Alignment on 2019 3500 Laramie 4x4 Dually

[smoore1104]

My truck as the title states is a 2019 3500 4x4 Dually. It just crossed over 30k miles. I noticed that the drivers front tire was wearing on the outside edge. Brought it to the dealer and they did an alignment on it. When paying for it, I asked them for the print out of Before and After. I received a screen shot from the mechanic of the after. I spoke with the mechanic as I noticed the front was all green but noticed that the thrust Angle was -0.43 Degrees. I also noticed that the photo of the alignment app showed only 4 wheels not 6 but perhaps that is correct for that application - I just don't know. I asked why that was. He stated that the steering wheel is straight and that the rear of the RAM Dually is NOT ADJUSTABLE. Pretty much telling me to not worry about it. The front Camber is in the green, the Toe is in the green and looks like there is nothing for the caster.

Now I am still waiting for the photo showing the before because when I spoke with the mechanic he did say that the front end really didn't need much - I am wondering if I needed an alignment at all. He also mentioned that all Rams run the outside edges of the steer tires pretty hard and that this is known.

 

[RedneckHippy]

I have alway had best luck with getting as close to 0 total toe as possible with these rams. I am on my third HD ram. I do my own alignment at home using a tape measure because alignment shops suck at getting these trucks right. Ignore camber, nothing worth doing there. Caster would be nice to know. Go to the thuren site and find the document on alignment, read that and it will help a lot.

 

[RandomRam]

4 wheel alignment is a waste of money on these trucks. Outside edge wear is an indicator of too much toe in. 0 or as close to it as possible.

 

[smoore1104]

I have alway had best luck with getting as close to 0 total toe as possible with these rams. I am on my third HD ram. I do my own alignment at home using a tape measure because alignment shops suck at getting these trucks right. Ignore camber, nothing worth doing there. Caster would be nice to know. Go to the thuren site and find the document on alignment, read that and it will help a lot.

Thanks - I'll take a look at that site. Waiting on the dealer to provide me with the "before" as I am guessing it may not have even needed the alignment.

 

[smoore1104]

4 wheel alignment is a waste of money on these trucks. Outside edge wear is an indicator of too much toe in. 0 or as close to it as possible.

Ah - gotcha! I mentioned to the dealer toe in and that is why they did the front alignment (I guess otherwise how would you measure?). The tech mentioned that all dually trucks have outer edge wear and there isn't anything you can do about it. If that was the case - why did he bother with the alignment other than to take $130 bucks from me. lol!

 

[RedneckHippy]

If I am reading your report right you have a -.24 total toe, meaning you would need to rotate the sleeve on your tie rod to push the front of your tire apart relative to each other to fix it. The factory specs are set that way to help the vehicle track better, but it chews up tires because when you are driving straight both tires are aimed slightly towards the center of the front of the truck and chewing up the leading edge (the outside edge) of your tire. At 0 total toe both tires would be pointed dead ahead and you shouldn’t have this problem.

 

[RandomRam]

Ah - gotcha! I mentioned to the dealer toe in and that is why they did the front alignment (I guess otherwise how would you measure?). The tech mentioned that all dually trucks have outer edge wear and there isn't anything you can do about it. If that was the case - why did he bother with the alignment other than to take $130 bucks from me. lol!

You can set toe yourself if you’re mechanically inclined. Basically just measuring distance between the center line of the tires at front and back. Front of the tire narrow than the back of the tire is toe in, front wider is toe out. Whenever I get around to doing mine I am going to use a couple 2x4s and plumb bobs.

Alternatively a good alignment guy could probably do it cheap. There is no camber adjustment on these trucks. If the truck is driving fine no reason to adjust caster.

 

[Lilbxl]

I had my truck aligned to 0 toe and drove completely different...it drove straight lol. Much better driving experience and will not eat tires. Mine was a 2500 though. 0-.03 is what you are shooting for.