Where to get Front End Alignment

[rosspam]

So where does everyone take their Sprinter Motorhome for Front End Alignment. I went to MB Oklahama City, they informed me after 2 days, their equipment won't accommodate the wide body on the rear, yet the person that checked me in was very accommodating saying they could do it.

Suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[R.Wold]

I took mine to an independent truck repair shop that did work for local medium duty trucks, and county rigs, etc like dump trucks, fire dept stuff, busses, and also RVs. My neighbor has a sprinter based rig and while the dealership is accommodating (and has good coffee) they really gouge on price, and they are very busy.

The shop I’ve use is in rural NH. Not sure you’d find one like it in a big city because municipalities have their own shops, and bigger companies with medium duty rigs probably go to their respective brand shops. But I called around specifically looking for an alignment rack that would accommodate duals, and found one, so if you broaden your search a bit you’ll probably find one. Just might have to drive a bit, like B&B Truck repair in Admore, which coincidently, is the same name as the shop in NH.

Doing a broader search, I found Falls Truck Center in Wichita Falls that does truck alignment. Probably one closer, but when I have to do something like this I make an outing of it and find something to do in the area while the work is being done.

This one looks promising: Silverado Road Service Diesel & RV Repair Shop, 6700 S Eastern Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73149

[AudiDudi]

I used the MB dealer in Gilbert, AZ. Spendy at $240. The technician did not set the alignment to MB specs and said the settings he used worked better for the extra weight the coach places on the chassis. After wearing out the original front tires in under 15k miles, I now have about 7k miles on new tires that are showing no wear.

[LucasCali]

Originally Posted by rosspam

So where does everyone take their Sprinter Motorhome for Front End Alignment. I went to MB Oklahama City, they informed me after 2 days, their equipment won't accommodate the wide body on the rear, yet the person that checked me in was very accommodating saying they could do it.

Suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!Attachment 306954Attachment 306955

Found my problem with “Camber” on mine MH at about 9,000 miles. MBZ could Not handle do to size. Used a Independent that corrected 2-degree & 1 1/2 degree alignment that was caused after Big Box of MH installation. No Special alignment bolts were needed.

[Rocinante440]

We had our wheels aligned at the local MB shop. However, they said they only do "all wheel" alignments, and do not do "front wheel" alignments. It was expensive, but the van rides better after than it did before, so they must have done something right. Next time we think we want an alignment, we plan to have it done at a Freightliner shop that handles Sprinters, because their labor rates are lower and they know just as much about Sprinters as any MB shop would. In addition, Freightliner shops are used to handling big vehicles and we suspect they are more likely to be fully prepared to handle a Sprinter 3500 with dual rear wheels.

[cajunawacs]

We bought ours at McClain's in OKC. They sent us to the Freightliner on I-40 just west of town for chassis/drivetrain service (Premier Truck Group, 5301 I-40W). Had great luck. We also had to use the Freightliner dealership in Anchorage, as the local MB dealer couldn't handle our Sprinter Class C. No issues there, either.

[rosspam]

I'm OKC area and Mclains customer as well. Was your sprinter the freightliner or MB variety?

Ross

Originally Posted by cajunawacs

We bought ours at McClain's in OKC. They sent us to the Freightliner on I-40 just west of town for chassis/drivetrain service (Premier Truck Group, 5301 I-40W). Had great luck. We also had to use the Freightliner dealership in Anchorage, as the local MB dealer couldn't handle our Sprinter Class C. No issues there, either.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by Rocinante440

We had our wheels aligned at the local MB shop. However, they said they only do "all wheel" alignments, and do not do "front wheel" alignments. It was expensive, but the van rides better after than it did before, so they must have done something right. Next time we think we want an alignment, we plan to have it done at a Freightliner shop that handles Sprinters, because their labor rates are lower and they know just as much about Sprinters as any MB shop would. In addition, Freightliner shops are used to handling big vehicles and we suspect they are more likely to be fully prepared to handle a Sprinter 3500 with dual rear wheels.

The all-wheel/total alignment corrects thrust angle too, which is the main reason for excessive tire wear, and handling problems. If your steering wheel is crooked incorrect thrust angle is the probable cause.
The laymans term is dog-tracking.

[604eholston]

When my local tire store pointed out the uneven wear on my steering tires, they referred me to a a nearby truck tire dealer who assured me that they were quite experienced in aligning Sptinters and could handle my rig, a Winnebago Era. They could, they did and I have driven another 20,000 miles with no more uneven wear and nor problems. Forget how much it cost but a hundred and twenty comes to mind.

[trode]

Originally Posted by 604eholston

When my local tire store pointed out the uneven wear on my steering tires, they referred me to a a nearby truck tire dealer who assured me that they were quite experienced in aligning Sptinters and could handle my rig, a Winnebago Era. They could, they did and I have driven another 20,000 miles with no more uneven wear and nor problems. Forget how much it cost but a hundred and twenty comes to mind.

Got my 2012 Itasca Navion sprinter done at local truck center that has done alignment on my class A (Ford) for years. When I got it had uneven tire wear and consequently tire noise and pullling in steering. After done was like a new motorhome, no noise (had tires trued) and tracks and steers 100% better. I know some folks don't agree with truing tires (shaving) but I have done with my class A and this class C and made huge difference. I had done to new tires on my Class A after having balanced 3 times and still having a vibration at highway speed. After truing it was smooth as silk. Don't mind losing some miles of tread because on average I drive my motorhome 5,000 miles a year, and will never wear out tires before they "age" out.

[cajunawacs]

Originally Posted by rosspam

I'm OKC area and Mclains customer as well. Was your sprinter the freightliner or MB variety?

Ross

It's a 2013 MB Sprinter.

[rosspam]

I am happy to report that after a nice email to MB vans customer service, MBOKC called and purchased the required wheel extensions to do the wide body motorhome and mybrigbhas now been aligned.

[okc.papa]

Originally Posted by R.Wold

I took mine to an independent truck repair shop that did work for local medium duty trucks, and county rigs, etc like dump trucks, fire dept stuff, busses, and also RVs. My neighbor has a sprinter based rig and while the dealership is accommodating (and has good coffee) they really gouge on price, and they are very busy.

The shop I’ve use is in rural NH. Not sure you’d find one like it in a big city because municipalities have their own shops, and bigger companies with medium duty rigs probably go to their respective brand shops. But I called around specifically looking for an alignment rack that would accommodate duals, and found one, so if you broaden your search a bit you’ll probably find one. Just might have to drive a bit, like B&B Truck repair in Admore, which coincidently, is the same name as the shop in NH.

Doing a broader search, I found Falls Truck Center in Wichita Falls that does truck alignment. Probably one closer, but when I have to do something like this I make an outing of it and find something to do in the area while the work is being done.

This one looks promising: Silverado Road Service Diesel & RV Repair Shop, 6700 S Eastern Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73149

Has anyone used these folks in Oklahoma City? Need to get my MB Sprinter front end check/re-aligned.

[okc.papa]

I just received an email from this shop. Says they can do RVs. Woo Hoo. Now for the fun? ($$) part? Sure. Stand by for more info when I get the work done.