2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front end problem

[Hobart]

Took my truck into Dodge for aligment to correct pulling to the left. Needed track bar and driver side offset ball joints to correct "camber". I replaced the track bar with SS's bracket and a 3rd gen. trackbar. Dodge replaced the balljoints ( Wrong ones the first time so I took it back to be redone which they did after wrecking my hub and bearings - that cost!).

Still wanders to the left on a flatish road and to the right on a crowned road. Took it to an independent shop ( this time with my camper mounted) The camber readings left to right: . 32 , . 75

caster: 5. 76 , 6. 87

toe: +. 67 , - . 29

total ft toe: . 38



Spec sheet says the max caster is 3. 80

toe . 09



According to the post a few days ago on alignment the specs don't even seem close.

I'm wondering if the cab over camper weight could change the readings drastically . Dodge said they were right on. And said I'd just have to live with the wander????????

 

[Joe G.]

Dodge said they were right on. And said I'd just have to live with the wander????????

BS. Find a good alignment shop and get it set right.

 

[Deejayare]

wow are your front end specs off. joe g nailed it, the "technicians" working on your truck have it all messed up currently.



you gotta get the front end set correctly before throwing any more new parts at the problem. any front end set up with the numbers you are describing will wander at best. it could dangerous at worst.



best of luck to you

 

[Hobart]

I checked the eccentrics - the driver's side is a little advanced (about 1 oclock ; the right side is at noon). Could this be part of the problem? Given that the caster on the driver's side is 5. 76 and on the right 6. 78 which one should I adjust to even out the numbers? My understanding is they should be = otherwise one tire will be ahead of the other

 

[AKAMAC]

The caster is bad! The camber #s are acceptable but the R side will cause wear problems. If you have put in adjustable BJs then there is no reason to accept those numbers. Joe is RIGHT ON, get a new tech and hand the bill back to dealer for a refund. The wander will occur when +caster goes above 4. 5 or so.

Good luck Hobart, Mike

 

[RSimmons]

My tire wear has been improved greatly by going to a -. 15 toe from 0. If you frequently tow heavy, slightly more negative tow may be a little better. I think my spec book shows 0 deg + or - . 2

 

[Hobart]

Which way should I turn the eccentrics to lessen the caster?

 

[Yo Hoot]

The wander will occur when +caster goes above 4. 5 or so.

Good luck Hobart, Mike

I thought caster is to give centering when you let go of the wheel. How does too much caster create wander?

 

[AKAMAC]

Hoot, I think the best way to describe caster is to use the shopping cart analogy. The cart runs a very - value. This allows for easy turning but poor high speed peformance. The dreaded death wobble in the meat isle!

If the caster is increased you lose the trailing action and force the steering system to center, too much and the centering force is lost and you create a steer system trying to turn itself around.

I use the cart as an example becaue the values are so dramatic. On a vehicle with our weight the small % of change can make a big difference.



Hobart, If you look at the arms, think of making them shorter. But I would ask that you get a true alignment done at a "good" shop. If you reduce the value too much you can end up with a "death wobble" condition. Not good, Mike