Truck pulling to the right slightly, what can i do to fix?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by TowHaul, Jan 10, 2022.

  1. Another Canadian driver

    Another Canadian driver Road Train Member

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    Scotia Tire & Alignment, Mississauga, ON.
    If you ever go there. Professional crew.
    Forget about TA. I used that place for 20 years.
    What area are you servicing? NE?
     
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  3. TowHaul

    TowHaul Medium Load Member

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    Ok I went to a PROFESSIONAL alignment shop and finally have some real results. They told me to replace the "spring bushings on drive axle". Not sure what is involved with that or how difficult of a job that is. They wanted $1,200 at the aligment shop to replace and I told them I will either try to do it myself or find a shop to do it cheaper.
     
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  4. Hulld

    Hulld Road Train Member

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    So it is just like I suspected the spring bushings got worn causing the drive axel to tip back on the driver side which also causes the inner tire wear on the driver side.
    Do you have a small independent shop near where you live?
    They are not that difficult to do.
     
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  5. TowHaul

    TowHaul Medium Load Member

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    yes is this the type of problem where i would want to fix both? I thought 1200 for the repair by the aligment shop was crazy... compared to me hitting a truck shop. Do i need to repair both sides or just the one? (they said one looked worse than the other) but they also said they would not do the aligment until the bushing(s?) were repaired.
     
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  6. TowHaul

    TowHaul Medium Load Member

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    last question, other than the bushings, what parts to i absolutely NEED and what parts can i just use my old parts for? For example the U Bolts, the nuts, and the washers. Those can add up to well over $100. Which of those three MUST i buy and which ones can i get away with not buying?
     
  7. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    Just sell the darn truck if you are that worried about spending money. You are wasting more time than anything here and time is money. Not to mention tire wear. Had you just taken it to a good ship to begin with and had them do the work it would be over and done. Or inspected the bushings yourself before taking it anywhere.
    You are stepping over dollars to save dimes.
     
  8. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    Yep!

    A good shop won't reuse u-bolts, nuts, or washers. All those parts are cheap, tires not so much.
     
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  9. Hulld

    Hulld Road Train Member

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    You definitely should replace both sides.
    It is also accurate to say it can’t be reliably aligned with out replacing the bushings.
    Can you find a smaller independent truck shop who can do the bushing?
    I’m thinking the price may be more affordable with a smaller shop.
     
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  10. Hulld

    Hulld Road Train Member

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    Not sure what make or model truck you have but when I have done them I don’t remove the ubolts or springs from the truck?
    I Just jack up the frame pull the pins and drop the spring bushing out of the saddle replace the bushing and bolt it back together.
    The hardest part is pressing the bushings in and out.
     
  11. TowHaul

    TowHaul Medium Load Member

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    i have a fl112 freightliner. Apparently all the shops I have called said they need to remove the leaf spring to press the bushings out. I guess that is where all the labor comes in. I plan to do both sides of the rear. Thank you for your helpful replies. i assume I need to buy the ubolts if they do this? I'm not sure besides buying new bushings which parts are critical to replace. I wonder if the nuts and washers can be re-used? (they are almost $100 oem new)
     
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