Dog tracking?

Disturban · April 07, 2009, 02:56:28 PM

Well I am stumped! I was following my wife (She was driving my Suburban) and I noticed it was dog tracking every once in a while. The Frame is straight and it has never been in an accident. So I climb under it and start looking. The springs look good, no broken leafs or missing clamps, the perches look good, the u-bolts are all tight. So I measure front tire to back tire on each side 125" on both sides. WTF? What else could cause this that I am not seeing? I also looked at the front springs, U-bolts, clamps ect ect. It will track perfect for a while and then the back will walk over a little towards the passenger side between 6" to 8" and then return to tracking normal. Is there bushings in the eye's of the leaf springs that could be bad? Any other ideas? This is buggin the F**K out of me

Disturban · April 07, 2009, 04:43:22 PM

I am going to take it to a shop tomorrow and have them drop the axle and look at those pins as well as everything else.

How hard is it to replace those pins?

Disturban · April 07, 2009, 04:47:11 PM

Alright thanks...I have a feeling that is what is wrong with mine too. Did his dog track at all with the broken pin?

Disturban · April 07, 2009, 04:57:31 PM

Are these pins or are they called leaf spring center bolts?

7387chevynut · April 07, 2009, 05:47:28 PM

Keep in mind though that it is common for 4x4's to (wander) going down the road.

You also have to remember that steering is alittle more loose on older chevy straight axle trucks, and that your steering box is 21 years old.

Disturban · April 07, 2009, 06:00:14 PM

Quote from: 7387chevynut on April 07, 2009, 05:47:28 PM
Keep in mind though that it is common for 4x4's to (wander) going down the road.

You also have to remember that steering is alittle more loose on older chevy straight axle trucks, and that your steering box is 21 years old.

I realize all that but this is dog tracking no ifs ands or buts about it. When I was behind it the back tire was lined up perfect with the front tire and I could watch it walk over and see it not lined up. Wandering is one thing but dog tracking is another.

Disturban · April 07, 2009, 06:27:53 PM

Yep I am not going to mess around trying to figure it out. I am going to take it to Grapewood Frame and Alignment shop in Grand Rapids. They have a real good reputation and they told me free inspection and if it is broken spring pin they will replace both with new U-bolts and hardware for $125. They have all the laser alignment crap and can tell me exactly why its dog tracking if it's not the spring pin.

Disturban · April 09, 2009, 11:06:23 PM

Found out the problem was my front end. The drag links was so bad it was allowing the front end to drift back and forth giving it the appearance from behind that the rear was dog tracking every now and then.

Got a whole new drag link assembly and not only is my steering a lot tighter but the back is tracking like it should

Love my Chevy's but this thing is a money pit!!! Hopefully I am done working on it now. Oooop's wait I got to do front wheel U-joints yet

TBigLug · April 09, 2009, 11:40:26 PM

They're all money pits! Glad you found your problem though.

RIP_K52007 · April 10, 2009, 04:33:29 AM

just put a drag link in my dodge too.. glad u found the problem.. i was gnna say.. put a level on your forehead, and look agian. lol

Dog tracking?

RIP_K52007