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Front end alignment on my ramvan #2740400
02/06/20 04:17 PM
02/06/20 04:17 PM
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fredericksburg,va
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cudaman1969 Offline OP
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fredericksburg,va
Had it aligned, drove nice and felt “free” little effort on steering and gas pedal (might just be in my head). Then Backing up with wheel turned hard to right and a loud bang-pop. Had to grip the wheel to keep it from turning right going forward. So I take it back to shop for them to check what moved. Getting it back it pulled slightly to the left now, turns easily to the left with no effort but harder to the right. Took back and felt the same (i really don’t think they touched it but just said they fixed it) Anyone have a clue whats going on? I have an idea but I need some ammo before going back for the fourth time.

Last edited by cudaman1969; 02/06/20 04:18 PM.
Re: Front end alignment on my ramvan [Re: cudaman1969] #2740482
02/06/20 08:16 PM
02/06/20 08:16 PM
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massachusetts U.S.A.
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1969ronnie Offline
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massachusetts U.S.A.
Hi cuda , what year and what are you trying to align ? ! ton , ? 4 X4 ? ronnie drive

Re: Front end alignment on my ramvan [Re: cudaman1969] #2740510
02/06/20 09:25 PM
02/06/20 09:25 PM
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Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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I'd have one of em test drive it.


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Front end alignment on my ramvan [Re: 1969ronnie] #2740518
02/06/20 10:10 PM
02/06/20 10:10 PM
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fredericksburg,va
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cudaman1969 Offline OP
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fredericksburg,va
2001 3500 Ram Van, just put all new parts in front end up including one upper control arm, fairly new tires. I’m done with these guys, cost? $383.59 but none next two times.

Re: Front end alignment on my ramvan [Re: cudaman1969] #2740524
02/06/20 10:35 PM
02/06/20 10:35 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,400
Wi.
old_racer Offline
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I'm sure the upper control arm moved , one of the bolts that pinch it down didn't hold, probably wasn't tighten enough. I've seen it before.

Re: Front end alignment on my ramvan [Re: old_racer] #2740538
02/06/20 11:45 PM
02/06/20 11:45 PM
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fredericksburg,va
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cudaman1969 Offline OP
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Yes that was what I saw. The shop can’t get it back right, I need to know snitch way to move it to counteract what it’s doing now, more or less caster?

Re: Front end alignment on my ramvan [Re: cudaman1969] #2740565
02/07/20 01:34 AM
02/07/20 01:34 AM
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Fulton County, PA
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CMcAllister Offline
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Needs to go on a rack. Take it to another place if you need to. 1) Get the alignment right. 2) Make sure the thing is safe. You do not want to hit a bridge joint at 70 and have the thing come loose again. Fastener damaged or something else going on.


If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
Re: Front end alignment on my ramvan [Re: cudaman1969] #2740631
02/07/20 11:42 AM
02/07/20 11:42 AM
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UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
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NITROUSN Offline
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UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
Originally Posted by cudaman1969
Yes that was what I saw. The shop can’t get it back right, I need to know snitch way to move it to counteract what it’s doing now, more or less caster?


As said bring it to another shop get a before and after printout. If it is in fact out of specs bring the original shop the bill. If your control arm is in fact moving it is changing caster, camber and toe so having it checked and corrected is really needed. Also ask them to make sure the bolts turn freely. If they are tight which is common with age and rust they can not be tightened to the correct torque. I would find the torque spec and make sure all upper arms are torqued to that spec. It is a rather high torque spec.

Last edited by NITROUSN; 02/07/20 11:43 AM.
Re: Front end alignment on my ramvan [Re: NITROUSN] #2740715
02/07/20 04:48 PM
02/07/20 04:48 PM
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fredericksburg,va
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cudaman1969 Offline OP
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They supposedly moved it back to spects after it slipped then tightened the heck out of it. It then pulled to the left slightly, had them recheck it, then they said it’s spot on now (I think they did nothing). Still basically the same, pulling to the left, not much effort to turn left but more of an effort to turn right, this is going from right lane to left lane and back. Again, do I add more positive caster or more negative caster on the side that slipped with what I described?

Found out from another source, to much positive caster, I’ll move it forward a degree at a time till it’s right

Last edited by cudaman1969; 02/07/20 08:44 PM.
Re: Front end alignment on my ramvan [Re: cudaman1969] #2741110
02/08/20 11:55 PM
02/08/20 11:55 PM
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fredericksburg,va
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cudaman1969 Offline OP
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fredericksburg,va
Well, piece of cake, moved the arm around a bit (eyeballed it) till the van drives with no pull or wander. Moved and test drove four times, set the toe back and alls well. Later







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