96 Tahoe LT drifting right

TheGreenTahoe · 2024-12-23T14:51:48-0500

Had a mechanic friend put in new shocks, UCA, sway bar bushings and link kit, motor mounts, lower ball joints. Did not replace lower control arms. He told me it drifts right, so get it aligned. I've had it aligned twice now and it still drifts right. Alignment Technician said its because it won't hold the alignment due to the fact that the LCA bushings weren't replaced. My mechanic says that's BS, but he'll replace them if I want. Thoughts?

strutaeng · 2024-12-23T15:10:02-0500

What do the LCA bushings look like? Crawl under there a do a quick visual.

Sounds plausible that if they are indeed badly worn, alignment won't hold.

Also, did the alignment shop give you the specs for caster, camber, toe-in, etc?

What is the history with the truck? Original owner? Just bought it? Did it ever drive straight? Has it ever been in a collision?

TheGreenTahoe · 2024-12-23T18:31:20-0500

strutaeng said:
What do the LCA bushings look like? Crawl under there a do a quick visual.

Sounds plausible that if they are indeed badly worn, alignment won't hold.

Also, did the alignment shop give you the specs for caster, camber, toe-in, etc?

What is the history with the truck? Original owner? Just bought it? Did it ever drive straight? Has it ever been in a collision?

My father in law bought the Tahoe new and I bought it from him in 2005. It's never been in a wreck. I do need a copy of the specs. I was told if the alignment tech didn't adjust for the slope of the road, the car will go right

GMCChevy · 2024-12-23T19:53:39-0500

Yes the crown of the road can make a difference. I had a problem once with a car doing that and my own mechanic who also did alignments adjusted for that and problem solved.
Some alignment techs only know how to do what the screen tells them. But there are some who also know their job and over time get used to what common issues are on different vehicles to cause the problems owners complain about.

Joseph Garcia · 2024-12-24T10:58:04-0500

^^^^^x2^^^^^ Even with all of the new alignment equipment in today's shops, a great alignment is STILL an art, rather than a pure science. Take the truck to a locally recognized shop that specializes in suspensions and/or front ends, and let an experienced mechanic work of the correct alignment. You'll be amazed at the difference in results.

Eman85 · 2024-12-24T11:08:25-0500

He said, she said so all we can do is make some suggestions with not seeing or checking the vehicle. 29yo vehicle everything has wear. Most alignment shops will adjust right caster slightly higher to allow for the crown in the road. These trucks need to have the chassis mount for the upper control arm opened up to make any major adjustment. It takes a special tool to knock them out easily, some don't want to knock them out if they can get the alignment close.

96 Tahoe LT drifting right

TheGreenTahoe

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strutaeng

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TheGreenTahoe

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GMCChevy

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Joseph Garcia

Eman85

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