ANy good alignment shops locally?

[dpuckett]

And by localy, I mean within about a 100mi radius. I had a local shop here in Cape Girardeau- supposedly the best- align the front end of my 92 D350, and it wanders like a sailor on shore leave. Not as bad as Mom's with her bad center link, but still cant take my hands off the wheel. There is no slack anywhere outside a slight bit in the steering box itself, which I may adjust or may replace with an aftermarket box. Ball joints and steering components, as well as the bushings are all nearly new (<5000mi).



I will pay for quality, but dont want to drive 100mi to get a job I can get done at Sears or the dealer here locally.



Daniel

 

[btoscano]

I don't know what shop you took it to, but generally if one of my vehicles has a problem after an alignment, I take it back and they fix it for free. When you replaced all the bushings did you torque the control arm bolts with the weight of the truck resting on the suspension/tires?



Brian

 

[rumblefish]

I think I would stop asking people in your area who the best is. They all seem to lead you in the wrong direction, kinda like your truck is doing :-laf

 

[dpuckett]

btoscano- it had some slack in the steering coupler, so they couldnt get the toe aligned right the first time. I changed the coupler with one from a low mile 1/2ton, and it cocked the wheel, which I can live with, but it still pulls to the right. It has been more than 2 days, so I am SOL on that matter. Live and learn with the mediocrity. At least I have a good injection shop local.



rumbelfish- That is why I asked here; locals dont know diddly about old Dodges.



DP

 

[btoscano]

Slop in the steering coupler has to do with toe-in adjustment? 2 days?



Find another shop.



Pulling right can be a caster/camber adjustment or even a bad tire.



Brian

 

[dpuckett]

I was exaggerating on the 2 days, I think. I havent told y'all the good half of the story, and it's embarassing that I even took it to Snyder's after that fiasco. They "inspected" the front end 3 times, and then quit when they found one thing wrong. So, we have established that this shop isnt worth the TP I flushed yesterday, and hence my query into another good reputable shop.



DP

 

[Mel Fuelling]

DP,

Both of my D350's seem to like the front wheel bearings adjusted about one

notch tighter than I have used before, giving a slight preload.



Often, if suspension elements are not worn, a steady pull in either direction results from a difference in caster. Some suspensions seem to like a small

caster differential to steer neutral on a crowned road.



Good Luck,

Mel

 

[btoscano]

Daniel,



I would try asking a body shop where they take their problem cars for alignments. I find the guys that don't have any computerized equipment to the best because they understand their trade. The guy I use is about 150 miles away. He does a good job for a great price and so I never bothered to try find anyone closer.



Brian

 

[JLEONARD]

DP if you were in Ct I could help you out.

 

[JApplegate]

the first alignment i had done on my truck after i rebuilt the front end... i thought i was going to die driving home. the truck went all over the road.

cause: bad tires... my tires were worn so bad that i had to rewear them before they would drive right. but after a month i gave up and bought new ones.