As most y'all know I got a 2016 Sierra about a year ago. Was in need of new tires then I got an alignment. Truck feels a little more sure footed, like I can go a bit faster up the onramps and just better all around- I'm happy. So the question- do these Gen 5 trucks hold the alignment any better than previous generations? I remember the Gem 3's you could sneeze in the cab and the alignment would be thrown to hell, well- maybe not quite that much...……….

 

You must sneeze hard! I've jumped my GMT800 and with "lifetime alignments" at Firestone, taken it in and it was green across the board

sure does eat tie rods tho

 

stock 221,000 alignment on my 07 and the alignment checked green last weekend. do you go off-road often?

 

You're probably feeling the new rubber more than the alignment.
How are your streets/hwys... pothole hell, was the alignment that far out?

 

Still have the knock outs in at 276k on my 2006... tracks great! Just passed 100k in the wife’s Burb on bumpy *** Alaskan roads with no alignment and no wear.

 

Don't off road, a rough dirt road is as bad as it gets. Streets here are pretty good save or some exaggerated expansion areas. Actually thru the grapevine around here folks always said the alignment on the Gen 3 trucks would go out all too easily. Personally I didn't seem to have those issues, but never really checked alignment on my 2001 and when I got Firestones with lifetime alignment on my 2006 it held well. So the concerns were about really what everyone else was saying. As per the alignment the shop I took it to said that Castor was high drivers side and camber was negative passenger side. I think I got a pretty good idea differentiating the new rubber from the alignment as I drove around for 5 weeks with the new tires B4 getting alignment, and the better plant up the on ramp(kinda my test spot) was better after the alignment. So I guess I'm at peace as far as holding the alignment.
But say, what about the ball joins, do they last forever(does anything)? it there a point mileage wise I should knock those out and put lubable ones in...……..

 

A good alignment guy should have checked for play in the ball joints as they love up-selling parts & labor. The uppers need to be pressed out/in (haven't replaced mine) the lowers are a SOB to replace. They are riveted on, cutting, drilling, and air chiseling them out is a pain in the ***. Did mine for the 4/6 drop. If I were to do them on another GMT-800 I would buy new lower control arms with the new joints affixed.

 

Thanks, I watched'em- he checked for play. I just turned 60k so there's prolly some life left in the BJ's. Thanks for the heads up on what's all involved, on my last truck folks were telling me to jut go with new LCA's...…….

 

60K yeah they're probably like new. Just hit 140,000 day before yesterday which isn't to bad for a 20 year old truck. Replaced my lowers with NAPA's best (Moog) in 2005. You can see how they have to be moved from inside the pocket to a top of the LCA for the drop. Now replacement is so much easier with the bolts lol

 

The replacement procedures described above are for 2wd only.

4wd GMT800 lower BJs press in and out and have a snap ring to aid retention