SRT8 Alignment

[topfuel67]

I have 24,000 miles on my 06 300C SRT8 and this has been by far the best car I've ever owned for holding a nice straight perfect alignment. My front RSAs look like they have at least 50-60% life left. In the last few weeks I'm starting to feel a little bit of a pull to the left. I found an alignment shop with the latest computer laser alignment system. The guy running the shop was really cool. He pulled out the book and looked up the specs on my car and told me that these cars cannot be adjusted very easily. You have to replace the arms, bushings or put in shims. He said his daughter has a Mercedes and is pretty much the same suspension. He looked at my car and said he doubts its out since I have never hit anything and my rims are perfect.
Is this true that there are no adjustments on our cars without replacing or shimming? Will the dealer cover an alignment under warranty with this many miles? I did a search on alignments and saw another member got new tires and alignment on warranty (not sure how many miles though)...

[RMC_SS_LDO]

I can't help much other than there was a TSB out recently that updated the alignment specs so if your shop can do it (regardless of how much is involved) be sure they are using the updated specs.

http://www.wkjeeps.com/misc/LX/TSB/TSB_0200407.pdf

Allen

[stealthsrt8]

i get my front end aligned every year. a good precaution since tires are expensive. take your car to the dealer and they can align it. print off the TSB from above and have it with you. since this TSB has been out a while, the dealer should be updated, but have it just in case. ask for the calibration report so you can see what, if anything, was out of spec.

[GEN XER]

Mine was pulling left. Got it realigned under warranty. I had less than 12 months and less than 12k miles. It took 2 or 3 visits and a request to use another tech before they got the steering wheel centered.

[willi]

Originally Posted by topfuel67

I have 24,000 miles on my 06 300C SRT8 and this has been by far the best car I've ever owned for holding a nice straight perfect alignment. My front RSAs look like they have at least 50-60% life left. In the last few weeks I'm starting to feel a little bit of a pull to the left. I found an alignment shop with the latest computer laser alignment system. The guy running the shop was really cool. He pulled out the book and looked up the specs on my car and told me that these cars cannot be adjusted very easily. You have to replace the arms, bushings or put in shims. He said his daughter has a Mercedes and is pretty much the same suspension. He looked at my car and said he doubts its out since I have never hit anything and my rims are perfect.
Is this true that there are no adjustments on our cars without replacing or shimming? Will the dealer cover an alignment under warranty with this many miles? I did a search on alignments and saw another member got new tires and alignment on warranty (not sure how many miles though)...

Is this the same guy that said it was the lastest laser aligner. If it was find a new shop. Lasers try digital cameras that take live readings as measurements are being taken from adjustments being made. Hunter Alignment Systems Make sure they have a ton of experience aligning vehicles or are using a Hunter 611 or newer Camera based system. A circus monkey can do a good alignment on the newer Hunter stuff. It tells you what tools and or kits to use as well as which way to move bolts. (so I used to be the Hunter alignment system sales rep in my area and I can turn out a dang good alignment also) If a Tech does not know his aligner does not use Lasers and is camera based or uses the older style electronic sensors he is not a tech I would allow under the front of my car. Ask him if he is going to do a 4 wheel alignment and if he hangs the rear sensors on trucks (you have to have a rear thrust angle to get your front end aligned or the back-end will push the vehicle). Always a good couple of questions to see if he is knowledgeable.

****disclaimer, years and years and years ago I believe Hunter built a laser aligner, it was on the market for a very short time do to it being a horrible piece of technology***

[willi]

Originally Posted by GEN XER

Mine was pulling left. Got it realigned under warranty. I had less than 12 months and less than 12k miles. It took 2 or 3 visits and a request to use another tech before they got the steering wheel centered.

Steering wheel straightening is super simple on Hunter machines, It is one of the very first things you do as you begin measurements and adjustments should be made from there. They need to go back to Alignment school if the can not get this right. They are missing fundamental steps like using the brake lock or steering wheel holder(on cars that require these devices)

(off soap box about shotty alignments and front end folks)

[WildTurkey]

I started to experience vibration in my steering wheel around 70MPH+. I took my SRT8 to the dealer and referenced the Alignment TSB. They checked my alignment, said it was way OFF and that I must of hit something.

Good News - the alignment fixed the vibration.

Bad News - since they said I hit something, they would not cover it under warranty.