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Front Tire alignment failure

mexicanpiloto13
Explorer III
Explorer III
I just got some new RV tires for our Monaco Dynasty, Goodyear G670s I think they are, and had them aligned by Purcells's Tire Truck place in Phoenix. The alignment wasn't that bad when I went in, but when leaving, the rig was pulling sharply to the right. I called them and they suspected I had "radial pull" since the alignment was right on.
They said to come back and they would switch the front tires and see if that wasn't better. It wasn't much. The rig still pulled to the right. I know some roads have a crown on them for drainage, but even long stretches of flat freeway, it would produce the movement to the right. They said come back in and we'll check the alignment, which I did. (80 mile drive from our home).
They found the alignment was off and redid the entire job, still pulling to the right when I left. They were now talking of swapping the rear duals to the front and I gave up. I told them nothing seems to be working. Last time Spectrac did it, in Mesa, and did a super job. Is radial pull that big an issue or could their calibrations be off? Thanks for your thoughts!!
22 REPLIES 22

dodge_guy
Explorer
Explorer
I bought my MH used last year. Everything checked out great and it had 1 year old Michelin’s. With the alignment sheet. I didn’t look at the sheet till after the drive home. It would dart back and forth in the lane to the point it was a handful to drive. I looked at the alignment sheet and found it was 5/8” toed out. I used a tape measure and set it to 3/16” toe in and it now tracks perfectly starlight with no handling issues. Sometimes alignment shops have the equipment but no one knows how to use it properly.
Glad you got it all
Sorted out!
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

wolfe10
Explorer
Explorer
Unless very quality-driven, CASTER which has a significant effect on pulling to one side on solid front axle application requires dripping the side of the axle enough to install shims.

Less quality-driven techs are content with "just about OK".

Normally right side caster is 1/2 to 3/4 degree more than left to compensate for road crown.

http://www.truckcomponentsonline.com/TRUCK-CASTER-SHIMS_c_316.html
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'FDDS
Ex: 1997 Safari 35'
Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240

Diesel RV Club:http://www.dieselrvclub.org/

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Explorer III
There are several things that can cause a Pull to the right (or left)
Alignment is one
Tire pressure is another believe it or not
So is a dragging brake.
And there is more
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times

ArchHoagland
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the update.

Glad to hear Purcells's refunded your money.
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD
Workhorse W22 8.1 Gas Allison 1000, 7.1 mpg

2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
US Gear Brakes

mexicanpiloto13
Explorer III
Explorer III
I wanted to tell you the final chapter to my alignment problem. Got new tires at Purcell's Tire and Auto on our Dynasty and had them aligned. The coach pulled sharply to the right. Had it rechecked 2 more times, they just couldn't get it to go straight down the road. Even thought it was radial pull, and switched the front tires. Months later, I took it to Bell Road RV in Phoenix. This isn't the fanciest place but their techs really know their stuff. Service manager Phil said they would "align it to drive" not "align it to the specs" as many places do. On an older coach, the specs can be a little off. They spent 4 hours, test drove the RV several times, and pronounced the alignment a success. I have never seen the alignment so right on target. They aligned it to drive, not to the specs. Purells's, when told of this, was nice enough to refund my alignment costs with them. Thanks to all for the good advice.

tenn_vol_
Explorer
Explorer
My question is why did you have the alignment done in the first place?
Was the old tires wearing excessive, or did the salesman suggest you
need to have your NEW tires aligned as you just invested a lot of money.
Let me guess!

Been on earth 75 yrs, NEVER had a vehicle aligned. But I have turned
down the advice to have them aligned many times.
Just installed my fourth set of Michelin on a 2002 Winnie Adventure.
The set that came off this time looked as good as the set that came
on the RV the day I drove it off the lot NEW..............TennVol

wolfe10
Explorer
Explorer
Yes, disconnect, then re-center it. I can't believe the alignment shop didn't catch this.

No question, a self-centering steering stabilizer that is not properly centered WILL cause a pull to one side.
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'FDDS
Ex: 1997 Safari 35'
Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240

Diesel RV Club:http://www.dieselrvclub.org/

Ivylog
Explorer III
Explorer III
Disconnecting the stabilizer will solve the problem.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
Sold 04 Dynasty to our son after 14 great years.
Upgraded with a 08 HR Navigator 45’...

mexicanpiloto13
Explorer III
Explorer III
Many thanks as always for the expert advice. RV.Net has the wisest people. Yes, we did have a steering damper put in, but its always tracked well until this alignment.
And unfortunately, the people who put on the new tires are the people who aligned it, so I had no chance to drive it in between.
Yes, I should have gone to Spectrac, they have always done the previous work. I agree that the company should have refunded the cost, since the alignment didn't work, but after 3 visits, I feel a fix is beyond their capability. Very best

allbrandauto
Explorer
Explorer
yes it can be a preexisting problem. a lot of times you put tires on and align it and you think its going to be strait as a arrow. but when its not you think they did something wrong but it was but the pulling was always there

Durb
Explorer
Explorer
I bought my truck used; the previous owner had new tires installed and a front end alignment. The truck needed constant correction to keep from steering right. I took it in to Les Schwab and had it aligned again to factory specs, same problem, no change. Took it back, the alignment specialist knew what he was doing and made some corrections on his own. Truck tracks straight as an arrow and has done so for seven years. Tire wear is normal. He told me what he did but I can't remember the details.

My guess there is an alignment specialist somewhere that can make your rig right.

CapriRacer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Except they swapped tires left to right. That should have reversed the direction of the pull if it was tires. The pull didn't change, so the problem lies somewhere else.

I'm going for draggy brake.
********************************************************************

CapriRacer

Visit my web site: www.BarrysTireTech.com

allbrandauto
Explorer
Explorer
so the real question is was it pulling before tires were put on.If it wasn't then the tires are the problem. in my shop I have put new tires on and have seen the same problem. had to put tires in a different position to make car happy

wolfe10
Explorer
Explorer
On the Monaco 8 outboard air bag suspension, you have a solid front axle.

So, no CAMBER adjustment (short of bending the axle).

Caster is set by solid shims and is unlikely to change.

So a front end alignment is basically checking RIDE HEIGHT and TOE as well as verifying no worn parts. Lots of bushings that locate the "H" frame in that suspension.
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'FDDS
Ex: 1997 Safari 35'
Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240

Diesel RV Club:http://www.dieselrvclub.org/