Hey folks I have rendered myself here again seeking help as I have found new issues needing resolved quickly! I have been using the search feature and I am not able to find exactly what answers or situations I am looking for.
So my latest issue: I have front end sway, bounce, and even bottoming out issues in my front end! While driving if I hit certain bumps a certain way the front end bottoms out, if I hit certain bridge jumps (from asphalt to concrete) then the entire front end sways from side to side, and on potholes while hit head on ( not intentionally but some can't be avoided without risking life) the front end will bounce up and down,and continue to bounce sometimes for several hundred feet, like modern vehicles do when their struts are worn!

I have spent about 2 hours today under the front end of the truck, and everything is new from previous owner of the truck with receipts to match parts installed. The only receipts not included in the receipt packet are receipts for shocks, and springs, while the previous owner did replace everything from uppers to lowers, and inners and outers. I beam bushings, list goes on I don't see any sign that the shocks or the springs were ever replaced!
I am only guessing and assuming that previous owner didn't replace the shocks or springs and again guessing that possibly the front springs have possibly collapsed, and maybe even front shocks maybe even ruptured, I don't see any obvious explanations for my front end issues!

So if you have a possible explanation for my issues I am looking forward to possibilities of what it might be! After hours of research under the front end I found nothing with bents, dents, cuts, cracks, welds or holes, other then those put their by the manufacturer! Help if you can!

also all steering componets have also been replaced, everything from power steering pump to steering box box to tie-rod ends!

 

IMHO, find a reliable shop and get that truck to a front-end specialist. From what you describe, it seems you do have an issue with shocks and possibly an alignment problem as well. While having all of that attended to, it is probably a good idea to get the tires balanced and rotated.
It is a major safety issue.

 

The best parts, not installed correctly, can and will cause problems.

I would get the vehicle to a KNOWN GOOD front end alignment shop, and have them inspect that front end. I would also look at getting new shocks and possibly springs on it, especially if the vehicle has high mileage.

Just doing an alignment at this time would not be recomended; there is something seriously wrong in the suspension and/or steering system, and that needs to be fixed BEFORE any alignment is done. I would definitely make sure that all bolt torques, ESPECIALLLY the axle pivot bushings, are correct, and that ALL of the new parts were installed correctly.

Steering, suspension, and braking systems are three areas on a vehicle that incorrect installation of poor quality parts can be FATAL.

 

Thanks for the help and assistance guys.. while I don't believe a front end alignment will be of any assistance since the truck does drive a perfect straight at 70 while letting go of the wheel. And all 4 tires are new with only 3500 miles on the since installed, mounted, and balanced. I do still believe theirs got to be more wrong then what I am seeing, theirs no doubt about that! I have yet again spent another hour under the front end of the truck looking for a problem I still don't see an obvious solution to the problem? I do plan to get to a front end shop, but not before I exhaust every single possible ave. as not to go to the front end shop looking stupid and let then guys try to run over me or abuse since I don't know what is actually going on!

I do plan to go ahead and order front springs and shocks get them installed and go from their. Their isn't an obvious problem unless the springs have collapsed as suggested. Assuming the springs have collapsed then replacement will cure my problem. after replacement of the springs and shocks if the problems persist then I will have no choice but to make my way into a front end shop for further evaluations, and assessment. Unless someone here is able to diagnose my problem and or offer a positive suggestion to cure my problems! Thanks again!

 

I should of used a better phrase rather then sway, I just didn't think of a better word to explain the motion of the front end of the truck swerving from side to side after hitting a bump.... again I don't have a Front end issue, the truck drives a perfect straight line after releasing the wheel at any speed wether 20 or 75 mph it will drive a straight line regardless.. The "SWERVING" issues only happen after hitting a bump or a crack in the road!! Regardless the truck shouldn't swerve or jump from side to side after hitting any imperfection in the road!

 

Going to a reliable shop with a genuine question will not make you look stupid. Replacing both shocks & springs without a mechanic providing an opinion of the issue is probably not your best idea. The suggestion of having the alignment checked was valid, but not made to suggest that it alone was a solution. At this point, you have suspicions regarding what might be wrong, but admit you're not quite sure. A professional mechanic will not BS you or ridicule you for not knowing everything.

 

i would invest in a good pair of shocks (bielstien) etc and not a pair of cheap ones if its bottoming out going over bumps or cracks. my best guess is shocks since it seems everything else has been replaced except the springs

 

Bad front shocks will give you an orbital rotation to the bounce when they are bad. It's probably why the previous owner replaced so many parts.

 

I'd say shocks. And tire pressure even maybe. maybe even too long of a shock that is bottoming out when you hit bumps. Just my two cents

 

I'd say shocks too, and in the time you've read this thread you could have pulled one off and pushed it together to see how bad it is. If the shocks aren't bad, which I think they will be, shocks are almost the first thing to wear\fail in a suspension set up, and everything else has been replaced, must be some reason behind that. That simple fact does kind of shake my confidence in the guy you bought it from and his work (if a guy can't spot a bad shock then how well can he change more in depth stuff?). SInce I'm very particular, even after you pull the shock off and see it's bad, jack the front of the truck up and check for wheel play (bearings, tie rods, ball joints, etc.), maybe even double check the torque on everything. A bolt that is over tightened can cause damage just like one that is loose.

 

Thank You very much guys for your input. I have placed the Front end, sway, bounce, orbital rotation problem on hold momentarily while I resolve my carburetor and running issues. The front end being repaired is about useless without the engine running!
I will get back to this project as soon as funds allow. This month will be the engine running again. I get her running again I will get her to a reputable shop and get the extreme front end inspection done. Not the $5.00 inspection but the $60.00 inspection done to find out exactly what is and what isn't wrong with my front end!
I truely believe in what everyone is saying, that my issues are possibly further detailed then just a pair of shocks. So I will let a professional handle this issue, well let a professional atleast diagnose my situation, then I will make all needed changes and adjustments myself since I am not one to be too trust worthy of others work they done. This being a good reason why I don't trust other peoples work!