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Cheeup
Dodge Dakota
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9/28/2004
09:20:23

Subject: Pulling to the right
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My 2000 QC Sport 4x4 has 72,000 miles on it. 2 1/2 months ago I put new BFG AT KO's, 31x10.5 on. I have not had them rebalanced since first getting them put on.
When I hold the wheel straight, the truck goes straight. If I let go of the steering wheel, it quickly slides to the right. Because of this I don't think I need a realignment.
My guesses are possibly a brake pad is rubbing, or the ball joint is going out.
Anyone have any possible solutions?



Or
Dodge Dakota
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9/28/2004
10:24:15

RE: Pulling to the right
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You need an alignment. Period.



FloriDak
Dodge Dakota
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9/28/2004
13:50:58

RE: Pulling to the right
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yea, I think an alignment would be the place to start...

I have a '97 extended cab and it needs an alignment about once per year. The front end is all tight and I do not drive it any different than any of my other vehicles and don't hit too many potholes... not sure why it's always out of alignment... must be a design "feature"

Even if it's something other than alignment, it's cheap insurance to make sure you don't grind up your new tires.



Noltz
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9/28/2004
22:12:39

RE: Pulling to the right
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Try rotating the tires left to right on the front of the truck. If the pull switches, you have a bad belt in the tire & it needs to be replaced. If it continues to pull right, get an alignment done [i]at a 4x4 shop[/i]. Regular car shops hate oversize tires & often won't guarantee their work. Ask for a printout of the specs.




Cheeup
Dodge Dakota
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9/28/2004
22:17:56

RE: Pulling to the right
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Noltz, thanks for the advice about the alignment. However, being that the BFG's are radial, I can't switch left to right, only front to back. If I'm wrong there, let me know, I've been under that assumption for 8 years since I bought my first set.



gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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9/28/2004
23:24:22

RE: Pulling to the right
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Only unidirectionals cannot be switched from one side to the other.



Right
Dodge Dakota
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9/29/2004
00:24:41

RE: Pulling to the right
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And as Noltz sez, get the specs, before and after.



Rod
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9/29/2004
06:30:39

RE: Pulling to the right
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I wouldn't reccomend rotating tires from one side of the vehicle to the other - except in a case like this when troubleshooting a problem. I used to build tires for Pirelli. The steel belts in a radial tire are at a 45 degree angle from the sidewall and each layer of belt criss-crosses the one underneath. After they have been on a vehicle for a while, the belts flex and wear into each other somewhat. I know not everyone will have this problem, but if the tire rotation is changed, the belts could start working the opposite direction, causing them to seperate. Sorry I couldn't explain this more engineer-like, but I have seen quite a few tires do this. I think the reason tire manufacturers and retailers reccomend rotating in a crossing pattern is so the treadwear is more even and you won't be coming back trying to get credit for the treadwear warranty.



cheeup
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9/29/2004
06:58:47

RE: Pulling to the right
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Hey thanks Rod... this is what I had heard a long time ago, and have never switched my BFG AT's from side to side.
I appreciate everyone's feedback..



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