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2WheelJB's avatar
2WheelJB
Explorer
May 29, 2018

Where to get front end alignment

I have a 2004 Fourwinds 5000 Class C motorhome. It's on a Ford E350 chassis with a twin I-beam from end. The vehicle pulls to the left and I want to get a front end alignment. Finding someplace to do the work is proving to be difficult. I live in a western suburb of Chicago and I'm looking for a reputable place to do the work.

Anyone have any suggestions.

Jon

14 Replies

  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Dittmer will be along, and should have another possibility.

    A proper alignment, with at least 5* left and 5.5* right CASTER (even a little more, Right should be half a degree more since it's built into the design), Camber close to Zero, and Toe just slightly IN, is totally worth doing. Some shops will claim they shouldn't install the Adjustable Bushings that may be necessary, claiming they'll work loose. IF IF IF the assembly is clean and the Pinch Bolts properly torqued, they WILL stay put, and WILL allow those specs to be achieved.

    That said, a tire can fail in a way that it causes a Pull. If you're up to it, switch the Left and Right front tires just to make sure the pull itself isn't a tire problem.
  • Be careful of the alignment you ask for, a normal E Series alignment will consist of a "tweak the toe and you are good to go".

    What you really need is Ingalls 594 caster bushings installed AND the positive caster as high as you can get it with the 594s. Typically that works out to be at least RH +5.6 and LH +5.4 degrees with a nose down attitude of 1.0 degree.

    Be careful, that is CASTER not CAMBER. If you say +5.6 Degrees "Camber" you will be totally discredited if the shop is inclined not to cooperate.

    Ford ships these E350/E450 Cutaways off the assembly line
    with +3 to +4 degrees of Caster. Those settings are
    OK for city driving BUT you want to have +5 to +6 degrees
    of Caster for highway driving, OTHERWISE:

    POPULAR MECHANICS MAY 1973:
    START QUOTE:
    If too little caster exists, the car will wander and weave,
    thus necessitating constant corrections in steering.
    END QUOTE:


    There are at least two ways to increase the effective
    runtime caster:

    1. Decrease the tire inflation pressure to the required
    minimum for load (to increase Pneumatic Trail), and or

    2. Increase the caster angle during an alignment
    (to increase caster trail).

    If you find an improvement in reducing the tire pressure
    you will be amazed what it is to add +2 degrees of caster. IMO.

    The specified range of Caster for the E350/E450 is
    from +1.5 to +7.0 degrees. As you can see
    almost any possible setting is "within spec"
    for the "tweak the toe and you are good to go"
    alignment services. Stay away from Ford
    dealerships and have it done at a "good"
    truck front end shop.
  • I asked at several places that I knew I wouldn't fit in. After getting two responses for a certain shop, I went there. People working in an industry usually now about their own nitch industry.
  • I do not know how close this is to you BUT I do know they will cooperate with you to get over +5 degrees of caster.

    Phone: (847) 856-1420 ask for Dave

    7365 W Grand Avenue
    Gurnee, IL 60031
    Fax: (847) 856-1417
    Email: dave@dwellsautomotive.com

    ON EDIT: Sorry, this alignment rack is only large enough for VANs