da-fox
09-01-2022, 06:14 PM
I own a 1988 Dodge Ram50 Sport.... slowly rebuilding it but lately its been nothing but a major pain in the b*tt..!!
When I purchased the truck, it never drove really good. Bushings and stuff was worn out... but it drove not too horrible.
Felt like the tires were always a little too open (toe) tho and it would chew thru tires real quick.
Took the opportunity to order all new 4 suspension arms, balljoints, tie-rods, etc, etc.
I've replaced everything, but when I tried to align it the best I could... everytime I would take it out of the shop, the front end would pinch itself and one wheel would literally say f*ck you to the other one. I've spent hours trying to see what was wrong until I sent it to a local shop with an aligement machine.
They spend a good while trying, couldnt put it right. The wheels would do whatever after being set straight when driving forward but would usually go back to normal when driving in reverse.
Time goes by, they noticed that the brackets that holds the strut rod of the lower arms are degraded and chewed a bit inside, making the rod wobbly and loose.
They managed to weld another piece/large washer in to limit movement.
Finally, they get it in specs...but its still not quite right...
If I drive around 60-80 KMh (canada), the tires will start screaming a bit but its wayyyyy worse when turning.
At this point, I dont know what to do anymore or what could be the problem. I'm still waiting to go back to the other shop to ask them if they set up the caster properly as well since I forgot to do it right when I first installed the top arms. I know its annoying to have to unbolt them to turn the shaft to ajust caster.... but would caster cause this much of problems?
From the alignment report (id have to go get it in the car to have the real numbers) it was in red before and after.
It doesnt really pull much to one side or another, maybe a bit more on really uneven roads but its so short wheelbase too its hard to tell.
Camber is set fairly right, same for toe. But it looks like the wheels are still pinching on themselved still when driving forward.
I was told aftermarkets arms were way softer then OEM but still... I dont think it should drive this horribly.
It there something else I should check? body and frame is spotless and straight.
Its almost worst now with all the new stuff than before (only almost haha)
I'm really hoping caster is just way wrong and its the only problem but... I dont know. I'd have to unbolt them and measure them if they're in specs with what I find in the manuals but even then its kind of annoying to read, its a bit out of my specialty.
Anyone else had somewhat major headache doing wheel alignements on their trucks?
I'll try to include pics and stuff ASAP
When I purchased the truck, it never drove really good. Bushings and stuff was worn out... but it drove not too horrible.
Felt like the tires were always a little too open (toe) tho and it would chew thru tires real quick.
Took the opportunity to order all new 4 suspension arms, balljoints, tie-rods, etc, etc.
I've replaced everything, but when I tried to align it the best I could... everytime I would take it out of the shop, the front end would pinch itself and one wheel would literally say f*ck you to the other one. I've spent hours trying to see what was wrong until I sent it to a local shop with an aligement machine.
They spend a good while trying, couldnt put it right. The wheels would do whatever after being set straight when driving forward but would usually go back to normal when driving in reverse.
Time goes by, they noticed that the brackets that holds the strut rod of the lower arms are degraded and chewed a bit inside, making the rod wobbly and loose.
They managed to weld another piece/large washer in to limit movement.
Finally, they get it in specs...but its still not quite right...
If I drive around 60-80 KMh (canada), the tires will start screaming a bit but its wayyyyy worse when turning.
At this point, I dont know what to do anymore or what could be the problem. I'm still waiting to go back to the other shop to ask them if they set up the caster properly as well since I forgot to do it right when I first installed the top arms. I know its annoying to have to unbolt them to turn the shaft to ajust caster.... but would caster cause this much of problems?
From the alignment report (id have to go get it in the car to have the real numbers) it was in red before and after.
It doesnt really pull much to one side or another, maybe a bit more on really uneven roads but its so short wheelbase too its hard to tell.
Camber is set fairly right, same for toe. But it looks like the wheels are still pinching on themselved still when driving forward.
I was told aftermarkets arms were way softer then OEM but still... I dont think it should drive this horribly.
It there something else I should check? body and frame is spotless and straight.
Its almost worst now with all the new stuff than before (only almost haha)
I'm really hoping caster is just way wrong and its the only problem but... I dont know. I'd have to unbolt them and measure them if they're in specs with what I find in the manuals but even then its kind of annoying to read, its a bit out of my specialty.
Anyone else had somewhat major headache doing wheel alignements on their trucks?
I'll try to include pics and stuff ASAP