Alignment ?'s
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Elder User
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From: Irmo, SC
Alignment ?'s
I have a 4x4 dually crew cab, and I cannot keep the front end aligned. I did a search and it seems like alot of members here are more lucky than I am in this respect. I am wondering how long you may go between alignments and what they might be doing differently than they do to my truck. It is almost time for new front tires again and these are not even a year old with maybe 20k on them. I have replaced the ball joints ( twice ), tie rods, and some other stuff on the front. Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Millbrook Alabama
Ummm, I guess I am one of the lucky ones. No alignment adjustment in 210K. I have it checked every 2 tire rotations (10K miles) and the mech. has never had to adjust anything. I have about 20 alignment sheets in my maint. file that shows all o.k.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
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how many miles on the truck? what kind of terrain do you drive on? tire wear is a true sign of out of alignment- or burnouts.
You may need to bite the bullet and go all out on the front end. Replace all the good stuff ($$$) and the gear box (more $$$). Just cuz it doesn't wonder to one side doesn't mean its aligned. I freaked out with the wear i was getting even though mine traveled straight.
I bought mine at 150k, drove it for 20k before I got it aligned. Had one tire toed in and the other toed out. It was enough to to make her cruise strait, but dang she wore the outsides of the new tires some.
You may need to bite the bullet and go all out on the front end. Replace all the good stuff ($$$) and the gear box (more $$$). Just cuz it doesn't wonder to one side doesn't mean its aligned. I freaked out with the wear i was getting even though mine traveled straight.
I bought mine at 150k, drove it for 20k before I got it aligned. Had one tire toed in and the other toed out. It was enough to to make her cruise strait, but dang she wore the outsides of the new tires some.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Middle Tennessee
Originally Posted by totin_tools
I have a 4x4 dually crew cab, and I cannot keep the front end aligned. I did a search and it seems like alot of members here are more lucky than I am in this respect. I am wondering how long you may go between alignments and what they might be doing differently than they do to my truck. It is almost time for new front tires again and these are not even a year old with maybe 20k on them. I have replaced the ball joints ( twice ), tie rods, and some other stuff on the front. Thanks.
I have put about 14k on my truck since I got it and both of my front tires are wearing in the inside of the tread. I went to dealer and they told me alignment was $200+ and if I needed shims/plates/bushing or whatever it was it could cost $200 more. Guess what? I am driving the tread off of my tires.
As long as it steers on center and does not wander, I will replace my tires and drive on when the time comes. If I have them align it I could be out several hundred and have them wear on the outside or whatever. Not going down that road.
I'm sure someone will be along soon to inform me that my camber or toe-in is off but I'm OK with that for now. That is just me.
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From: Irmo, SC
Just turned 174000, mostly paved roads I drive on. Usually towing my travel trailer so I do carry a load. The inside of the tires just wear away and then they start to cup, I think the cupping issue is front not getting them balanced as often as I should. It seems like the left side wore faster this time last time it was the right. I guess I will need to find my algnment sheets and see what the changes were. Right now if I am driving on any road and let go of the wheel it pulls pretty quicly to the right. Gonna go out and check some things this morning. Thanks for the help!
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Wake Forest, NC
Just a thought but if the truck is primarily used for pulling with a load this will tend to raise the front end just enough to throw off the alignment. Hence the inside wear due to be lifted up a bit. You may want to have the alignment shop try to adjust for a load accordingly.. Just my $.02.. Good Luck!
Last edited by Dukernc; Aug 14, 2007 at 08:56 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
I think you need a new alignment shop. Also the tire wear could be from not rotating the tires. This is hard on a dually if it has alloy wheels. but if you have steel wheel you need to rotate the tires every 5-7k. Also next time you have the alignment checked post the measurements (they should give you a print out) and I can tell you what is going on. Many shops just get the spec with in range but that doesn't make the alignment correct.
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