Front End Alignment

[dreamchasers]

I would like to have my front end alignment checked. Does anyone know where I can get this done in Texas, excluding the Prevost Fort Worth facility?

Does anyone have any experience with Prevost Jacksonville and front end alignments?


Hector

[grross]

Over the years I have used prevost(jacksonville). They do excellant alignment work...try their all wheel computer alignment. Last year the cost was $381.

[phorner]

If you're headed to Florida for an alignment, Josam in Orlando is one of the best there is. They are recognized as frame and alignment specialists worldwide.

They're located at 8849 Exchange Drive in Orlando and can be reached at 407-438-7020.

[Petervs]

Alignments on a Prevost are interesting. There is not much that is adjustable.

Check the Prevost website maintenance manual for details.

The drive axle is not adjustable at all. The tag can only be adjusted by replacing the links with different length rods, and this is done to make it parallel with the drive axle. It comes from the factory installed correctly, so it is hard to imagine any of this changing over time.

The front axle, on the pre independent front suspension models anyway, only the toe in can be changed by lengthening or shortening the tie rod by adjusting the screw thread. Camber is not adjustable at all. Caster can be changed if you swap the wishbone links for longer or shorter. Prevost sells these in 3 lengths, standard, one a little shorter than standard , and one a little longer than standard.

The steering wheel can be rotated on the splined shaft to make it straight when the bus is going straight.

So when it comes to alignment, there is not much point spending hundreds of dollars for an all axle alignment, unless there is a serious reason to suspect something is wrong. It would be a good idea to crawl around under there and inspect the rubber bushings in the linkages, if these are worn, looseness may occur that would affecttracking. Replacing the rubber is easy if necessary.

[dreamchasers]

Peter,

I have noticed that on my right front tire, the outside edge is showing more wear than the inside. The left front tire appears normal. Concerning the rubber cups covering the tie rod end, both are cracked and need replacement.

Any tips on how to replace the rubber is appreciated. Will I need to replace the entire tire rod end?

I have not tested the tire rod ends for looseness. I process would to put the coach on jacks, deflate the air bags, check for looseness with a pry bar. Am I missing anything?


Hector

[Joe Cannarozzi]

When I have had my truck and bus done (both were straight axles) one way they adjust them if need be is they bend them.

I had the outer shoulder on the left tire wearing off when we got the bus. They cranked it down tight to the alignment jig and bent it back to correct with a great big porta-power.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

That sounds like too much toe in Hector. I think you can verify that yourself by getting the data from the manual. I can look up the information and fax it to you if you cannot get it on line. A tape measure and two large carpenter's squares is about all you need.

I suggest you get the tire with wear on the drive axle. That will straighten it out.

[jelmore]

Alignments on a Prevost are interesting. There is not much that is adjustable.

Peter, mine is a 1999 chassis. Maybe it's different than yours?

A year ago, had to have a kingpin and the upper A arm bushings replaced. They said an alignment had to be done. The printout of the alignment shows adjustments to the front camber, caster, toe and set back. For the drives ... camber, toe and thrust angle. For the tag ... camber, toe, scrub angle and set back. I don't know what most of those are, but it cost $625 in Nashville.

[Loc]

Hector,

Call Greg Fischer at Fischer's Diesel Service in Pasadena. I have had both buses aligned by Greg and he does great work. He has a Josam laser alignment system. His number is 281.487.7904.

Loc

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

Hector I second what Loc just said. I took our bus in to Fischers and he aligned it. Mine was not out of alignment much to begin with, but had it done anyway.

Fischers is off the Beltway 8 in Pasadena. http://www.fischersdieselservice.com/

Gary S.

[Petervs]

Hector and Jim,

To respond to your comments, my point was that you can have your bus taken to an alignment place, and they can get all the measurements as you have described, but if most of those are not adjustable ( except by bending as Jon noted....but I think I would avoid that!) then you are just spending money to be told data that is irrelevant. You can come to me at the next POG and for $400 I will tell you how many tires are on your bus and what color it is!

My coach is a 94, it has the solid beam axle in front. I believe in 1999 or 2000 they switched to IFS Independent Front Suspension. With that, there are more things to adjust than the solid axle, and many more rubber bushings to wear out.

If the bushings need replacing, they are cheaply available from Prevost, and if you remove the offending link, you then press out the old one and press in the new one and reinstall. You need a little soapy water and a press or a sledge hammer.