I lifted and put the truck onto jack stands...planning on putting some new tires on and want to ensure the suspension is all tight and ready for alignment. ( It has been pulling to the drivers side pretty good and wearing the inside of the tires). Everything tested nice and tight. I have also been feeling the bumps big time. ( I know the worn out 18" tires will be contributing to this) I have had Big O and Discount do alignments in the past and have not been able to correct this "pull"...alignment aways within specks.

The one thing I noticed yesterday was a difference in the spring height as they sit compressed. Would like to assume this means they are pretty shot and due for new ones? Passenger side is just shy of 8 inches....Drivers side was close to about 8.5 inches. Is this a fair assumption? See Pics.

Was going to also replace the sway bar links as they are looking a little below par.
It is also reflected in the measurement from the ground to bottom of wheel arch.
132,000 miles...

 

yeah prolly worn, but shocks worn is a bigger contributor to hard bump crossings. drivers side is supposed to be taller, so no surprise there.


on pull. suspects that contribute= tie rod ends or the overly confusing lr lingo "ball joints on the track and drag" real ball joints, bad hubs, bad tires.
does tire rotation change the issue?

 

The measurement you want is from the center of the wheel to the bottom of the wheel arch. This will let you know, independent of tire size, how much your suspension is sagging.

Are those original springs? how old are the shocks?

Before you spend any money on alignment or other suspension issues, you should get the basics sorted out, new shocks and new springs preferably at the same time.

New springs will be marked so you put the taller one one the drivers side.

 

Good to know Dave. Kinda went inexpensive when I did the shocks.
I replaced shocks a couple years ago with some Monroe sensatracs. Springs I assume original. I bought the truck at 60,000. Yesterday I did remove the top shock bolt and test the shock to make sure they weren't complete duds. Pressed in and they returned.
Dusty,
Upper and lower ball joints replaced about a year ago.
Zero play in the wheel when pushing and pulling at 3 and 9. And 6 and 12
Tie rod ends had no visible play in them... And wiggle one tire... The other moves in same manner.
Tire rotation has no bearing on the pull into oncoming traffic. Bad enough that in about 5 seconds I could be in the lane left of me.

 

I meant if you have a jacked up tire (excessive uneven wear) or a bent rim it would have been noticeable if it was swapped.

 

I have found that putting any shocks on warn sagging springs will shorten the life of the shocks. I had a set of Bilsteins go bad in six months this way, they still spring back but the ride was not at all like when they were new.

I put new springs on and the Bilsteins felt even worse!

So new springs with old shocks is not a good idea either as the existing shocks were compressing about 2" higher than they used to. Felt every pebble on the road and potholes were still jarring.

The only way to go is new springs, new shocks, same time.

There is a spec in the RAVE regarding the stock distance between center of wheel and bottom of wheel arch, maybe someone can remember that.

 

I've had that before. Rotating tires would move the pull.

 

The problem with owning a used D2 or even one from new is acquiring a used one you haven't got any datum to compare the ride with and even owning one from new, like mine, the deterioration is so gradual you forget how the truck drove new. I am in the process of updating the rear air springs, shock absorbers all round and new front road springs. Another issue that deteriorates and makes for a 'harsh' drive is the engine and autobox mountings which I have yet to fit. I think also the Watts and Panhard struts will need re-bushing to complete the job with suspension and steering.

Problem, far too many projects on the go and not enough time..............and I'm retired,................still in the process of renovating the house and that's serious stress from the 'boss' indoors if I'm caught 'playing' with the LR and not doing 'proper' jobs on the house.................can't win.

 

meh,just lean a 4x8 sheet of plywood across the side and no one is the wiser.