Issues with alignment after level?

[MN5241]

Just recently put in a level and went to the dealer to get it aligned. They gave me back in the sheet that showed how far off the toe/camber was etc, and where they corrected it. But it seems it now pulls to the right and if I return to "Center" the wheel is actually 10 degrees turned to the right. if I straighten it, it pulls left. Almost as if they put it back together with the steering not centered? I'm not too familiar with the process of this, but it doesn't seem right to me. This is my third leveled truck, and never experienced such a thing. It will be going back next week either way for other work and I will have them look at it again.

What you all think?

Thanks in advance!

Update: 2 days on the current alignment and it seems fine. I pulled the mudflaps off and no longer rub. However there is still a metallic clunk in the front passenger side, as if something isn't clearing on bumps while turning or is loose. I don't physically see anything, i crawled under and put my body weight into everything to see if I could find a loose spot, but nothing. I will have them investigate monday when I bring it in.

Another Update: So drove around a bit this morning, and I can consistently get the symptoms to occur. It seems very likely in the steering somewhere.

Heres a 3rd updates: found this service bulletin, https://www.dropbox.com/s/k2rdkokgd3ve381/Noise from Front Sway Bar Link.pdf?dl=0
Symptoms seem the same, however my truck build date was october 20th, either way I crawl under there, 18mm box wrench and 8mm socket, its loose...no means 68ftlbs, don't have the ability to get it tightened myself at the moment, or time, will look into testing this tomorrow.

 

[Lize]

Sounds like they didn’t center the steering wheel properly when doing the alignment, they should correct this for you - don’t let them charge you for doing it again.

 

[MN5241]

Sounds like they didn’t center the steering wheel properly when doing the alignment, they should correct this for you - don’t let them charge you for doing it again.

This is my thoughts exactly! I've had a far from great experience with this dealer, going to get them to correct it, and that will be it for me there, I will drive the distance to another dealer. The truck went in for the squealing brake TSB, they had ordered the parts, needless to say they replaced my trailer brake controller module. You get to the point where you can only laugh at how often they have screwed things up. But its the closest dealer within 25 miles of me.

 

[Lize]

Getting the wheel straight is pretty basic although you can forgive an odd mistake. With your other issues it doesn’t inspire confidence so I’d go elsewhere even if a bit further afield.

 

[RamCares]

Just recently put in a level and went to the dealer to get it aligned. They gave me back in the sheet that showed how far off the toe/camber was etc, and where they corrected it. But it seems it now pulls to the right and if I return to "Center" the wheel is actually 10 degrees turned to the right. if I straighten it, it pulls left. Almost as if they put it back together with the steering not centered? I'm not too familiar with the process of this, but it doesn't seem right to me. This is my third leveled truck, and never experienced such a thing. It will be going back next week either way for other work and I will have them look at it again.

What you all think?

Thanks in advance!

Hi MN5241,

We certainly understand why this would be concerning. If you’d like an additional layer of assistance as you work with your dealer, please do not hesitate to send us a private message. We’d be happy to help.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

Just recently put in a level and went to the dealer to get it aligned. They gave me back in the sheet that showed how far off the toe/camber was etc, and where they corrected it. But it seems it now pulls to the right and if I return to "Center" the wheel is actually 10 degrees turned to the right. if I straighten it, it pulls left. Almost as if they put it back together with the steering not centered? I'm not too familiar with the process of this, but it doesn't seem right to me. This is my third leveled truck, and never experienced such a thing. It will be going back next week either way for other work and I will have them look at it again.

What you all think?

Thanks in advance!

They may have the caster split biased to the left which causes a right side pull when driving on crowned roads because the road slops to the right side. Caster spec for the ram is +5 degrees +/- .50 degrees with a cross caster or caster split of +/- .50 degrees. Here in the states where we drive on the right side of the road you want the right side caster about .3 degrees higher than the left to compensate for the road crown. For example if the drivers side caster is 5 degrees you want the passenger side at 5.3 degrees. With these numbers reversed the truck will pull right even when the toe is dead on perfect. What does the sheet show with respect to caster after they did the alignment?

 

[MN5241]

They may have the caster split biased to the left which causes a right side pull when driving on crowned roads because the road slops to the right side. Caster spec for the ram is +5 degrees +/- .50 degrees with a cross caster or caster split of +/- .50 degrees. Here in the states where we drive on the right side of the road you want the right side caster about .3 degrees higher than the left to compensate for the road crown. For example if the drivers side caster is 5 degrees you want the passenger side at 5.3 degrees. With these numbers reversed the truck will pull right even when the toe is dead on perfect. What does the sheet show with respect to caster after they did the alignment?

Here is the sheet, not sure what I'm looking at.

 

[Lize]

I was thinking about this, I drive on the left and it will slowly run off from the crown and coast over towards the left, just like UK cars do. I'm assuming caster is set identical on each side from factory?

 

[MN5241]

Too add to this, there is a audible chatter in the front end somewhere now...almost as if something is loose. I may leave work here early and go straight to the dealer, it feels as if its getting worse. Mind you I drive 65 miles a day, so this is noticeable.

 

[RamCares]

Too add to this, there is a audible chatter in the front end somewhere now...almost as if something is loose. I may leave work here early and go straight to the dealer, it feels as if its getting worse. Mind you I drive 65 miles a day, so this is noticeable.

Hey MN5241,

Sorry to hear you are now experiencing this concern as well. I just responded to your most recent private message, but I wanted to touch base with you here to make sure you were aware. Please take a moment to review my message when you can.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

Here is the sheet, not sure what I'm looking at.

Caster on the right is 5 degrees left is 4.8 should be good. Sounds like something else is incorrect.

 

[VaderRebel]

For what's its worth, I had to correct the toe in-out after two alignment attempts by my dealer... could be something in the geometry of the level spacers that the tech isn't compensating for. Everything else was fine, once I adjusted the toe its dead center and tracks straight as an arrow.

For those experiencing offset steering wheel symptoms, check for proper toe.

 

[MN5241]

I went back yesterday to have them fix the issues, they admitted to since this dealer was just recently renovated that the alignment rack has not been working properly since they had moved it. Either way they got it back on the rack and after watching them move it on and off the rack, they seemed to have a heck of a time getting it right. Either way they got it within a small margin of how it was stock. I will upload their corrected spec sheet. Either way, its crazy to think they are even doing alignments if their rack ain't doing it right.

 

[MN5241]

Here are the updated corrections

 

[Richard320]

Here is the sheet, not sure what I'm looking at.

They didn't touch caster or camber at all, strictly toe-in. Adjusting toe-in also affects steering wheel center. The way it's supposed to be done is to start the engine and set the steering wheel dead center and install a lock to hold it there. Then you adjust each side's tie-rod to spec. Looks to me like somebody skipped a step -- most likely left the engine off. And then they must have skipped another step -- the test drive at the end, where you make damn sure the steering wheel is straight.

 

[MN5241]

They didn't touch caster or camber at all, strictly toe-in. Adjusting toe-in also affects steering wheel center. The way it's supposed to be done is to start the engine and set the steering wheel dead center and install a lock to hold it there. Then you adjust each side's tie-rod to spec. Looks to me like somebody skipped a step -- most likely left the engine off. And then they must have skipped another step -- the test drive at the end, where you make damn sure the steering wheel is straight.

My feeling as well. Yesterday I had watched them, took them about 2 hours, multiple times taking it off the rack driving it and coming back.

 

[Lize]

Glad it’s sorted. Leaves you wondering about them though, knowing they had problems it seems like they only wanted to spend time making sure it was right because you took it back.

 

[MN5241]

Glad it’s sorted. Leaves you wondering about them though, knowing they had problems it seems like they only wanted to spend time making sure it was right because you took it back.

I spoke too soon, it still seems to want to walk to the left while the wheel is to the right. Now I've also noticed not even at full lock I'm rubbing in the front when turning left... so not even sure what in the world is going on with it. Its about to go some place else and cut my losses.

 

[Lize]

You shouldn’t be having all this bother. I know extra cash but avoid wasting more time and having poor confidence I think I’d go elsewhere and get them to check there isn’t something loose (the chatter noise) and align it correctly once and for all.

 

[MN5241]

You shouldn’t be having all this bother. I know extra cash but avoid wasting more time and having poor confidence I think I’d go elsewhere and get them to check there isn’t something loose (the chatter noise) and align it correctly once and for all.

I'm going back again today, spoke to the manager there, he seemed dumbfounded that they would have to adjust it that far out in order to get it "aligned". I told him how I feel about the confidence here.