Looking for some advice on my 05 Ranger. Had an alignment done today and Firestone says the front is tracking straight, but my Thrust Angle is way off at -.75 degree. From everything I've read, that is significant. The truck pulls to the right pretty good. Sounds like maybe the truck was in an accident before I got it? Only had the truck a few months. I've read that maybe loosening the U-bolts on the center leaf spring brackets and then retightening could help? How do I troubleshoot this problem? I measured the distance between the bottom of both shocks and the ground and they are exactly the same height so the suspension isn't leaning one way or another. I've checked both leaf springs for cracks and they look in good condition. I checked the leaf spring hanger brackets and they are in good condition. They are original but not rusted out. All bushings are in decent condition. Basically, I've ruled out anything to do with the leaf springs. Both rear shocks are brand new too. The only think I can think is that the vehicle was hit in the rear before I got it. Any help I can get is greatly appreciated. I'm a DIY kind of guy and would love to fix this myself (if it's fixable). I'm certainly not a mechanic but I can do most mechanic work and have a workshop of tools.

 

Of course they are the same, the only thing that could make that measurement different would be tire inflation or different size tires on each side.

 

2011Supercab, So a bent axel wouldn't change the distance from the ground from each shock if it was bent up or down? Or if a shock has failed, causing more weight loaded on one side of the vehicle? I think there are other factors you haven't considered.