2018 Power Wagon Caster Bolt/Cam Position

[Thomas Obieglo]

Are the caster adjustment bolts/cams supposed to be close to the same position?

I've read the Thuren specs and they indicate the cams should be no further than 1 notch apart. However, I don't have Thuren coils or Fox shocks, rather ... a 2" leveling kit with coil spacers, radius arm drop brackets, adjustable track bar, sway bar drop brackets and shock extension brackets.

I just brought the vehicle home from an alignment and I noticed 2 things: 1) the front driver's side is 1/2" lower than the passenger side and 2) the caster cams are 180 degrees different. Driver side is pointing to 12:00 and the passenger side to 6:00 o'clock.

That just doesn't seem right. Would appreciate some feedback.

2018 Power Wagon

 

[smurfs_of_war]

Are the caster adjustment bolts/cams supposed to be close to the same position?

I've read the Thuren specs and they indicate the cams should be no further than 1 notch apart. However, I don't have Thuren coils or Fox shocks, rather ... a 2" leveling kit with coil spacers, radius arm drop brackets, adjustable track bar, sway bar drop brackets and shock extension brackets.

I just brought the vehicle home from an alignment and I noticed 2 things: 1) the front driver's side is 1/2" lower than the passenger side and 2) the caster cams are 180 degrees different. Driver side is pointing to 12:00 and the passenger side to 6:00 o'clock.

That just doesn't seem right. Would appreciate some feedback.

2018 Power Wagon

They should not be that far apart. Get them adjusted. The Thuren specs fall within spec for Ram (according to my dealer) so they shouldn't have issue with it.

Sent from my VOG-L04 using Tapatalk

 

[retired]

what does the alignment sheet look like. I would go by what the numbers on the sheet are vs what the bolts are.

 

[Thomas Obieglo]

what does the alignment sheet look like. I would go by what the numbers on the sheet are vs what the bolts are.

According to the shop and Thuren, the OEM specs for caster are between +3.7 to + 4.5. The first time I took my truck to the shop for an alignment they said it was sitting at 6.61 (drivers side) and 7.03 (passenger), and that they could not get it anywhere close to the OEM specs. The caster cams where about 2 notches apart after the first alignment.

I took the truck back yesterday because it had a slight pull to the right and I'm not sure where it's sitting at now. I just noticed the huge difference in cam positions, and the 1/2" difference in height.

It drives straight... but I'm not comfortable with the settings being that far apart... not after everything I've read and that fact that both cams were identical when the truck was stock. I don't see a reason for it being that different now.

 

[retired]

they should give you a print out. I think you might want to find a different alignment shop....

 

[SeppW]

The alignment shop didn't know what they were doing. They are way out. Take it back and have them do it right or follow Thuren's guide for alignment and handling in his tech section. Had they just set the toe to zero and left the caster alone, you would have been okay.

As you found out, when the caster is out of whack the truck leans one side or the other. If you can recall where they were when stock, then following the guide reset them to that, set the toe to zero and you should be good to go or find a good alignment shop that specializes in 4WD alignments, specifically Ram HD trucks. I'm not sure I'd even trust a dealer unless I knew their truck techs were at the top of the game.

 

[Thomas Obieglo]

The alignment shop didn't know what they were doing. They are way out. Take it back and have them do it right or follow Thuren's guide for alignment and handling in his tech section. Had they just set the toe to zero and left the caster alone, you would have been okay.

As you found out, when the caster is out of whack the truck leans one side or the other. If you can recall where they were when stock, then following the guide reset them to that, set the toe to zero and you should be good to go or find a good alignment shop that specializes in 4WD alignments, specifically Ram HD trucks. I'm not sure I'd even trust a dealer unless I knew their truck techs were at the top of the game.

I agree... I don't think they knew what they were doing.... and for that reason I'm not taking it back a 3rd time. I'm going to try a privately owned (vs chain) shop tomorrow.. see what they know before I commit. Otherwise I'll bite the bullet and try the stealership I've had some success with in the past.

 

[crazy jerry]

level spacer and shocks extenders seems like a disgraceful thing to do to the powerwagon name. why not do it right and leave all that leveling crap for soy boys at the mall in their ford super duty