Wheel alignment?
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 584
Likes: 14
From: Austin, TX
Wheel alignment?
Getting new tires at Sams tonight and will follow that up with a wheel alignment. Wanted to see if there's a recommendation on the type of alignment I should get for this truck.
Is a front wheel alignment sufficient, or do I need a four wheel alignment? Suggestion on a place to get it done? (Sams doesn't do it). Approximate cost I should look for?
Thanks.
Is a front wheel alignment sufficient, or do I need a four wheel alignment? Suggestion on a place to get it done? (Sams doesn't do it). Approximate cost I should look for?
Thanks.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 4
I have my Ex aligned at Firestone. I bought a Lifetime alignment contract. The cost of the contract does not include parts if parts are ever needed. I have the alignment checked about every 10K miles and rotate the tires every 5K miles. Wherever you have it aligned ask for a computer printout of the alignment parameters. I once carried my Ex in for an alignment and they told me it was out of alignment and needed parts. I thanked them and then went and researched the alignment process on the Ex and went back to Firestone and asked for a printout on the readings. Guess what, when they checked it this time it was within specifications. The technician said that he likes to put them "dead on". Well, I wasn't having any tire wear problems or steering problems so I opted to be content with "within specs".
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 762
Likes: 7
Have you guys figured out a way to abuse your trucks badly enough to bend these axles? Is there some kind of "off-set" king-pin / ball joint thing-a-ma-bob that I dont know about ? I suppose it would be POSSIBLE to BEND a "solid" front or rear axle on a 4wd Excursion out of alignment, but would take some doing....!
Or are we just referring to "toe-in / toe out" checks.
My thoughts are - rotate your tires every 5,000 / 10,000 mi. and run your hand over the tread. If you dont feel or see any "feathering" , "cupping", or other signs of un-even wear, I would think you dont have "alignment" issues.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 762
Likes: 7
caster and camber are adjustable on our four wheel drive "solid" front axles ? Really ? I am willing to learn. HOW ?
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 584
Likes: 14
From: Austin, TX
Firestone claimed they were adjustable and that they were in fact adjusted as part of the service.
If that's impossible based on the truck's design (I have 4WD), please let me know exactly why that is and I'll happily go get my money back.
PS. I went originally because I had some feathering on the front tire. According to the inspection, toe in was out of whack by about a quarter inch.
If that's impossible based on the truck's design (I have 4WD), please let me know exactly why that is and I'll happily go get my money back.
PS. I went originally because I had some feathering on the front tire. According to the inspection, toe in was out of whack by about a quarter inch.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 614
Likes: 1
From: Fort Wayne IN
Camber on a solid front axle is the bend of the beam itself. We actually bend front axles on big trucks all the time. Adjusting casting on a solid front axle requires putting shims under the front spring pads. Caster is adjusted on both sides to obtain a suitable cross caster.
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