Should I start Over?? (long)

[Adam_Dodgezilla]

Well I've had the truck aligned three time and it still pulls to the left!! The Body shop says it's dead on the spec's And some guy named brian with my insurance company not my adjuster called me said that he was at and the body shop did all they can do!! Well I told him firmly that they Have not Fixed the truck Completely it pulls to the left!

well he said and I quote him " Well it's lifted and the modified how do we know it didn't pull before?" BECAUSE I TOLD YOU IT DIDN'T!!!! Well its straight and nothing is bent. he said to me. I'm sooooo pissed at this point I had to take a second and a deep breath and I told him

if every thing is straight, like they say it is, then get in my truck get up to 80 mph and let go of the F@#*ING Wheel and see what lane you end up in!!! Then slam on the brakes and she if it stops straight!! Well he said if I feel the truck is't finished I can take it to a shop I feel that can fix it. Ok I will...

Well I get home and I'm thinking that I don't want the truck they Ruined I told the wife that I wanted to find a new truck!! She Said good luck you had a hard enogh time find this one!

Well I got to work and got a bunch of dealer Phone numbers around my area,

Well the first One I called Brentwood Dodge (Where I got DodgeZilla) And they found one for me

a White Qc Short Bed 6SPD SLT Two/trailer Pkg, Travel Pkg 4. 10 lsd. $34,000. 00 plus $1000 off Dealer instentive. .



Well Should I get a NEW one with a 6spd?

And how much is DodgeZilla Worth??



I need help with this one guys!! I really Love this truck and I have alot of time and money in it

what would you do??

thanks

Adam

 

[ETOBICOKE]

Forensic Investigator

Well Adam it does sound like you have a problem.

First you should always contact your lawyer, just in case you have to go after your insurance company, sometimes this must be done in a timely fashion to avoid limitations. The next logical step is to contact a Forensic Investigator that specializes in automobile colision. They will have your truck independantly inspected, and usualy in these sort of cases find something was not properly repaired.

Just to ask a silly question, have you checked over the frame to see if it is straght? You can do it yourself if a nice flat surface (likea floor at work) is available to park on. You can measure various frame features in reference to the floor and compare them from side to side. You can also measure the frame rails corner to corner diagonaly to check if the frame is racked.

The other silly question I should ask is if your truck was repaired at a shop recomended by the insurance company. Some insurance companies, in conjunction with the shop, do this to avoid properly repairing the vehicle.

Usualy your local better business bureau, can recomend an investigator, and aswell let you know if others have complained about the repair shop.

Hope this helps.

Neil

 

[Doc Tinker]

A good alignment guy can custom align your truck to meet the customers needs. It might be hard to find someone who understands how to customize your alignment though. Back in the early 70s, they used to train new mechanics in how to do just that, at the technical school that I attended.



The trouble these days, is that most people don't want to take the next step. They will do only what the manual dictates and that's the end of their effort.



I think, for alignments, that factory specs should only be the starting point of an alignment. After getting it to specs, the technician should drive the vehicle and readjust according to the vehicles needs. Then the customer should test drive, with the technition to verify his satisfaction.



One problem with alignments... to do it right, the alignment should cost more than what is normally charged.



Back in my small engine repair days, we used to show the customer that the equipement worked properly before delivery. Alignments should be done the same way.



Doc

 

[HEYBOSS]

Originally posted by Doc Tinker

A good alignment guy can custom align your truck to meet the customers needs. It might be hard to find someone who understands how to customize your alignment though. Back in the early 70s, they used to train new mechanics in how to do just that, at the technical school that I attended.



The trouble these days, is that most people don't want to take the next step. They will do only what the manual dictates and that's the end of their effort.



I think, for alignments, that factory specs should only be the starting point of an alignment. After getting it to specs, the technician should drive the vehicle and readjust according to the vehicles needs. Then the customer should test drive, with the technition to verify his satisfaction.



One problem with alignments... to do it right, the alignment should cost more than what is normally charged.



Right on Doc! Find a good frame specialist and he will align that truck right to a "t" There has to be something wrong with it, but these new techs looks at numbers or better yet pictures and that's as far as they go. Too bad you're not local, that truck would be like it came out of the show room.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Adam,

Based on your description of the truck I'd say it isn't worth anything. How would you feel about yourself knowing you sold the truck in that condition?



The insurance co has a legitimate issue with the lift/tires and not knowing that it didn't pull before the accident. I don't know the particulars of your case but why would you expect the insurance co to believe you just because you said it didn't pull? Look at all the guys that say they'll just take the fueling box off before going to the dealer with a problem... .



Was the frame inspected on a frame alignment machine? What about the suspension components, could they be bent? I got hit in my CJ-7 and the spring hangers got twisted enough that there was ~1/2" difference in the wheelbase on each side.



Get a lawyer and work thru the issues with the insurance co. If the truck can't be returned to before collision condition then make them total it out.



Brian

 

[Adam_Dodgezilla]

Well the truck was on Laser powered frame machine and it's straight and the aliment is at factory spec's. The problem is that it pulls left, the side it got hit on!! I got hit so hard it bent the axle housing a Dana 60!!! So they replaced it. I told them if the housing got bent. I believe the upper and lower could be bent on that side, that's why it pulls to that side! I was told that it looked fine. I took the truck to a VERY good Shop I've had two cars there before. Well I'm getting another rent-a-car today a full size truck

no more cars I don't care if it cost a $100 a day No more Mr. Nice GUY, I've been very Patient and there going to fix the truck that I've worked very hard to pay for!!!! I told my insurance agent (who is a friend) that is my truck

isn't as good as it was before. That I'll get a new one and sue them the Difference So her Reply was take the truck any where I want to! So I have a appointment on Thursday with the best shop in the state!! I told them to take the truck there in the first place, but NO!! I don't want to feel guilty to let some one inherit my problems, but if the insurance co. Total the truck the truck will go to a Auction some would buy it that way. So I'm going to fix the truck If I can't then the insurance co is buying the truck!!

 

[dvieira]

Adam...

you probably have done this already, but when my wife bought her Durango, {Antioch Dodge} all was good, then she received a notice about some recall and we had a check engine light also, so we took it in and at the same time had a 30,000mi service done, i drove it about a week after and noticed that the steering was pulling hard right, figuring my wife had hit her favorite curb again, i took it to have the alignment done, they told me it was a separation of the radial wire layer,they switched the tire over to the other side, same thing, i finally just bought 4 new tires, end of problem.

dave

antioch.

 

[Adam_Dodgezilla]

dvieira- Were neighbors, well thinking it could be tire related I rotated the tire so every possible combination would be up front No luck it still pulled, if all four tires are bad then I think it would have pulled before!

well it get worse I just got my rent-a-truck and it's a Ford F150 Just shoot me and put me out of my misery) Well thursday It's going to Concord Saftey Center, they'll find the problem!!

Thanks

Adam

 

[Power Wagon]

Hi Adam... you did not mention whether it pulls worse when braking... BUT...



I'm with dviera here... If you had that tire replaced on the side that got hit... That very well could be t he problem. I had a new set of tires put on my car, only to find that it pulled drastically to one side while braking and mildly when not. Although no defect was ever found in the tire, replacing it cured the problem entirely.



Unfortunately, the number of technicians who understand automobile physics is dismally small, and the chances of you taking your truck to a big shop and having a person who grasps all the fundamentals of how a suspension, braking system, and tires all work together work on it is abysmally small.



If, after checking the alignment twice, and concluding both times it really is in spec, then one should look elsewhere, including the steering box (hey, you got hit didn't you?), new tire, w rong offset wheel or a dozen other obscure but important details.



I'm sure it can be fixed. There is nothing made that can't be repaired to as good as it ever could be the first time.

 

[socal_rattler]

"well it get worse I just got my rent-a-truck and it's a Ford F150 "



I hate to get laughs at someone else's misfortune, but this post was the best laugh I got all day! Sorry to hear of your problems.



I had a Ram 1500 before I got my CTD, and I was also hit pretty hard. It got fixed, but never felt the same (It had been violated!). Traded it for CTD

 

[Adam_Dodgezilla]

Power Wagon- Well now I'm thinkin(it Hurts) that I'll try to put on the Stock tires with only 26k on them and take it out for a spin That shold look really funny!Like roller skates. I have a new steering box!and it pull as hard under breaking. I'll try it all!! Keep the suggestion coming!!

thanks guys

Adam

 

[dabubba]

hey adam-- did bob or darin do the check at concord safety ? also check the brake pad drag- my 99 did it- went through 3 sets of front pads in 35,000 miles-- dodge bought it back for that and the trans problem--- also have you checked the fluid pressure left to right/ front to rear something to think about

 

[Adam_Dodgezilla]

I'm Making Progress

dabubba- I have an appointment on thursday at Concord Saftey Center, So I feel very confident that they will fix it or at least tell me what's wrong with it! I was messing with it today and I got it pretty close it has a slight pull now and

it dosn't pull as hard under braking! I also so went to the dealer today and test drove a 6spd HO.

Not to inpressed, Don't get me wrong the torque in first gear is incredible, but in a race my auto is a lot faster, you just can't shift that thig fast enough!Or maybe it's just me!! Any way I would rather fix my truck and drive it and not have a payment!! Well I'll keep you guys informed, how this thing turns out!!

wish me luck!!!



Adam

 

[dvieira]

wish you Luck

wish me the Lotto

 

[drawson]

Adam, Do you have any print out from all of these alignments? If you do post them or E-mail me diredtly at -- email address removed --.



Let me see if I can be of any help...

 

[dabubba]

yea hvac had the same problem thats why he's not shiftless- I tow so the ho was the way to go--- but do have the brake drag checked-- the 99's had a problem with the pads dragging-- I got tired of hearing "well they all do that" won't go back there again good luck

 

[MidwestMotorman]

things to check...

There are SO many things to check after an accident...



Being in the body business for over five years has left me wise. You got a whole new front housing correct? Did you get a whole assembly with the rotors and hubs? You have a right of "betterment", to have matching components.



Not replacing the upper and lower arms was a mistake. Those rubber bushings flex, and a little side force can weaken or cause them to seperate. That will make the alingment check out fine, but once the truck is moving or braking, those bushings flex and change the alignment.



Some unknowing individual could also have tightened the suspension components with the truck in the air or resting unevenly causing an incorrect preload.



You can do a quick check of the tracking by going from a point on the front axle to a point on the rear axle. Do the same for the other side and be consistent. A vehicle will pull toward the side with the shorter wheelbase.



Remember this is your truck, and you are legally entitled to have the truck in its pre-accident condition. Do not be bullied around. I have seen the little guy beat the insurance companies 99% percent of the time. It is just that 99% of those people never get to court because they are afraid or scared by the "big" guys.



Keep any and all records with this fixing attempt. Judges like anything in writing, and any evidence goes a long way. Good luck and ask any and all questions so you can have the best advice!

 

[Adam_Dodgezilla]

I'm getting the alignment and frame print out faxed to me today, from the body shop, I'll post it! I messed with this thing all weekend, I have this thing very, very close! I measured the wheel base, and the left side was about 3/8" short, I messed with it and it's Soooo close!! It barley pulls I think it could be the brakes dragging like dabubba's truck, I was really temped to trade this truck in!! I just don't want the payments. I think that the truck can and will be fixed Thanks

adam

 

[MidwestMotorman]

WOW...3/8

Holy cow... 3/8" is a lot off! In the body business we allow 3mm tops!!! Somebody goofed then...



Well, the best of luck to you. The truck can be fixed, you just have to get over the fact that it was hit.

 

[dabubba]

adam- I was told by one of the ram runners that there was a thread in the tdr archives relating to the brake pull/drag- my 99 went through front pads every 10-15,000 miles I had 34,000 when dodge bought it back- Another story I never looked it up but if you want I'll e-mail the bud when he gets back from vacation or you're welcome to come on down to the ram runners meeting (3rd tues of the month) we have a bunch of members that live in the area and truck pool to the meeting--- good info--- curt