A vehicle "dog tracks" while driving straight; Technician A says it might be due to a broken center bolt, while Technician B says it could be defective rear shock absorbers. Which technician is correct?

When a vehicle "dog tracks," it typically means that the vehicle follows a path skewed to one side rather than driving straight down the road. This can result from components related to the vehicle's suspension and alignment.

Technician A's suggestion that a broken center bolt could cause this issue is valid. The center bolt is crucial in securing the leaf spring to the axle. If this bolt breaks or becomes loose, it can lead to improper alignment of the rear axle. This misalignment could cause the rear wheels to not track properly, resulting in a "dog tracking" condition.

On the other hand, while defective rear shock absorbers can affect a vehicle's handling and ride quality, they are less likely to be the primary cause of the dog tracking phenomenon. Defective shocks would typically lead to issues such as excessive bouncing or lean during turns, but not necessarily cause the vehicle to track off-center.

Given the context, Technician A's assertion regarding the broken center bolt directly relates to structural aspects of the vehicle's suspension that could cause the "dog tracking" condition. Thus, the reasoning aligns with the mechanics of how a vehicle's rear end can be misaligned due to a compromised component like a center bolt.