[Jeff Lutzenberger]

Anyone had issues with alignment in a new Transit? Just purchased a 2015 T350 148 high roof, didn't notice during test drive but the vehicle has an alignment issue. Local Ford service dept, says it is the thrust angle. Does not seem common/normal for a new vehicle. Thoughts?

 

[jonsobi]

My toe, camber and thrust angle were all out at new. My Camber is still out, and dropping the sub frame has not yet solved it. See my post "new van didn't get far".

The technical explanation given me last Friday, was that the tolerances are too fine, and not enough adjustment is available.

 

[Jeff Lutzenberger]

I have read your post. What a bummer. Our local dealer can get it in next week for what sounds like an unsophisticated procedure involving come-alongs and hammers (to realign the rear axel). In my industry (software) we would call that a hack! But then again, some great companies were built on a foundation of hacks so I'm optimistic the van will eventually go in a straight line...which is pretty high on my list of priorities for a new vehicle.

 

[jonsobi]

Well said.

 

[alarmist]

Gotta love unibody. Bubba chains your van to the transporter too tight and presto, bent frame. That's my theory anyway.

 

[Jeff Lutzenberger]

That's an awful thought...seems like Ford would be in trouble if their vehicles were that flimsy.

 

[jonsobi]

My faith in Ford's assembly process is higher than my faith in the transportation process.

Only the loadee lad knows what happens on the road.

 

[Byron the Painter]

Gotta love unibody. Bubba chains your van to the transporter too tight and presto, bent frame. That's my theory anyway.

I've examined the whole underside of the vehicle. It would take some severe force to jerk it up. The front chassis is bolted up in at least 20 places. It's not a thick steel frame, of course...but it's beefed up in those areas and pretty substantial.

Damage to that would be visible. The only other thing it could be is a bent lower control arm, but that should have been obvious, too. God only knows...

 

[alarmist]

That's an awful thought...seems like Ford would be in trouble if their vehicles were that flimsy.

It's not just Ford. Half the independents around here don't work on Sprinters because they can't be bothered to educate themselves on proper lifting and end up breaking something.

 

[DG 154 AA]

How far out is the thrust angle? And what problem is it actually causing? Few vehicles are perfect and typically it is only adjustable on vehicles with rear alignment adjustments.

See: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=4

 

[Jeff Lutzenberger]

Pulls to the left

Left Front
- Camber: -0.3 (out of spec)
- Caster: 2.2 (in spec)
- Toe: 0.09 (in spec)

Right Front
- Camber: -0.5 (out of spec)
- Caster: 2.4 (in spec)
- Toe: 0.11 (in spec)

Front Total Toe: 0.2 (in spec)
Front Steer Ahead: -0.01 (in spec)

Left Rear
- Camber: -0.3
- Toe: -0.19

Right Rear
- Camber: -0.2
- Toe: 0.32

Rear Total Toe: 0.12
Rear Thrust Angle: -0.26 (in spec but technician was concerned)

What is the coordinate system for thrust angle? If positive is a clockwise rotation and negative is a counterclockwise then a -0.26 (counterclockwise) thrust angle seems like it would cause the vehicle to veer right not left!?

 

[Byron the Painter]

I went all internet on thrust angle...apparently, without adjustable independent rear suspension then the problem lies with the entire rear end being off, like impact damage...or it could be that the unibody isn't perfectly straight from front to back.

I'm interested to see how you get this squared away.

 

[Jeff Lutzenberger]

Per Ford Technical Support, swapping the tires resolved the issue! Obviously the thrust angle theory was incorrect. -0.26 deg is within spec and seems to me a negative thrust angle would cause a right pull anyway. Giving it a few hundred miles to be sure but it seems to have done the trick. Hard to belive.

The dealer was responsive and apologetic once I elevated my issue via Ford Customer Support and a dealer survey. The owner of the dealership contacted me as soon as he saw the survey and my van was in the shop that same day. Very nice to work with someone who takes such pride in their business! And nice to have my faith restored in my purchase!

 

[Whitedog]

Come-alongs certainly sounds like a hack way of doing things, but that is how it's done away from the factory. I'm not sure how folks think it should be done. You have a solid axle and one side is pushed back from the other so that it's not perpendicular to the centerline of the vehicle. What is done is that the axle u-bolts are loosened on one side and that side is pulled in the correct direction and the bolts retightened. Thrust is checked again and if it's right, then you want to loosen the other side so that it isn't twisted, then retighten the bolts and check again.

 

[Jeff Lutzenberger]

Thanks for the explanation, makes sense. Still a bit unsettling when some mentions come-alongs and pulleys and your brand new $40k plus vehicle

 

[Byron the Painter]

Right on! Easy-peasy is always welcome. We have at least one real good dealership here in Denver, too.

 

[yelnam]

Jeff: which dealer?

 

[alarmist]

Come-alongs certainly sounds like a hack way of doing things, but that is how it's done away from the factory. I'm not sure how folks think it should be done. You have a solid axle and one side is pushed back from the other so that it's not perpendicular to the centerline of the vehicle. What is done is that the axle u-bolts are loosened on one side and that side is pulled in the correct direction and the bolts retightened. Thrust is checked again and if it's right, then you want to loosen the other side so that it isn't twisted, then retighten the bolts and check again.

I wonder if all these alignment horror stories are down to hideously inept dealer mechanics.