Rear end shifts...
 

My rear end shifts from the drivers side when I get on a very bumpy road or when I hit a pot hole on the drvers side. it feels like it kicks out and then straightens up. May my tires have too much air. I just replaced the shocks with Monroe gas shocks....before that the shifting was a lot worse. It happens on the free way as well if I hit a part thats a little raised. Scary....what might it be......other than that it handes fine. I have a 68 stepside with a wood bed.

Since I'm not a big 67-72 truck guy I will assume coil spring rear as that is what mine is. Is there bushings in the forward end of the "trailing arm"? How about jacking the rear up, putting the frame on jack stands and letting the suspension back down (just make sure the stands are high enough the tires do not touch the ground). Now try to move it back and forth like your checking the tie rod ends on a front end. I don't know if the axle bearings being bad could cause this. I don't think so, but ? On leaf spring rear ends there are bushings that are usually rubber in the spring eyes, which you can change out to a poly bushing.

check the panhard bar, the bushing may be bad, and the bushings on the trailing arms up by the crossmember might be bad also.

well...I do have the trailing arm bushings and I plan on replaceing them when I have time and a real good jack. the pan hard bar bushings are okay...I need to replace those as well. hmmm...I hope that is the case and I can fix it....how do you go about changing the bushings on the trailing arms????

Actually you may have already pinpointed what part of the problem may be. Too much air in the tires, especially in a short bed pickup. If you run empty, meaning not hauling any heavy load then even as much as 30 pounds may be too much. Roll the rig on some dirt and look at the pattern left by the rear tire. If you can't see the edge tread pattern left in the dirt then its got too much air and will wear out the center of the tire prematurely. It will also tend to skip sideways over expansion joints in the road. Tire types and different brands will also have some effect on this. It still a good idea to look at the bushings like you already plan on doing.

Bill

I have Futura Dakota RVTs R15s, 31 x 11.5 It says the Max PSI is 35. My girfreinds dad said I should only have at the most 30 PSI. I'll try that. I notice that when the wheels are parked on asphalt or firm ground they do not buldge at the bottom as much as other tires I've seen. I'll try it. what about the wood bed...does it make a difference???
Thanks guys!!!

That brand of tire is not familiar to me. The sidewall carries a bunch of helpfull info. For instance 35 PSI cold is the MAX pressure. Not the everyday pressure you want to drive around on. Its only if your loaded. You also have to consider the weight of your vehicle. I woiuld not put that tire on my suburban because that vehicle with a load of fuel and a few of my children would likely max out or perhaps exceed the weight carring limits of that tire. On your half ton you'll have to expeirment with the pressure and see what works best for you.

Bill