Front end alignment July 06, 2016, 07:34:12 pm Any recommendations for a shop in the Seattle Everett area to do front end alignment? I want to be sure the rig is in alignment before looking at sway bars, etc. Thanks,Ian"Silver Fox", 27MB, Seattle
Re: Front end alignment Reply #1 – July 07, 2016, 11:32:24 am Can't help you on a shop in Seattle, but I will share a warning of sorts. There is a part that Ford installs in the front end that is intended to be removed and replaced after whatever is built on the chassis. [Ford has no idea what the weight will be on the front end] I THINK the part is called a concentric. Maybe someone with FE knowledge will ring in here.Anyway, it is not possible to get the alignment right with the temp part in place. I went through several alignments before a Bear shop pointed it out to me. That ended abnormal tire tread wear.I mentioned this experience to a friend who was going through tires. He found the same part on his Chevy chassis and that ended his tire wear problems.Maybe there is a Bear branded shop in Seattle?
Re: Front end alignment Reply #2 – July 07, 2016, 11:49:17 am You may have already thought of this, but highly recommended Henderson's is a day's drive south, in Springfield OR. They will let you hook up power and water and stay on their lot as long as the work takes. They are ethical, and experienced with motor homes and Lazy Daze. They will do their best to upsell, but if you decline any more than a simple alignment they will do the work professionally, expecting to build a long term relationship.
Re: Front end alignment Reply #3 – July 07, 2016, 12:30:43 pm I am also looking in the Seattle/Tacoma for my 98 26MB, we have come back from a 2K miles trip from Idaho and we both notice that there is a slight pull to the center of the road or left. I would like to take care of it before wear begins to show up. Karen~Liam
Re: Front end alignment Reply #4 – July 07, 2016, 12:35:49 pm "Henderson's is a day's drive south, in Springfield OR"Has Henderson's opened a 2nd shop, one that I do not know about??? I always visited them in Grants Pass OR. In fact I have an appointment there for the 12th of August.Steve S.Lazy Bones & Cedar
Re: Front end alignment Reply #5 – July 07, 2016, 12:42:10 pm I talked with both our local Ford dealer and Roy Robinson RV/Subaru/etc in Marysville. The Ford dealer had no idea as to who could do an alignment, Robinson referred me to Mount Vernon Frame and Axle. I talked with them, their base price is $89.95. Am waiting to see if I get any comments about them. I prefer Henderson's, but i thought they were in Grants Pass which is a good 2 days south of us. However, received a post from Paul who said they were in Springfield Oregon, which could be quite doable for us on our return from the Northwest LD rondy in Joseph Oregon. Will check this out.Ian, 27MB "Silver Fox" Seattle
Re: Front end alignment Reply #6 – July 07, 2016, 12:47:14 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - July 07, 2016, 12:35:49 pm"Henderson's is a day's drive south, in Springfield OR"Has Henderson's opened a 2nd shop, one that I do not know about??? I always visited them in Grants Pass OR. In fact I have an appointment there for the 12th of August.Steve S.Lazy Bones & CedarThey are still in Grants Pass.Jim
Re: Front end alignment Reply #7 – July 07, 2016, 01:10:30 pm Paul may be thinking of AM Solar, which is in Springfield, OR.
Re: Front end alignment Reply #8 – July 07, 2016, 02:34:52 pm Yes, sorry all, I had AM Solar in mind, Henderson's is indeed Grants Pass. We visited both places on the same trip. I had work done at Henderson's, but after paying that bill, decided to postpone the solar. There is a word for this kind of slip, but for the life of me I can't recollect...
Re: Front end alignment Reply #9 – July 07, 2016, 02:37:04 pm C R S !!!Virtual hugs,Judie*************************************
Re: Front end alignment Reply #10 – July 07, 2016, 09:26:54 pm Hi Ian,Have you thought of Eric's RV in Squim, WA? Here is their website Eric's RV Performance Intro page. I have not used them as I don't have any handling problems but they were highly recommended to me by other LD owners. Not in Seattle but closer than OR. I will also be going to the Northwest LD rondy in Joseph, Oregon. See you there.Kevin
Re: Front end alignment Reply #11 – July 07, 2016, 11:17:16 pm Kevin,I think Mount Vernon is closer for us, want to get an alignment before we take off for Montana in the fall.Will see you in Joseph!Ian & Jean 27Mb, Seattle
Re: Front end alignment Reply #12 – July 08, 2016, 09:05:17 am Brazel's in Centralia? Home | Brazel's RV
Re: Front end alignment Reply #13 – July 08, 2016, 09:18:35 am We are based in Sequim. Have been into Eric's a few times, but never had work done there. They are a general RV shop, I would not take chassis work there, based on my look around of the shop. When I need work done on the Ford bits I go to Port Angeles to Price Ford. A neighbor did use them, for coach work, and was not pleased with the work done. Others have had good things to say. As always, YMMV : {)>
Re: Front end alignment Reply #14 – July 08, 2016, 01:56:04 pm Ian, I had my front end aligned here in Bellevue some years ago by a Les Schwab Tire Center that was recommended by, I think, my auto repair place. I don't know anything about the real quality of their work but I've never had any visible signs that my front end is out of kilter since then. Mine is a '95 22-footer that you looked at in Factoria when you were exploring buying a LD, you might remember. ~ Chuck
Re: Front end alignment Reply #15 – July 08, 2016, 06:08:02 pm Quote from: Ian & Jean - July 06, 2016, 07:34:12 pmAny recommendations for a shop in the Seattle Everett area to do front end alignment? I want to be sure the rig is in alignment before looking at sway bars, etc. While having the alignment checked on an alignment rack is the most accurate way of accessing the alignment, a visual and manual examine of the front tires can reveal a lot. Running your hand across the tread, it should feel smooth, with no bumps or feathering. The wear should look even across the tread. A tread depth gauge is a handy device for checking the wear across the tread. It can also help indicate over and under inflation and be an aid in when to rotate tires.Amazon.com: STEELMAN 97831 Color Coded Tread Depth Gauge: AutomotiveThe most common alignment problem, with the twin-I-bean suspension is changes in toe ( front tires point inward or outward). As the front coil springs slowly sink, as weight is added or from age, the toe increases. This condition is usually the cause of feathering of the edges of the front tires.Setting the toe is within the range of an advanced shade tree mechanic.Larryfdsa As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
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