Went In For Alignment Now Feel Being Taken For A Ride

Thanks so much for your encouragement and feedback - just feeling a little sick in the stomach and neither of us are very good with all these mechanical components on vehicles or the terminology or names.

Hubby just got back in and the best way he can describe it to me, is that it's like a ball and socket type joint with a pin/bolt through it and apparently it's been rubbing metal on metal, and what they are saying is now they have put the leaf spring in it has freed it up somewhat and that is now what's causing the popping. Daughter just called for me to get the terminology and says that the Shackle has a quarter inch overhang and when the shackle is in the hanger it is rubbing a quarter inch groove into the hanger so they are now saying we need a new shackle and hanger on the rear. She asked about the other areas and they haven't looked at those yet, as they are apparently getting prices before they rip that apart. He said that putting the spring in has released it which is causing the "popping", although to me it sounded worse than just popping what I heard on the test drive from the passenger seat last Friday when we took it for new tires.

In addition apparently they have a new body shop manager who used to work on big trucks and he had a look and he said that the crank under the bedroom slide out has a crack on it and he has said in the past when he's seen this the aluminium bracket has broken. It's going from one thing to another, again is this something that we need to get done immediately.

The company we went with are established truck alignment people we were told by others = Southside Truck and Alignment Calgary - we didn't go with a cheap quick fix franchise like Kaltire whom we were told to avoid by several.

We are more than prepared to get things done that need doing but equally don't want to get taken advantage of being so lacking in knowledge in this arena.

Really appreciate your time and experience folks and your understanding of a person not aufait with all these components etc might be feeling = fear of the unknown. Now I'm worrying about this crack crank under the slide out.

Once again appreciate your thoughts.

FTW

We see this every day----needs $1000 of work when it really is only a low tire. One time $2300 for a sqeek on a car with less than 20,000mi on it---and it still had the sqeek. Got that resolved little govt intrevention

I would definitely get a second opinion. This type of issues isn't isolated to RV's. Same happened with our car, out of alignment, bad tire wear (although that may not be your case) as a result of being out of alignment. Find out shocks, struts, and other replacements were the case of the out of alignment. Replaced all and now our car is fine. You need to be able to trust the mechanic.

FULLTIMEWANABE wrote:
our Fleetwood Gas 36ft MH with workhorse Chasis some 13 years ago new. We have replaced tyres much more often than is normal for sure.

If you have replaced the tires more than once over 13 years, it sounds like you put on a LOT of miles.

Things do wear out over time and miles. Some shops stretch the truth a bit too.

Maybe someone in your area could recommend a reputable shop for a second opinion.....IF the first shop comes back and says "Oops, you need additional work that we missed....to the tune of another $1500."

What series of Workhorse chassis? If it is the Workhorse W series chassis, there are very few things that are adjustable. The caster and camber are fixed and the only thing that can be adjusted is the toe-in.
On the P type chassis, caster camber, and toe-in can be adjusted.

your not comfortable with this shop pull the rv and move on.

FULLTIMEWANABE wrote:
... We trusted this advice and signed off to proceed.

...

End of story. I certainly would be getting second or third opinions.

As mentioned another shop might be the answer. As fart as struts? I'm not aware of struts on the Workhorse chassis. Shocks, yes but not struts. Going to need to clarify what you mean by "1/4" something". Get there exact terms then post what they are saying and someone may be able to help you more. Good luck and hope you get it resolved.

I'd call your local GM dealership ask where they refer Workhorse repairs to or if they do them. Other option is to call truck centers to see if they do alignments on RVs, talk to them about your issues and see if they can look it over, probably for a fee.

Unfortunately there are some amateurs out in the business world that shouldn't be in business. I would find another alignment business and get another opinion.