger side one i can. also what about wheel bearings when i spin the tire on both passenger and driver side it makes almost like the sound when you grind something on a bench grinder just not near as loud or as rough

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by bigT5

ok i checked the tie rod ends and there isnt much play in them really at all i dont think they are new the driver side might be but i dont think so. also what does the stabilizer do really they told me its a rollover hazard but they didnt say what it does really i know its pretty bad shot but is it worth it to fix it?? last i dont know if the driver side both ball joints were replaced or just one if i jack it up and grab the tire i cant wiggle it in and out but the passenger side one i can. also what about wheel bearings when i spin the tire on both passenger and driver side it makes almost like the sound when you grind something on a bench grinder just not near as loud or as rough

the tie rods must not have any play. grease tie rods see if the grease coming out is rusted..

the ball joints you jack wheel off the groundthen put a pry bar under the tire to see if the ball joint moves...


checking the wheel bearings you push back the calipers slightly so there is not brake pad drag then rotate to feel for any ruffness or possible some noise.


the stabilizer bar has rubber parts that need replacing. this includes the bolts and bushings at the control arm connection...

the stabilizer bar normally does not break....though over the years I have had to replace one because it snapped at the bushinng body mount area...........

[bigT5]

ok will do however i might not be able to till this weekend but ill keep you updated

[bigT5]

hey sorry i havent gotten to post in a while this is what i found
1. i tried switching the 2 front tires and it didnt change anything
2. i greased the passenger upper ball joint and now there is no play in it i dont know why
3. tie rod ends dont seem to have any play in them
4. tire pressures are all the same
5. i need to replace the suspension stabilizer bar
6.the steering wheel almost kind of vibrates when going down the road
7.when i brake the brakes feel like the pulsate sort of and are spongy but it doesnt seem to pull worse when i brake and im pretty sure its because the reservoir leaks
i have not tried greasing the tie rods yet probably will tomorrow
any suggestions??

[broughy84]

Originally Posted by bigT5

hey sorry i havent gotten to post in a while this is what i found
1. i tried switching the 2 front tires and it didnt change anything
2. i greased the passenger upper ball joint and now there is no play in it i dont know why
3. tie rod ends dont seem to have any play in them
4. tire pressures are all the same
5. i need to replace the suspension stabilizer bar
6.the steering wheel almost kind of vibrates when going down the road
7.when i brake the brakes feel like the pulsate sort of and are spongy but it doesnt seem to pull worse when i brake and im pretty sure its because the reservoir leaks
i have not tried greasing the tie rods yet probably will tomorrow
any suggestions??

1. Have the tires balanced.
2. Grease all fittings, if there is substantial play they are shot, just replace them.
3. Replace the stabilizer bar.
4 If the brakes pulsate, there is likely a warped rotor on the front. Have them turned down.
5. REPLACE YOUR MASTER CYLINDER IF IT LEAKS.
6. UNTIL YOU DO DON'T DRIVE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD!
7. Please, for the love of God and all other things holy, use proper punctuation and if you can't do that at least capitalized things that need capitalization.

[bigT5]

Would the stabilizer bar make it pull like that? it is very shot and was going to replace it anyway but also could it be that my truck just needs to be alligned

[broughy84]

It is a front end component. Any major wear is going to cause your truck to not drive correctly. I seriously doubt that any reputable shop will waste their time aligning your truck with worn out parts still on it. Most will send you down the road or repair them for you.

[bigT5]

right, but im just saying that if all that stuff was new and not worn out could it just be alignement

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by bigT5

right, but im just saying that if all that stuff was new and not worn out could it just be alignement

most times the alignment being incorrect with your issue would be a worn part. once the alignment is done its done..

Items that affect alignment are worn parts/joints. changing vehicle height which throws off the camber/caster..

smashing into curbs etc with the front wheels which will bend components. springs getting weak which causes the vehicle height to drop. last time I aligned my 2000 silverado was in 2000.....

[spunbearings]

maybe a belt tore?

[bigT5]

well that makes sense because I just put some new tires on that made my truck just barely a little bit higher and that was right around the time it started doing this. would that be enough to throw it off??

[broughy84]

Refer to post #11.

[bigT5]

ok well i have finally decided im just going to have to replace the tie rod ends and ball joints to fix this problem thanks