My truck rolls down road sideways...

[mediccummin]

Just found out yesterday that my truck tracks down the road sideways. My dad was following me and said he can see the hole side of my truck and both rims on driver side. Does or has anyone else had this problem. If so can a 4 wheel alignment correct this problem or what needs to be done? I am real worried about taking it to my dealer they break something everytime it is there. The dealer did a bad job on the first alignment and told me it is maxed out as far as adjustment go's because the knuckles on the ends of the axle are welded on 1/8" off. I attempted to get it replaced but no luck. I had a long post awhile back on my dealer and how bad they have treated me and what they have done to my truck. (CROWN DODGE IN VENTURA CA. ), sucks... ... So anyway back to my truck. What do I need to do? It appears to me that the bad welding could be causing this? Dwayne.

 

[Great White]

Wow!, Go find the regional rep and scream. I am afraid to take my truck to Crown for the clockspring recall.

good luck, Rich

 

[Jim Norton]

I hade an earlier dodge do the same thing,turned out the locating pin(bolt?) on right rear leaf spring was not in hole in spring pad. Hope yours is something this simple. Jim

 

[JMoglia]

Wow, I agree I only go back to dealer for re-flash stuff,although the guys here at capitol Dodge in SJ CA. are really cool especially to us Cummins nuts,any who check out the differential mounts,U-bolts etc. maybe diff. is just tweeked,that would make you real side ways too.

good luck, Joe Moglia

 

[Lazy-Boy]

Seen this on the road sometimes

I drive home from Las Colinas TX every day and occasionally see a Duramax with the same problem. The rear end is over to the right about three inches. I don't know if it hurts anything but it sure looks ridiculous. Seems like this would be something that's adjustable.

 

[mediccummin]

Hey Great White

I have not even recieved a recall notice yet and I called (CROWN DODGE IN VENTURA CA. )and they no nothing about a recall, so they say. Hows your truck, I put a 4" and few other things since I saw you last. Talk to ya later. Dwayne... .

 

[Dennis Garrett]

Your wheelbase is shorter or longer on one side. You see it a lot of Chevy's, not too much on Dodges. An alighment shop can probably identify where it's off at, but don't know if it can ever be fixed, unless it's a spring seat pin hole like earlier described.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Dwayne, I wonder if you approached a "reputable dealer" from the point of view that this misalignment from the factory will be a safety hazard in that handling will be adversely altered and unpredictable, particularly in an emergency situation. I think Great White's idea of contacting the regional rep and perhaps DC customer service simultaneously (registered letters, meticulous documentation, etc. ) might get you on the road to repair. If you get the run around and need larger caliber weapons, words like newspaper/television station, attorney, BBB, and DOT may provide some leverage. Best of luck!

 

[Shovelhead]

"Craby Dodge"?

The easy way to check your truck for incorrect tracking is drive through a water puddle with the wheels straight ahead (spray some water on your driveway) and see how the tire tracks look on the dry pavement. The rear tires should be following the front ones with even spacing.

Unless you're backing up, of course

 

[**ICEMAN**]

had a 4x4 chevy do it to me before. center pin was broke. spring shop said a 1/4 inch out at the spring will look like a foot out when your following it.

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by **ICEMAN**

had a 4x4 chevy do it to me before. center pin was broke. spring shop said a 1/4 inch out at the spring will look like a foot out when your following it.

Same thing happened to me on one of my old Jeeps... it would be an easy fix, lets hope it is something this simple.

 

[Ron Bissett]

quick check

when I first got my truck the truck pulled to the left and was hard to keep in lane also the stearing wheel was not straight with the wheels , shop said could not lift it 3500 so you can take it to alignment shop , whent to a shop that align all the fire and heavy trucks in area fix it in no time . when before fix I could park on side of painted line in parking lot and see how far out the wheels were , You could mark next to your wheels all four then move away and using a chalk line snap a line and take a picture for the zone rep to look at prior to having it aligned . Take picturs get it on paper that you think something is not right and what they will do about it. Get names times places record all times you call and name of party and title of rep . Hope you get it fixed . Ron in Louisville KY

 

[mediccummin]

thanks so far

I would like to thank you all for the suggestions so far. Just to add I have already contacted the BBB and DC for the past problems with my dealer and have had no results yet. But I will keep trying. Thanks again... ... Dwayne

 

[Great White]

Dwayne

Once I had a Toyota which wore tires funny and was tricky during braking on mountain roads then it took a terrible hit. I took it to a shop for repair and they put it up on a frame bench for $600. 00 they did what they called a "laser" frame alinement. I don't know if the words were smoke and mirrors BUT... . after that work that truck drove absolutly straight and tire wear was perfect... Perhaps some shop around here has similar equipment? Try going to Howery's Brake shop in Ventura there is a guy Mark or Mike I think... Ask them who is the best.

Rich

 

[Bad340fish]

Track Bar

Could the track bar be out of what?? I could see that causing a problem in the way it drives. The Pre HD chevy 4x4s have a wider front track than rear track, so they looked broken all of the time lol.



A laser Frame Aligner is a real deal. My Barracuda has been trashed twice since I have had it(not my faultlol). It still drives straight. Cost about $36 an hour and $500 to hook up around here. Two wrecks with a total of 10K in repairs. I believe in frame machines now lol.

Clark

 

[Missouri Mule]

Frame could be out of square but unusual for new truck. If it was every truck made the same day would have messed up frame.

Also with a frame out of square a vibration from back end should be felt.

Alignment shop can tell you if frame is messed up.

Hopefully will be easier fix.



My brother bought new used car from dealer (dealer stated never been accident) car had bad vibration at 40 mph in rear. The dealer's shop aligned the car, still vibration. Took it to Ford dealer alignment tech told brother it had bent frame, one foot of front left metal bumber missing under plastic covering and had been in major front end collision. Independent alignment shop confirmed.

Dealer where he bought it from reluctantly paid for frame straightening and new bumber.

 

[merryman]

Bro-in-law's Dodge had the problem Jim mentioned. Rear springl locating pin was not in the hole. Made it run down the road crooked and wore one rear tire more than the other.



Vaughn

 

[ET]

frame bent?

my truck does the same thing and i took it to a frame shop and had them check it and found it to be bowed in the middle by 1/2" and bent in the front. hope you have better luck.