2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front wheel alignment Salem, Oregon - Recommendations?

[petersonj]

I live near Salem, Oregon. I will be replacing tires on my truck later this year, but I want to have the front wheel alignment checked ( a second time) by a recommended shop from this forum. I have had the alignment checked recently and it came within specs, but I think I am having outside tread wear on the left front tire (all Michelin tires).

Can anyone recommend a quality alignment shop near the Portland or Salem area? Thanks, John.


2002 Dodge Ram 2500, 4X4, HO, 6 speed

 

[KATOOM]

If you're up for the task, the alignment on these 4wd trucks couldnt be easier. A string or tape measure to achieve approximately 1/8" - 1/4" toe in is all you need. Caster is 0* unless something's obviously bent which would have the tires running perpendicular to the road, and the caster is set by merely pointing the indicator arrow on the eccentric cam bolt towards the front of the truck in about a 45* angle. Really.....thats it. Then when you're all done you center the steering wheel with the adjustable sleeve on the connecting rod. Its that simple. But I understand if someone frets getting it right.

That said, the suspension design on these 4wd trucks are notorious for odd front tire wear if you dont rotate the tires at least every 5000 miles.

 

[JMcCoy]

It's odd that you're only getting outside wear on the left front. That is usually caused by too much positive camber on that wheel. Toe should be 0* on both sides. If it were toe related, it would wear on both tires. Make sure your ball joints, hub bearings and tie rod ends are good. These trucks like a lot of caster (more than the manufacturer spec). If I remember correctly, I have 2.75* on the left and 3.5* on the right, giving me a cross caster of .75*.

 

[KATOOM]

Bad or old tires will also cause unwanted wear patterns.

 

[petersonj]

JMcCoy, thank you for your response. I should have given more information, so here are the details. First, I identified the wrong tire - the right front tire is the one in question. This winter I did major front suspension and steering repair work with the intention of giving the truck a reliable second life for my retirement. The truck now has 225,000 miles on the odometer (215,000 when I did the work). I replaced all upper and lower ball joints, track rod, worn steering parts, steering gearbox, and steering shaft. I added the steering box brace. I did other work as well, but not steering or suspension related.

I had set the caster to a much more positive angle (how much is unknown) and had set the toe to as close to 0 as I could using a tape. It was probably toed in slightly. After doing this work, I have driven the truck empty and towing 4000 to 6000 pound trailers for a few thousand miles. Towing probably accounts for fifty per cent of the miles. The truck handles and steers well under all conditions. I had the wheel alignment checked with the following results:

Caster - 4 1/2 degrees (left and right)
Camber - +1/4 (left) 0 (right)
Toe - 3/32" in

The alignment shop made no changes. My tire wear observations have not been well documented, so I may be overly concerned. Anyway, for my own peace of mind I want to get a second recording and opinion from a recommended alignment shop for the kind of trucks we drive.

Thanks again for everyone's response.

 

[KATOOM]

Sounds like your alignment is in good shape. I wouldnt worry about it too much either. I mentioned it in my first post but I'll repeat it again..... These 2nd gen trucks, and into the 3rd gen trucks, have an issue with the front end geometry which causes odd tire wear. Some times are more affected by this than others but nonetheless, tire rotation at least every 5000 is required otherwise the tread will start to show rapid wear patterns.

 

[petersonj]

Thanks KATOOM. Your advice is sound and I haven't kept up with tire rotation as I should. The truck has served me well and I am sure it will continue to do so. A note of interest - the truck is equipped with an exhaust brake (which I use all of the time) and a six speed transmission . While I was doing the suspension and steering work at 215,000 miles, I also changed front brake pads and rotors for the first time. The pads had at least another 50,000 miles left on them. I am the original owner of the truck.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[KATOOM]

Thanks KATOOM. Your advice is sound and I haven't kept up with tire rotation as I should. The truck has served me well and I am sure it will continue to do so. A note of interest - the truck is equipped with an exhaust brake (which I use all of the time) and a six speed transmission . While I was doing the suspension and steering work at 215,000 miles, I also changed front brake pads and rotors for the first time. The pads had at least another 50,000 miles left on them. I am the original owner of the truck.

Thanks again for your help.

Thats awesome news..... I too have the factory brake parts on my truck because I use the exhaust brake all the time. At just over 100k miles, there's about half the material on the front pads.

 

[JMcCoy]

With healthy steering parts, and a proper alignment, there should be no odd tire wear, especially if you have the T style steering. Now if you don't rotate, like suggested above, that can cause problems. I wish I got that many miles out of my brake pads. of course mine is an auto. I had to replace at least one side every oil change, until I went to the Ford brakes.