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Do I need a front end alignment?

Old Mar 2, 2010 | 08:00 PM
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Default Do I need a front end alignment?

I have an 85 K5 blazer that I just took the 6" suspension leaf springs and shocks from my 88 K5 and put on the 85. Do I need a front end alignment after putting a lift and bigger tires on it? It feels sloppy and doesn't turn too well to the right. Thanks
 
Old Mar 2, 2010 | 08:08 PM
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it may help, but if something feels sloppy then their is something loose (tie rod, pitman arm or idler arm) also idk if your truck has a steering stabilizer, but if it does then it wouldn't hurt to replace that, their fairly cheap.
 
Old Mar 2, 2010 | 11:22 PM
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It steered fine before I put the lift and tires on it. All I changed were the leaf springs and shocks. What could have caused it to be sloppy? Its like I have to turn the steering wheel more times over to get it to turn the wheels sharper. Before the lift, the steering wheel was straight with the wheels, now it is 90 degrees off. Thanks
 
Old Mar 2, 2010 | 11:47 PM
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maybe the leafs got shifted somehow. An alignment should be able to determine whats wrong
 
Old Mar 3, 2010 | 07:08 AM
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The lift will change the angles in the steering. It won't change the toe-in, but it will change the orientation of the steering wheel. Did you get a drop pitman arm for the steering in the front? If not, things will be all messed up in terms of steering geometry. The angles in the drag link go out of whack and can cause it to seem very sloppy.

With a 6" lift, you really should consider doing the cross-over steering mod. This will remove all of the inherent problems with the factory drag link setup. If you have the coin, it is definitely worth it.
 
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