Looking for a GREAT alignment shop - Somewhere in ID, WA, OR, WY, MT, ND, SD

[Brian Diehl]

I'm going to be taking my family on a trip to the Oregon coast in September.  I need to find a good alignment shop along the way.

Here is the problem:  I've had a constant pull to the right in my bus since day one.  I have replaced all bushings, shocks, and the driver's side king pin.  I have had a toe in alignment done as well.  The tie rod ends are in excellent shape also.  I've rotated tires, replaced rims, and completely replaced tires on all axles during my ownership.  I have not noticed any uneven tire wear either on the fronts or tags.  The problem still exists.  The pull is such that if I drive on the opposite crown of the road (the fast lane) the pull evens out against the opposite crown almost exactly to the point I don't need to provide any correction.  However, I'm still providing some left steering correction even on a left angled crown.  

Our locally recommended alignment shop is unable to tell me why it still pulls to the right.  

So, can anyone recommend a really good shop somewhere in these states I could book an appt. with to get this problem diagnosed?

[John316]

Somebody will recommend that alignment shop up in Eugene, OR. I have heard good things about them.

JohnEd might know. Clifford for sure does, and I could probably dig up the name of the place.

I have heard that they are the best....but I don't know.

FWIW

God bless,

John

[belfert]

Brian, did you try Precision Frame in Elk River?

[Busted Knuckle]

I'm guessing you've already asked JD?
  BK 

[Sean]

Somebody will recommend that alignment shop up in Eugene, OR. I have heard good things about them.

That would be Kaiser, and that's where I'd go if I was going to be near Eugene.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

[JohnEd]

It is Kaiser and Dick Kaiser has a rep that extends all the way to Clifford.  Dick was in semi retirement for a year cause his wife had terminal cancer.  He is back at work as I understand it.

Eugene is only an hours drive from the coast you will be traveling down.  Dick will run elect out to your bus if you stay over night.  I am sure there are other reputable shops along your route.....Kaiser Brake and Alignment in Eugene Or is just the only one I know of.  Maybe Clifford can give you alternative suggestions.

That pulling problem has turned out to be in the rear end suspension/alignment with a few folks I have heard tell the tale.  I am one!

good luck,

John

[wildbob24]

Brian,

JE touched on it. I would definitely check all the radius rod bushings in the rear. If they're worn, they will make the bus handle and steer funny.

Bob

[bevans6]

I second the advice to check out the back of the bus.  On an MCI like mine, about the only things that are actually adjustable is the toe in, all the rest is set in the axle.  Castor is most known for causing a pull, MCI puts unequal camber on the front, side to side, to accommodate the crown in the road, but you can't adjust it, really.  I did have an issue with centering of the steering box that cleared up some pulling and wandering issues for me when I fixed it.  Sheppard steering box, the drag link was well too long (almost an inch too long) so when driving straight the steering box was well off center.  You have to pop one of the drag link ball joints off (at the steering knuckle is easiest), set the wheels dead straight, center the steering box per the manual (witness line on the pitman arm shaft at 90 degrees to the input shaft) and make the drag link length such that the ball joint slips into  the steering arm on the knuckle perfectly.  At least that's how I did it   

Brian

[Brian Diehl]

Sorry all, I should have been more specific.  All radius rod bushings - front and back - have been replaced.

Yes, JD recommended the shop I went to.

No, I did not try Precision Frame in Elk River.  I had not heard of them.  What has your experience with them been?

[bevans6]

Brian, I have heard that switching the tires side to side at the front can help, never tried it but not hard to do...  Also, I was honestly amazed at the difference when I centred the steering box. 

Brian

[Brian Diehl]

Brian, I have heard that switching the tires side to side at the front can help, never tried it but not hard to do...  Also, I was honestly amazed at the difference when I centred the steering box. 

Brian

Thanks Brian.  Yes, I have done the swap multiple times.  No difference.

[JohnEd]

Brian,

I suggest you try one of the shops that are on your way.  Then you can eval the effectiveness of their work. If you still have the problem you can ask Kaiser for some sort of guaranty of success before having them take their shot.  Call before hand and talk to "Dick Kaiser" personally.  Mention the people that have recommended him and that you got his name from us and that might get you in earlier but the quality of work wont change as that is always high.

Yours is the typical Kaiser folk lore......everybody else failed many times and Dick fixed it.  Common story.  Should he fail that would be news worthy of print as well.

Good luck

John

[belfert]

No, I did not try Precision Frame in Elk River.  I had not heard of them.  What has your experience with them been?

They weren't able to fix my wandering issues, but they checked things nobody else did.  I had them send my steering gear out for rebuild and that helped somewhat.

These guys are well known in the RV world for fixing steering issues.  They even travel all over to big RV rallies to fix problems on site.

[Jerry W Campbell]

A few years back I was told I needed new kingpins. When I finally got it together to have the job done I tried to contact the person that told me I needed the kingpins but he was out of business. I called Kaiser in Eugene, Or. and told them I needed new kinkpins so they ordered them and made me an appointment. When I got there they told me I didn't need the kingpins I just needed a proper alignment. That was a couple years ago.
 Jerry

[luvrbus]

You will never regret going to Dick Kaiser from 1996 to 2000 that where all the Prevost converters sent theirs to fix the front end problems with the indenpent front suspension seen those in there as far away as Florida it will be right when it leaves all 3 axles 


good luck