Front alignment after brake job

[backroad101]

Got my alignment done 2 weekends ago. Then, this past weekend I did (myself) my front pads and rotors. Now my alignment seem off again. Thoughts? 99 4wd Ranger

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[hondaxr650]

It would be absolutely impossible to screw up a front end alignment with a simple brake job. Is it pulling to one side? It would be possible for a caliper to stick after you pushed the pistons back into it, causing the brakes to drag on one side. If it's pulling, I'd jack it up and make sure the wheels spin freely.

 

[backroad101]

So i checked things this weekend and did not see anything obvious.

So if a caliper is sticking, wouldnt the truck pull to the side of the stuck caliper? The truck is pulling to the left so should I assume the driver side is sticking? I ask as the passenger side wheel has more dust than the driver side but it is pulling to the left.

Also, is there a way to test the caliper to see if it is sticking and is there a way to fix a sticking caliper other than replacing it?

 

[Muscleford]

I would check the passenger side. That caliper may be stuck and not pressing the pad to the rotor. It will usually pull to the side where the brake is working.

 

[backroad101]

Also, I forgot to mention that it is pulling whether the brakes are being applied or not. It is at its worse on the highway

 

[Muscleford]

Now that informatin changes the whole situation.

Like hondaxr650 said I would verify that the wheel on both sides spin with similar effort.

 

[hondaxr650]

It's also possible for a tire to cause a pull to one side but not pull if the tire is on the other side of the vehicle. Is it possible you swapped the tires side to side when you had them off? Swapping the front tires would either verify that's the problem or rule it out.

 

[backroad101]

It's also possible for a tire to cause a pull to one side but not pull if the tire is on the other side of the vehicle. Is it possible you swapped the tires side to side when you had them off? Swapping the front tires would either verify that's the problem or rule it out.

Yup, did that when I got home tonight to see if the problem moves to the other side. Will see on the way to work tomorrow.

One thing I did notice is that on the drivers side the tire is closer to the uppper control arm than the passenger side and rub marks on the back sidewall of the tire originally on the driver's side (a reminder I am running Mustang wheels with 245/65/R17 tires, see my build thread link below). It is not touching but I can barely get my had through (where there is pleanty of room on the passenger side) I think maybe it's rubbing on the control arm and pulling?? Maybe my camber is off on the driver's side? I seem to have enough clearance on the passenger side.

 

[backroad101]

Found this searching the internet...

"On 1995 Ford Explorer (2WD & 4WD), the front suspension has limited caster adjustment but no camber adjustment. The solution? A new set of aftermarket cam bolts that replace the original equipment upper control arm bolts."

Any thought or insight?