Factory Alignment Problem?

[ceastmen]

Has anyone experienced an alignment problem right off the showroom floor? If so has the dealer been able to fix it? Is there any special procedure - other than praying for competent techs?



My 04. 5 pulls to the right and steering wheel is not centered (was to the left of center), took it in had the factory align it, and it still pulls right. Now the steering wheel is right of center. grrrrr...

??



Thanks in advance.

 

[PJ]

I just had my truck in for the same problem. Alignment done and problem corrected. No Charge under warranty. 6500 miles on truck.

 

[GDouglas]

When I got about 5k miles on my truck I had noticed the inside tread rib on both front tires starting to eat. Since I was once a dealer tech once upon a time, I still have my old school alignment tools/gauges and a couple of slip plates. Sure enough, the UAW factory alignment was way out of specs on all settings. After about an hour and a half, all settings were right and the steering wheel spokes were centered. Now, at 30k, I have noticed that the inside edges of the front tires have definitely stopped eating and I am experiencing even front tire wear like it should have been from the factory.



Sometimes I do not trust the calibrations of the electronic alignment machines that are in use about everywhere. Or maybe they aren't checked enough for accuracy/calibration. One thing about it, the old school stuff always works, but it may take a little longer to do it.



Since you have little to no success with your dealer, I would suggest you find one of those old fashioned alignment shops and just pay about 50 or so bucks to keep those expensive 17" tires wearing evenly. I am hoping that the aftermarket comes up with more offerings for replacement tires in order to bring the current prices down.

 

[stacerbob]

GDouglas, I beg to differ. (just kidding)We have both electronic and "old school" I can be making my first adjustment in the time it takes to set the electronic stuff up!! And "most" not all with lazers are affected by bright sun light. You can't argue with a bubble and a toe bar!!

 

[ropinfool2]

I have the same problem. Has always pulled to the right. 20k miles now. Haven't taken it to dealer, tires are wearing ok. I'll get it aligned when it's time for new tires. John

 

[GDouglas]

stacerbob;



Yeah, it sure does take a while to set up the electronic machines, but they do have the speed advantage overall for doing 4-wheel alignments, but as far as 2-wheel alignments like on our trucks, the old school stuff can have the speed advantage in the hands of the right technician except for steering wheel centering. I usually set up strings between a set of jackstands to get real close for straight ahead tire position and then compare where the steering wheel spokes are. Sometimes after a test ride if the spokes are a little off center, all it takes is just a quarter turn on the toe adjusters to center the steering wheel correctly. A lot of times you run into a situation where all instruments/tools indicate that the steering wheel should be dead center, but on the real world test drive, you find out that one tire wants to drag a little more than the rest and you have to make a compensating adjustment based on just pure experience to get the steering wheel dead straight as it should be.

 

[DGFoster]

Mine is doing the same thing,pulls to the right and wheel is left of center,I am taking it in tomorrow.