Front end issue 2002 2WD

[Denbob4369]

Hi all, newbie here, bought a 2002 Avalanche 1500 2WD with 192k miles. I had "sharp turn" issues like when backing out of a parking spot with it dragging seemingly mostly passenger side. My first thought was the previous owner had wide tires and wheels on it as he traveled back and forth from Florida to Michigan and wanted a smooth ride. As I am just using it for a farm truck, I found someone to swap my tires and wheels with to get "standard" tires on it hoping to fix it. NOPE! Took it to my mechanic, he said all 4 ball joints needed replacing, did that, then took it for alignment, and they said before they could align it it needed new front bearings, so I ordered them and put them in myself. Took it back and they aligned it, still same, when I back out and turn the wheel sharp, the right front wheel seems to tow out pretty bad, even pulling into my carport, (I circle around a tree to pull straight through) it is eating the grass up as it leans out. On the highway, going straight, you couldn't ask for a straighter smoother ride! I've had it to two other alignment shops, both said they see the issue, but alignment is perfect! One guessed that perhaps the mechanic that put the ball joints in may have put wrong uppers as he thought the uppers were left and right, but when he ordered new ones, they were exactly the same. He says he called the local Chevy dealer and spoke with their front end man of 23 years, and he said he had that issue once, but just parts replaced until it stopped, and didn't know which one fixed it!! Anyone else had this issue? HELP!

 

[ygmn]

Have A-arm bushings and ball joints checked.

maybe another shop too as if they changed balljoints and found they were bad why did they not find the front hubs (BEARINGS) were bad?

 

[CarMech1969]

Could be a caster angle issue on the affected (passenger) side.
If the vehicle was in an accident, and caused the upper ball joint to get pushed back, it will make the caster angle too positive (will not affect straight-ahead driving), which, when making sharp turns, the tire on the side with excessive positive caster will 'jack' noticeably, or appear to be leaning out as you have described. Just a guess based on what you describe. Might want to check for bent parts, and evidence of collision repair. Hopefully this helps you out

 

[Denbob4369]

Could be a caster angle issue on the affected (passenger) side.
If the vehicle was in an accident, and caused the upper ball joint to get pushed back, it will make the caster angle too positive (will not affect straight-ahead driving), which, when making sharp turns, the tire on the side with excessive positive caster will 'jack' noticeably, or appear to be leaning out as you have described. Just a guess based on what you describe. Might want to check for bent parts, and evidence of collision repair. Hopefully this helps you out

Thank you! Will check that, 2 different alignment shops I would "think" would find that, but good suggestion.

 

[2SmokinBarrels]

I have that exact same issue with my '04 Av,4x4. Its like parkin a fire truck at walmart. I am taking her for a wheel alignment tomorrow. They have a state of the art set up apparently. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. I think CarMech is right.
First- There is too much negative camber, the tires sit like /=\.
2nd- It did hit a deer or something 4 or 5 yrs ago so castor angle could be out.
3rd- She's got a bunch of shiny new parts underside from the last guy trying to figure it out ;~
So hopefully they figure it out with this fancy machine and the mechanic is a certified redseal

 

[2SmokinBarrels]

Well everything is aligned very nicely now. The drivers side seemed the problem needing adjustment for camber, less toe in, and steer wheel is level. the turning is better but still a bit of drag turning. The ball joints are new but not the bushings and he suspects that may be the cause. But that will have to be on the bucket list

 

[Denbob4369]

Could be a caster angle issue on the affected (passenger) side.
If the vehicle was in an accident, and caused the upper ball joint to get pushed back, it will make the caster angle too positive (will not affect straight-ahead driving), which, when making sharp turns, the tire on the side with excessive positive caster will 'jack' noticeably, or appear to be leaning out as you have described. Just a guess based on what you describe. Might want to check for bent parts, and evidence of collision repair. Hopefully this helps you out

Thank you, will have that checked