Wheel alignment.

SteveOGilroy · 12-07-2009, 09:47 PM

Every since we took delivery of our rig it drifts to the right. After several hours this becomes a fatigue issue. On a straight road if I take my hands off the wheel the rig drifts right. I have taken the rig to the left side of the road’s crown and it still drifts right. In a strong cross wind from the right it nearly goes straight.

We have weighted the rig, adjusted loading… no change.

I have taken the rig to the Freightliner service center in Oakland CA and after charging me big bucks they told me that the rig was in spec and no adjustments were needed. It still drifts to the right.

Is this normal or do I need to find a better alignment shop?

tquarles · 12-07-2009, 10:27 PM

No, this is not normal.
I've got a holiday rambler, but I had the same problem. It was a REAR wheel alignment problem.
Since you're in Gilroy, call over to Freedom (near Watsonville) to Wrights brake and alignment and schedule an appointment with them for a 4 corner alignment - I know when Guarantee was there in Gilroy they took rigs over the hill to Wrights for alignments because they had 2 in the shop the day I was there(on their referral as well as the local Goodyear shop's).

You'll also wear out your rear tires in no time with this problem - cost me over $1000 to replace 4 tires in 17k miles because of a rear-axle misalignment that only cost about $300 to fix.

wagonmaster2 · 12-07-2009, 10:28 PM

Is this a new rig or used? Is this a solid front axle or IFS? I've read that the solid axle camber is set at the factory and is non-adjustable without bending the axle, but the IFS can be adjusted in a shop. Do you know if it has had a Steer-Safe or Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer installed on it? I installed a Safe-T Plus (large shock absorber) on the tie rod and until I got it placed just right it would pull the coach to the right or left slightly. Also have you made sure the tire air pressure is the same on both sides of the coach.
Don't know if all this helps or not but good luck finding the solution. I know how bad it can be driving a vehicle that keeps wanting to head right or left all the time.

Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G

**Gary RVRoamer** · 12-09-2009, 02:07 PM

PLease tell us what year and model chassis you have so we can help more, but No, it should not drift. Since you are on the West Coach, your best bet would be a visit to Henderson's Line-up in Grants Pass, OR, or maybe Brazell's in Centralia, WA. Henderson's is the premier place in the West to get motorhome handling problems fixed - they are real pros.

SteveOGilroy · 12-09-2009, 11:40 PM

Gary, The rig is a 2008 Damon Astoria on a Freightliner Custom XC chassis. I have had several local references to a McCoy truck tire company in Modesto, CA as a good local shop. I'll let you know how that works out. We do pass through Grants Pass at least once a year and if this next week's appointment doesn't work then the next time through Or I'll stop at Henderson's. I have to get this fixed since we plan an Alaska trip in late spring 2010.

Thanks for your help,
Steve

MonacoMama · 12-09-2009, 11:49 PM

Steve...Welcome to iRV2!!

I would also suggest Redlands...Please read this thread... and maybe call Keith and talk to him. I do know many folks go to either Redlands and Brazels.
Brazels will also be at Quartzsite this year... and many times Redlands is there to help out.

Again...welcome ...and good luck getting the rig right!

SteveOGilroy · 12-10-2009, 12:18 AM

Thanks, darn, I was just in the Mojave area two weeks ago. If my appointment on Tuesday doesn't work out I now have two other places to try. Thanks.

MonacoMama · 12-10-2009, 12:26 AM

Quartzsite is something you should try to go to - just to say you have done it!
I never really thought it would be a big deal...but I enjoyed meeting folks from this forum so much last year - that I will use my vacation days to do it again this next month!

You should try to set time aside next month just to go - You are welcome to join in with the informal group that you will find from the info here...it will be great fun!

SteveOGilroy · 12-26-2009, 01:02 AM

An update. The personnel at McCoy in Modesto, CA were good. A gentleman named Andy looked at the front end and decided to switch the right front tire with the left front time. This actually corrected about 50% of the pull. He suggested putting another 1000 miles on the tires before I have it aligned. I don't know if there is any tire motorhome science behind this? Seems cheap enough to try. If the problem continues, I'll drop by the Redlands or Grant Pass. Thanks for your help.