Sears Alignment

[X6StringerX]

I had some 31x10.50 A/Ts put on earlier this week at a local mom & pop shop that doesn't have the equipment to do an alignment. I took the X to Sears the very next day. I noted that on the way to Sears, while on the interstate, the X pulled to the right. Sears finished up with the alignment in about 45 minutes. I had to do some things around town, so there was a lot of stop and go at low speeds... not really good for checking the pull. I inspected the suspension in a parking lot and there appeared to be fresh tool marks on the tie-rod adjusters, so I believe that they did actually work on it, but on the way home, the pull to the right was still present. The X had quite a bit of negative camber prior to the alignment. I could detect it visually. Now the negative camber seems to be resolved, but the passenger tire "appears" to be towed out considerably when I straighten the driver side wheel. If I split the difference, the tow out is still detectable with the naked eye. I've read before that the front tires are supposed to be slightly towed out. Does anyone know what is acceptable? 1/8"? 1/4"? I still think I'm going to take it back to Sears and have it checked again. Even if 1/4" is acceptable, it shouldn't be pulling to the right after the alignment. The mechanic said the suspension looked good. The allignment came with a 6 month/6,000 mile warranty.

 

[Mr. Logger]

Take it back and have it fixed. I can't tell you much, as I know squat about suspension jargon such as camber and whatnot.

 

[wyochimneysweep]

did it pull before the new tire? maybe have them rotated also

 

[X6StringerX]

Yeah, it pulled before the TT last week with the old tires, after the TT with the old tires, after the TT with the new tires, and now after the TT with the new tires and the alignment, lol. The suspension is tight and I had them check the ball joints. Nothing appears to be worn. I guess I just didn't get a good tech. I have a printout with the adjustments they made if anyone can decipher them. The best thing is probably to just take it back... especially since it is well within the warranty. I've never dealt with Sears Automotive before... hope they don't give me the runaround.

 

[wyochimneysweep]

there pretty good ussually. go ahead and post the specs and can take a look

 

[97ford50x]

first of all you dont take your care to some one that sells tvs and washing machines find a reputable shop that specialize in aligments and have them do it stay away from the big chain stores (midas,minakee,tires plus, good year)
I try to go to frame shops i find it may cost a bit more but it always better

 

[X6StringerX]

Here's a scan of the printout.

 

[Turdle]

Take it back---they didn't do crap. tell them to get the camber angle the same on each side, increase the right ( less negaive) to match the left

and toe the left out some--geez

 

[X6StringerX]

Yes sir. :





...look at you and your tie!

 

[wyochimneysweep]

the rear axle is causing the pull. check for lose or bent ubolts. broken locater pin or worn bushings

 

[X6StringerX]

I did recently install an AAL, but the pull was there before the AAL. I inspected and retorqued the u-bolts and center pins yesterday and it didn't affect the pull.

 

[X6StringerX]

After waiting over 4 hours today, here are the new results. He said a camber kit would be the only way to get the numbers exactly where they need to be, but with the current adjustments, I should only see minor inner tire wear on the driver side over the course of several thousand miles. My first impression is that the pull is still there, but not near as bad as it was.

 

[gijoecam]

IMHO, he's bein' lazy and tryin' to make a buck at the same time...How did he make the adjustment in the first place if you 'need a camber adjustment kit??' Doesn't the truck need to have a camber kit installed to make an adjustment in teh first place? And yet he somehow managed... Go figure!??!

 

[Creatve]

well if u noticed the before and after specs for camber from the 1st readings, he never made adjustments on them. the only adjustments he was able to adjust was front toe. the camber specs are borderline but still within specs therefore he didnt require a camber kit but its still suggested to get a camber kit because of it being borderline