truck veers to the right

[abe]

My 70 F350 veers to the right going down the road. Last year the front cab mounts were replaced. It drove straight then. But a few months later it started being to the right again. In had it inspected last week. I asked the boys at my local reliable garage to look for wear in the front suspension and steering linkage. The radius A-arms were replaced about two years ago.

The truck passed inspection and they said everything looks good as far as the steering would go. They recommended I take it to a front end alignment shop.

Two questions. What do you guys think? And I remember reading about a front end alignment on a truck like this is different, like one of the usual things can't be adjusted like toe in, camber or caster..... Will an alignment be worth it?

[mrtleavitt]

The alignment shop has to be able to "cold bend" the i-beams to do a proper alignment on our twin i-beam trucks . Your average tire shop cannot do that. I'd say start making phone calls to local alignment shops. Also, ask local mechanics that have been around for a while, they might be able to point you in the right direction. I looked for a while before I found someone that knew what I was talking about. I think it cost me $150 but I was glad to pay it. I bet most alignment shops won't even know what "cold bending" is, but they will probably assure you that they can align your truck anyways, don't believe them. Good luck!

[Mach428]

I'm assuming you have drum brakes. Have you checked to ensure the right brake is not improperly adjusted? I may be something simply such as this that I would try before progressing to front end adjustments

[1972hiboy]

Does it veer off to the right when you just let go of the steering wheel or when braking? things like brakes dragging or hub bearings should be inspected. any abnormal wear pattern on the front tires? tire pressures checked? does it veer the same all over town or one road in particular, more road crown...

[abe]

Does it veer off to the right when you just let go of the steering wheel or when braking? things like brakes dragging or hub bearings should be inspected. any abnormal wear pattern on the front tires? tire pressures checked? does it veer the same all over town or one road in particular, more road crown...

It veers to the right when I let go of the steering wheel. Yes there is slight wear on the outside of the right tire now and the inside of the left front tire. I had them switched just last week.. Tire pressure is good in both. It veers the same no matter what road or street I am on.

I will check to see if the brakes need adjusted on the right.

[CH3NO2]

Switch your front tires one side to the other and it starts to pull left then its just a bad tire. This is very common.

[abe]

Switch your front tires one side to the other and it starts to pull left then its just a bad tire. This is very common.

Thanks, but I already tried that.

[ultraranger]

I don't know how long you've had your truck but, if you have never gone through and rebuilt the front suspension --kingpins and bushings, new I-beam bushings, radius arm bushings, tie rods and draglink, wheel bearings and seals, it's probably due to be completely rebuilt.

The only time the I-beams would need to be bent at an alignment shop is if your camber angles are off --tires excessively leaning in at the top. However, this could also be caused by sagging coil springs that would allow the truck to drop down below its acceptable ride height.

Edit: I just noticed in your signature you bought this truck in September, 2012. It goes back to if you've never rebuilt the front end, and don't know if/when the previous owner/owners ever rebuilt it, it's probably a good idea to go through it.