axle alignment shop on west coast--UPDATE

[David and Jo-Anna]

We're experiencing uneven wear on our RV tires that I believe are due to an axle alignment problem, so I'd like to take our Big Sky to a reliable shop that can check the axle alignment and correct any alignment problem if they find one. We're currently in central Arizona and will be heading over into southern California next week, and thereafter will be heading up the west coast for the next several weeks.

Anyone have any recommendations on a reliable axle alignment shop in Arizona or on the west coast?

[8.1al]

How about St. George, Utah? There is a very good shop there. The name is Hatch Alignment, I can provide more info if you are interested.

[MAMalody]

If you think you will be in the Tri-city (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland) area of WA, my ministry assistant's husband is a diesel mechanic here locally. I can check with him for a reference. Let me know.

[blarkman]

We took our 2006 3000rk to Salem brake and wheel in Salem oregon,503-581-3214. They have been around since 1946 and did a good job. Took about 3-4 hours and cost me $185. They backed the unit on the rack.
bob

[grooving grandpa]

Just had mine done in San Jose, Calif. at Ross Equipment Repair(Heavy duty alignment). Took 2 hrs. $99 per axial. Watched the mechanic do it. was very impressed. My tires were wearing on the inside tread. One way street, easy to park. Doug Ross 408-292-1464

[HamRad]

David and Jo-Anna,
There is at least one place in Bakersfield that can do the axle thing. Unfortunately I do not remember the name of the company. But I know there are places that do that. Bakersfield has a lot of truck places and some of them have frame and axle straightening places. A quick check of the phone book will probably answer your question.

Dennis

[David and Jo-Anna]

Thanks Dennis,

Bakersfield would really work out well. Do you think this is the place?

Bakersfield Frame & Axle - 1026 Wallace St, Bakersfield

We'll give them a call.

[Desert RVer]

Camping World in Mesa AZ referred us to an RV alignment shop just to the East of S. Mesa Dr on E. Baseline Rd. Don't remeber the name of the business right now but it is on the right side of Baseline when heading East.

[HamRad]

David and Jo-Anna,
Yes! That is the place.

I hope they can fix it for you.

Dennis

[David and Jo-Anna]

Dennis--I made an appointment for Wednesday morning at Bakersfield Frame and Axle. Their price is $187 per axle. If they only have to adjust one axle, the price won't be too bad. If they have to do two axles, their price will be about double the price paid by blarkman and Groovin Grandpa.

General question--does anyone know how often repair shops have to adjust two axles rather than just one?

[grooving grandpa]

If you hit a bump or a crub with one axial, unless you turned 90 degrees you probably hit it with the other axial

[HamRad]

David and Jo-Anna,
Too bad they're so expensive. But they are supposed to be really good.

Good luck.

Dennis

[David and Jo-Anna]

Had the axles on the Big Sky checked today, and they needed realignment. I know nothing about axles except what the repair guy told me, which was that the axles apparently had a "negative camber of one degree," which the shop adjusted to give a "slightly positive camber."

The guy in the shop also reported finding another problem--when he was taking measurements (using the front of the frame as the point of measurement) of various points on the tires and frame, he found that the "hanger" that holds the front end of the springs on the street side of the rig was about 3/8" further rearward than the comparable hanger on the curb side of the rig. He said this would probably have been built this way at the factory and would tend to contribute to uneven wear on the tires.

Since I know nothing about any of this, I don't know if he knows what he's talking about. Does this make sense to anyone? And if so, just what does one do about something like this?

[bob]

David is it the same side that the frame broke , when I looked at the posted pic it seams like it showed a broken spring hangar, if so that could have been the start of your problem , go back and check your pictures