steering feels like it pulls at higher speeds

bm2004x

Test Drive
Location
United States
Just had some work done and noticed it pulls on the thruway especially after bumps or potholes.

Ball Joints - upper and lower
Ball joint spacer
tie rods- inner and outer
Bearings done last year
Upper A-arms from AC- lifted
CV's are good
GRASSroots CL - new bearings
AC steering brace with new bandit bushings


Stabilizer/ Damper is 6 yrs old.

I read a bunch on Alignments and have no idea what they did but the tires look more straight and perfect than ever.

I did lift the truck to match the rear lift so its probably at full 3" lift in the front. Had a shop do the ball joints, tie rods and align. what should i ask them or have them look at since i think it drove better before with 160,000 mile original ball joints? I know the answer....... "its lifted higher so it drives worse". Looking for some advice.


Also, I asked when i picked it up but the lower ball joint upper nut (the big one) seemed to be tightened all the way but had about 1/8" under the bottom of the nut between it and the lower control arm. I could see the splines in the press in ball joint. I remember the old ones almost touched or did touch? Should that gap be there? I thought that nut pulled the ball joint into place?

Thanks everyone.
 

granitex

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
Columbus OH
Make sure that your hubs are not locked, or one of them is locked, if that is the case it can cause drag on the driveline
 

bm2004x

Test Drive
Location
United States
Alright. found the issue but....
First the hubs are not locked. Check
Second, stabilizer is 100% fine. Check
Upper A-arms bushings, perfect. Check
Center link, perfect. Check
Tie rods, all new. check
Alignment spec:
Camber L= .7 R= .6
Caster L= -1.1 R= -.8
Toe L = .14 R = .15
If anyone has anything to say about that, Id like to know if they could have been better but they seemed better than previous alignment specs ive seen.
replacement Upper Ball joints from AC/4x4parts.com......... shot!

If i could figure out how to add a video....i would show you guys, by turning the wheel left to right about 10 degrees, the joint is hopping up and down. The bolts are tight and the upper bolts through the A-arm and spacer are tight. The joint spreads at the rubber about 5/8" to 3/4". Brand new ball joints are shot!!!!! really AC?! The first pair lasted 60,000 miles before i thought they may need to be swapped. The oem's lasted 100,000 miles. These lasted 4 weeks? I'm pissed.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
That's insane. First and foremost, they need to be sending you new ones. And I'd demand more than just the ball joints. Secondly, I would accept the new ones and then promptly throw them in the trash and buy OEM if you can get it. 2nd choice would me Moog.

They are 87-93 Hardbody ball joints.
 

bm2004x

Test Drive
Location
United States
Response from AC:

The ball joints come with spring in the ball joint area which does allow for
movement up and down. It is highly unlikely that these ball joints are
defective from factory. The ball joints do come with 1 year warranty.
If they are found to have excess play they can be sent back for replacement.

I have never seen ball joints move like that. The mechanic that had done all my work had said that he would fail the inspection if he saw that movement. I have had their ball joints and A-arms for years installed and all i did was replace the OEM lowers with Moog greasable's and all the AC spacers (which they sent wrong the first time, 2" tall ones...?). Its not like i was stock and now lifted, I just added 1.5" of lift. Its literally just pulling out worn parts and putting new ones in.

Are Hardbody ball joints supposed to move up and down?
 
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