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Front end alignment

Old Dec 3, 2005 | 08:22 AM
  #1  
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P.J
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From: Port Deposit, MD
Front end alignment

I took my truck in yesterday for the front enf alignment I should have had done when I put the leveling kit on. The truck has never pulled, or strayed, wore tires funny, etc. but since I bought it (30,000 miles) the steering wheel have been cocked a little to the right. If you straighten the wheel to where it looks even in the truck, you WILL drive of the roadway in about 50-75 yards.

Now then, as stated I have neve had what I would consider to be a mis-aligned truck, just he stupid wheel centering thing. I told the owner of the tire shop just that, that I had recently put on a set of dealer take offs and wanted to make sure that I didn't mess up my new rubber.

I aksed them when they were through how it look, and the guy looked at the sheet and said "Whoa, the divers side was 1/4" out (toe). I was like, "whatever, the old tires lasted 60K, I was just worried tired of the steering wheel being cocked while rolling down a straight highway".

I took the truck back twice after road testing it, the wheel is in the EXACT same place a sit was when I took it in? I called them rather than driving back in for a third time, he told me to bring it back at 8 am Monday morning, if they couldn't get it right they would refund my $.
I suggested to the mechanic that maybe there was something else under there that was giving them such a hard time, I don't know, ball joints, track bar? He didn't really say much on that.
They spent a good while on it the first time, seemed like a pretty complex process.

Any thoughts?
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Old Dec 3, 2005 | 12:49 PM
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From: Columbus,GA
Yeah dude don't take it back to those clowns. If I am not mistaken, all you have to to is a little adjusting on the drag link. I don't think one side would be out of toe without the other side being out. That being said, That could be why the 1/4 inch on one side has your steering wheel offcenter. Again, a drag link adjustment will fix that in about maybe 5 minutes. The track bars on these trucks are not worth a poop. That could affect it as well. Get a buddy to turn your wheel back & forth, just a little & see if there is much loose looking movement in the upper track bar joint. If there is then replace it, before it breaks & you have a wreck & get killed. It is that serious. Check it out for your own piece of mind. If you are unsure take it to someone you trust & let them examine it, not some clowns at a tire shop.
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Old Dec 3, 2005 | 02:01 PM
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GSP
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From: Wildomar, Calif.
I agree that alignment shop are idiots. My 99 I can adjust the steering wheel position at home and the adjt. doesnt effect any wheel alignment.

Also a new truck of the dealer lot, usually can use a good wheel alignment.
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