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Car Forum / Dodge / Dodge Trucks / January 2007

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Front end alignment

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Topcop - 22 Jan 2007 19:44 GMT
My 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD tends to drift to the right.  Even after having
it aligned, same problem.
I know that if I raise the wheel off the ground and can move it back and
forth holding top and bottom, the ball joints are bad.
What about side to side motion?  What should I look for: pittman arm, tie
rod, or what???
Thanks in advance.
SnoMan - 22 Jan 2007 20:19 GMT
>My 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD tends to drift to the right.  Even after having
>it aligned, same problem.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>rod, or what???
>Thanks in advance.

Could be a lot of things. For starters swap front tires side to side
and see if it stays the same. (check tire pressure too) If it does
check for a loose wheel bearing and a draging disc brake. Last just
because it was aligned does not mean it is right. Alignemnt specs are
kinda a guidleine of sorts because different car can have different
needs to be tweaked too (cars are not built on rigid mil spec or air
craft standards) It would help a lot if you could post your alignemnt
specs as they are currently set to se what problem might be (I use to
do alignments in another life and time long, long ago) There was a
time when alignment techs knew how to tweak cars alignment buut today
they just put it on computerized rack and set it to "spec" and call it
a day.  
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
Chris Thompson - 22 Jan 2007 22:40 GMT
>>My 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD tends to drift to the right.  Even after having
>>it aligned, same problem.
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> -----------------
> TheSnoMan.com

what makes you qualified to examine alignment specs??? you still haven't
found that knock sensor on the 488 (8.0L) that you claim is there....heck at
this point ill take one off of a 5.2L (318 cid).

here ill help you out a bit.......THERE IS NO KNOCK SENSOR ON A LA ENGINE.

now as for the OP.

your saying that if you have your hands on the front and rear of the tire
you can shake the tire as if it was turning the truck, right?? I would check
the tie rods, drag link, and pitman. also I hate to admit it but the tire
thing that snoman could be a clue try swapping the fronts if you don't find
anything loose in the front end.  the rest of his rant about the specs of
the car....well I wont comment on that.

Signature

----------------------------
-Chris
05 CTD
06 Liberty CRD

Real Trucks don't NEED spark plugs.

SnoMan - 23 Jan 2007 00:58 GMT
>what makes you qualified to examine alignment specs???

I used to do them 2wd and 4wd and I know them and still know how to
read and do the numbers unlike you. Al my 4x4 have tracked great and
none of them were set to factory specs to do it either nor will you
find funny worn front tires on them either. You can let me help this
guy or be the arse you are the choice is yours. Some kids never grow
up.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com
Roy - 23 Jan 2007 01:05 GMT
>>what makes you qualified to examine alignment specs???
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> guy or be the arse you are the choice is yours. Some kids never grow
> up.

And some kids never had the sense to shut up. How do we know that the info
you give the op is correct? Given that 99% of the BS you post is wrong
and/or dangerous.
> -----------------
> TheSnoMan.com
Chris Thompson - 23 Jan 2007 02:15 GMT
no I take issue with people who wont admit when they are wrong and continue
to give the same extremely wrong advice over and over. you don't have a clue
as to what I know...not one clue.

for your information I AM ASE CERTIFIED I worked as a mechanic for 10 years
before leaving the dealership for something with better benefits for my
family. 4 of that ten was under an alignment rack.

ill give you another chance, I mean shoot no problem since I'm an a.s and
your always right.....

where is that knock sensor???

Signature

----------------------------
-Chris
05 CTD
06 Liberty CRD

Real Trucks don't NEED spark plugs.

>
>>what makes you qualified to examine alignment specs???
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> -----------------
> TheSnoMan.com
azwiley1 - 23 Jan 2007 02:20 GMT
> no I take issue with people who wont admit when they are wrong and
> continue to give the same extremely wrong advice over and over. you don't
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> where is that knock sensor???

Is it right next to the bs detector on your Liberty CRD?

>>>what makes you qualified to examine alignment specs???
>>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>> -----------------
>> TheSnoMan.com
Chris Thompson - 23 Jan 2007 02:22 GMT
>> no I take issue with people who wont admit when they are wrong and
>> continue to give the same extremely wrong advice over and over. you don't
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Is it right next to the bs detector on your Liberty CRD?

LOL bs detector???

Signature

----------------------------
-Chris
05 CTD
06 Liberty CRD

Real Trucks don't NEED spark plugs.

Roy - 23 Jan 2007 01:16 GMT
>>My 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD tends to drift to the right.  Even after having
>>it aligned, same problem.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>>rod, or what???
>>Thanks in advance.

Top posted for sno idiot!

> Could be a lot of things. For starters swap front tires side to side
> and see if it stays the same. (check tire pressure too)

I think you mean check air pressure cold first.

When you go to check the tire pressure feel the hub/wheel to see if one is
hotter than the other(if you have just driven the truck). If so check for
hanging caliper or jammed pad.
Failing that check for bent rim. Jack it up and check the front end, ball
joints, side to side for wheel bearing and steering linkage, tie rods pitman
arm et al.
azwiley1 - 22 Jan 2007 23:57 GMT
> My 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD tends to drift to the right.  Even after having
> it aligned, same problem.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> rod, or what???
> Thanks in advance.

I have similar problems as you, with my truck.  I would recommend that you
look into the pitman/idler arms as that is what is bad on mine, causing the
side to side movement you describe.  If they are bad you might not be able
to tell if the tie rods are bad also until you take care of this problem.
Bill Dunkinfield - 24 Jan 2007 02:41 GMT
> My 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD tends to drift to the right.  Even after having
> it aligned, same problem.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> rod, or what???
> Thanks in advance.

Try switching your front tires, left to right, right to left,  before
you spend any more money.

JAM
 
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