"H" Pattern Chassis Misalignment

[Old Navy]

2005 Alpine Coach with air bag suspension. Escapee SmartWeigh results:
Front end: 1200 lb right front higher than left front. With air bags deflated the difference shrinks to 500 lb.
Rear end: With rear bags inflated left side 2600 Lb higher than right. Air bags deflated, the imbalance reverses - right side now 2000 lb higher.

I need to find a really experienced alignment shop in or near Texas with equipment to solve the problem. Recommendation?

[whem2fish]

Don't know if your around Fort Worth if so rays champion springs just south of down town I believe it is on 287 they did mine they do big trucks

[Robhend]

Originally Posted by Old Navy

2005 Alpine Coach with air bag suspension. Escapee SmartWeigh results:
Front end: 1200 lb right front higher than left front. With air bags deflated the difference shrinks to 500 lb.
Rear end: With rear bags inflated left side 2600 Lb higher than right. Air bags deflated, the imbalance reverses - right side now 2000 lb higher.

I need to find a really experienced alignment shop in or near Texas with equipment to solve the problem. Recommendation?

Hello Alpine owners,
Have you checked ride height on level ground? You have 4 valves on an Alpine.

[Old Navy]

Thanks for responses. Front valves were way off >1 inch. Adjusting them closer to spec worsened the front imbalance. My 2005 has one valve for both sides of the rear axle. Might have stuff in the lines. ???

[VanDiemen23]

If you have independent front suspension this could be a "weight jacking" problem. Set the front ride heights equally, then raise the opposite rear to increase weight on the light front side.

That works on cars with springs - the air bags probably complicate things by attempting to re-adjust.

What is important for consistent handling, especially braking, is to get the front weights equal. Depending on the effective spring rate of the bags, the ride height difference may be inconsequential. If you can't get it equal working from the rear, try adjusting front ride height until the weights are equal and if there's no noticeable tilt, you may be home free.

[Old Navy]

@ Van Diemen, Thanks for the input. I can adjust front independently, but not rear. If I understand you correctly, adjusting the front light side higher than the left (1/2-3/4") should be equivalent to raising the opposite rear. I'll try it.

[VanDiemen23]

let me know if it works. Another way might be to put a spacer between the rear air bag and the mount plate.