New Truck and Alignment Issue?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 65
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New Truck and Alignment Issue?
Just picked up a new F350 gasser only has 200 miles so far. I've noticed on the highway that it will veer to the right very slightly after about 5 seconds going hands free. I called the dealer to see if I could get an alignment and they mentioned something about the suspension settling. They said wait until 1k miles and if it still does it, bring it in. Are issues with tire alignment common on a new truck or does the dealer think I will just get use to or forget about it?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1,016
From: Central KY
What you're experiencing is the crown in the roadway. If I drive in the right lane my truck drifts right, if I move to the left lane it'll drift left. I know it's aligned perfectly because I did it myself.
Also, with the straight axle front end from 1940 that these trucks use, don't expect it to drive like it's on rails the way a 1/2 ton truck does. Lots of slop in all those linkages.
Also, with the straight axle front end from 1940 that these trucks use, don't expect it to drive like it's on rails the way a 1/2 ton truck does. Lots of slop in all those linkages.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 65
Likes: 8
What you're experiencing is the crown in the roadway. If I drive in the right lane my truck drifts right, if I move to the left lane it'll drift left. I know it's aligned perfectly because I did it myself.
Also, with the straight axle front end from 1940 that these trucks use, don't expect it to drive like it's on rails the way a 1/2 ton truck does. Lots of slop in all those linkages.
Also, with the straight axle front end from 1940 that these trucks use, don't expect it to drive like it's on rails the way a 1/2 ton truck does. Lots of slop in all those linkages.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1,016
From: Central KY
There are a lot of variables, but assuming that you aren't accelerating and there is a noticeable crown to the road, then no it shouldn't pull right when you're in the left lane.
Something else I'll mention is that the steering wheel is really hard to get perfectly aligned on these trucks. And if the wheel is off any at all it can give the sensation that the truck isn't tracking straight.
Also are all of your tires at the same PSI exactly?
Something else I'll mention is that the steering wheel is really hard to get perfectly aligned on these trucks. And if the wheel is off any at all it can give the sensation that the truck isn't tracking straight.
Also are all of your tires at the same PSI exactly?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 487
From: North Carolina
keep an eye on the tires and how they are wearing. With that pull you will be getting the outer edge of the passenger tire wearing out, the inner edge of the drivers tire.
but yes very common, my 2023 f350 had a bad alignment, my 2022 f450 was so bad it sheared the edge off in 230 miles, my 2018 had a bad alignment. Only one that didn’t is my 2022 f350.
but yes very common, my 2023 f350 had a bad alignment, my 2022 f450 was so bad it sheared the edge off in 230 miles, my 2018 had a bad alignment. Only one that didn’t is my 2022 f350.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 899
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The HD trucks across the board are generally very sensitive to road crown as mentioned in other posts. An alignment just a little off will exasperate the issue and make it seem much worse, though. If your tires start having an extreme wear pattern, not just the normal rounding of the front tires between rotations, you likely do have an alignment issue. If your not "fighting" it and simply have to hold the wheels little in one direction or the other, it's probably just road crown.
You could run it until the first oil change and check for odd wear and then have them check the alignment. That should be plenty of time to "settle" the chassis, which I think is a laughable excuse from the dealer.
You could run it until the first oil change and check for odd wear and then have them check the alignment. That should be plenty of time to "settle" the chassis, which I think is a laughable excuse from the dealer.
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rkane
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