What could cause my axle to stick out further on one side than the other? Could these guide bolts mentioned in the other thread be bent or broken? I never noticed it until I got these wheels/tires. The difference is about a half an inch, the truck rides straight and true so I just think it's shifted in the leafpack and hardware.

I think there was in an accident at the drivers side bed, it's had apparent body work and is a slightly different color than the rest of the truck. It sticks out further on the passenger side so I think it was hit and never readjusted?

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Drivers side (6 pics)
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Passenger side from front (5 pics)
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Passenger side from rear (4 pics)
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That all looks pretty normal to me, my bottom leaf is also pitch out like that.

Did you buy the vehicle new? Or used?

If used, makes me think it might have been in a accident that bent the frame.

 

It was used, and I'm pretty sure it's been in an accident that even coincides with this anomaly. Wheel sticks out on passenger side, bedside paint on drivers side doesn't match cab completely.

 

It's really easy to confirm the axle position with a simple tape measure - measure how much of the axle protrudes to each side of the frame and you'll see. If the truck has been hit, the truck bed could be bent or misaligned, or, worst case, the frame could be bent. The frame on a Dakota is pretty tough, so I doubt it would be bent, but it's worth a look and since it's made out of rectangular tube, a frame repair or "wrinkle" should be easy to spot.

It's easy to check the frame "square" condition. You need a flat surface, a plumb-bob (a weight on the end of a string), a piece of chalk, and a tape measure. Park the truck on a flat surface attach the plumb bob to each corner of the frame and mark that position on the flat surface with the chalk. Now when you have the four frame corners marked on the ground, measure the 2 diagonals (left front to right rear & right front to left rear) - they should be the same. but really close is good.

 

A body shop won't charge you to much to simply inspect the problem you are mentioning to us. Plus, you will have a professional eye looking at it.

I say take it to a well respected body shop near you, tell them what you see, and I am sure they can tell you exactly what the deal is.

 

Yea if it looks like the paint is different, it probably has been in a accident. My guess is they replaced the entire quarter panel skin.

If you ever look at how this skin is attached it sure it a pain in the *** to remove.
So with all the cutting and re-pinch welding that is needed to be done, It would not surprise me if they are off a little bit.

 

So just that bed side could be sticking out a little further, didn't think of that. I kind hope it's just the axle, and that I can fix by loosening the ubolts and bumpin it over. I hate to say, but it actually really bothers me lol. Even if when it comes down to it, it's mechanically sound and just body.. I still won't like it.

 

I am going to assume that your truck is a 4x4. Most truck manf. off set the rear axles so that the tires when in 4wd grab new material (snow, dirt, sand) and arnt just in the tracks of the front wheels.

Come to think of it even 2wd trucks do this.