2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 4 Wheel Alignment?

[lpearson]

Just put on new tires about 1000 miles ago and the back tires are starting to "cup". Fronts are fine.



Friend of mine said I should get a 4 wheel alignment. Any thoughts??????



Thanks,

Lowell

 

[y-knot]

There is no adjustment made to the rear axel, but they set the front to the rear.

 

[lpearson]

Thanks.

Thanks,

I didn't think so. What do you mean they set the front to the rear?



Also I don't think the tires are out of round. They are Michellins LTX M&S. Maybe I got a bad set. Anyway thanks.



Lowell

 

[athompson]

Cupping indicates that the tire is bouncing down the road. I would change the shocks.

 

[scotmartin]

From personal experience

Make sure the tires are balanced, and the weights haven't fallen off. New shocks also help. Check your tire pressure too. Rotating the tires often (3000-10000) miles can also help eliminate strange wearing problems. If all of that is done, and you have had the suspension aligned, you shouldn't't have any more problems.



Scot

tire cupping... ...

 

[y-knot]

Tire cupping is a symptom of bad shocks, so I would pursue that first. To clarify the alinement question, no you can not adjust the rear wheels on the dodge. But they can be out, from bad bushings, spring pack being out, Axel bent, ect. So what the alignment shop does is attach there sensors to all four wheels. They can read where the rears are, and while they can not adjust the rear, they set the front two wheels to match the rear two wheels. It is important for all four wheel to be going in the same direction. Most of the time the rears are fine, but they do get out every once in a while. You can hit a large pot hole, curb and knock it out. So if the technician suggest a four wheel alignment, he is looking out for you and not really trying to take your money.

 

[Mundgyver]

Balance of the tire and the shocks are the first on the list. I believe all alignments are done with 4 wheels now as a standard practice. This meaning that they use laser units attached to all four wheels and set the fronts to run with the back for in-line alignment from the center axis of the vehicle. This was how my tires were done by Les Schwab Tire Co. as explained by their alignment tech.

 

[MCummings]

As y-knot said, there is no adjustments for the rear axle, but it will tell you alot about any tracking problems, or abnormal wear in the rear tires.



I had my truck aligned, and re-aligned, then aligned again, and the truck still didn't have a centered steering wheel when going straight. Finally after plenty of frustration, I took it to another shop, he suggested a four wheel alignemt, and discovered a ball joint that was shot, and a bent rear axle,, to the tune of 2* toe in. The rear axle was making my truck "track" crooked and that's why, even though the front wheels were "to spec" the wheel was never straight.



THe technician used some huge calculator, and a litte bit of voodoo, and got the truck steering perfect.



A 4-wheel alignemnt is more of a diangostic's tool, than an adjustment.



If one side of your truck has a shorter wheel base than the other,, the truck will pull to the shorter side.



My $. 02

Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[lpearson]

Thanks again!

I have new Rancho 9000's all the way around - so I don't think that is the problem. Maybe something like a ball joint or bent rear axle. This sounds more feasible. The tires are new and seem to roll right.



Thanks again for the advise.



Regards,

Lowell

 

[JPLB22]

Just wondering... ... What does it take to bend an axle on one of these trucks ??



Is it from overloading or hitting something with the rear tires or what ??



TIA for for teaching the dummy ( me )



Jeff

 

[RustyJC]

I know there's no adjustment for rear axle alignment, but "stuff" happens. About once a week I'll follow one of the guys at work out of the parking lot and down the street for a mile or so. His relatively new Chevy pickup "dog-tracks" about 6" - I can be driving directly behind him and see the handle on his driver's door!



I've had another friend whose brand new 1967 Ford Fairlane GT dog-tracked like you wouldn't believe. The rear axle location was off - the distance from the tire to the lower front lip of the wheel well varied by (as I recall) about 1" side to side. Ford had a great time fixing that one!



Rusty

 

[MCummings]

Originally posted by JPLB22

Just wondering... ... What does it take to bend an axle on one of these trucks ??

I slid sideways around 70MPH, and hit a 1500 4wd Dodge on the front axle doing atleast 40MPH, maybe even 50.



I was runin' down the street, and he pulled out in front of me, I locked 'em up, slid sideways 90*, and BAM, I hit his front axle with my back axle.



I've put on a couple 10K miles since then and I can't get much mileage out of my rear tires, but I don't think that's because of the axle,,



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[plongson]

Bending a Dana 80 under normal driving and loading conditions would be nearly impossible. A few other possible scenario's come to mind though... Being in a crash, hitting a curb, or jumping your truck like you are riding a dirt bike.

 

[MCummings]

#ad




Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[plongson]

FOR SALE





Beautiful 2003 Dodge Cummins powered pickup. Many options. Low milage. Has slightly bent Dana 80...

 

[Andy Redmond]

Slightly bent American Axle, that has a howl. Ask the 03/04 guys about these axles being a little loose sometimes.

A new ring/pinion and some shimming usually fixes them up. No more Dana after mid -02.



Seriously, you are right its pretty hard to tweak one, but accidents can do strange things.



Good luck

Andy

 

[JPLB22]

Thanks gentlemen.



MCummings & plongson that's pretty funny !!