Alignment is wandering. Can i mark it when straight and realign at home?

Here is a caster / camber gauge very similar to mine except mine has two levels:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BEST-Caster-Camber-Wheel-Alignment-Gauge-Autocross-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem45f7771e73QQitemZ300504522355QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

This is the toe gauge I have:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Wheel-Alignment-Toe-In-Toe-Out-Gauge-New-box-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5d2c97fdcbQQitemZ400180116939QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

These are slip plates I have but this price is ridiculous, I got mine for around $100:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Whee...Z130466118334QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

 

did you check with Dodge an see if they have a recall or update?
ask if they could update to a diesel while there,,,

 

I don't think there is anything wrong except for poor experience with this truck with the guys of my choosing. My last alignment guy did it for all three sets of tires, dead on, without the eccentric plates, and they never budged.

The next guy did the toe and said caster couldnt be done without the eccentrics. It has been hell since I put those on. 2 guys got it straight, but it let loose on the way home the first time (guy number 3) and the 4th guy got it to stay straight for about a month, and now it is just wandering a touch. But I know it will get worse a little at a time.

If I knew I could mark it and move it back, I would be doing it now while it is still really close. And weld the plates to the frame.

I think my best bet is get it aligned again (under warranty), tell the guy to crank it to 100 ft/lbs, not the 80-85 recommended. Immediately get home and weld the plates, mark the positions, and hopefully be able to fix it myself from then on assuming I don't physically damage anything in the future, or new ball joints (would they throw it off?)

I will keep an eye out for those plates and gauges. Especially the plates. I bet I could pick up a used set somewhere...Now that I see what you are talking about, I know what to look for. There has to be an old shop that is tossing theirs out to replace with a new laser set.

 

Without actually knowing what your setup looks like, can you drill a small hole through the eccentric and control arm and put a roll pin in there to keep things from moving around? Or at least as a guide to realign the parts?

 

Pretty good idea... :Handshake

 

Just a thought. Soon as you are comfortable that the alignment is good, pull over and mark and scribe then at that time. Then you can see if it moved when you get home.

 

Gene, that is what I was going to do. BEFORE i make a 60 mile drive before I get home.

Then tack weld the plates, and scribe the eccentrics in relation to the plates in a semi-permanent manner (cold chisel or dremel a deep scratch into both).

 

Dang. I thought I lived in the sticks.. That's a drive.

 

That is how far i drove to find someone who could do it RIGHT! There is a Goodyear about 3 miles from my house, who started all this trouble in the first place. The second was about 5 miles from work, who got it close, and confirmed that #1 did a shoddy job.

#3 was way on the other side of town from both #1 and #2, and is about 50 miles away, depending on how I drive there.

I found another one even closer to work I may try out to see if #4 can get it close. If not, back to #3, since I know that kid can actually get it pretty close to right on.

 

Doing it today. Going to discuss with alignment guy if he recommends against or for the welding the plates to the frame after he gets it straight. So far, manager of store is saying no, but he isn't having to have his car aligned twice a month...

Is there any potential problem with welding the guide plates down? Just a couple tacks to hold them still.

 

A tack weld won't hurt nothing. They tack the caps to driveshafts all the time. Just dont get carried away with the welder.

 

Guy said the nut had worked loose on one of the bolts and let the eccentric slide. His idea is try to weld the plate down, if that makes me feel better, and he nailed the nuts down with an impact (supposed to be 80 ft/lbs), and if it lets loose again he will pull the eccentric kits off and just align it "like a man" without them.

He said there was no reason to use them, but it makes it easier, but not necessary. And he would have no problem aligning it without them.