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Need An Alignment After 1,400 Miles?!?!?

C

carrerarod

GUEST
My new AV just hit 1,400 on the odometer and looks like I need an alignment! :8:

I noticed this afternoon that the car started pulling to the right a bit. I thought it might be the road I was on so I went for a long drive on different kinda roads/freeways and it does indeed pull to the right?

Anybody else? You think I can get this covered by the dealer or should I forget about them and go to my favorite local place? :C:
 
The dealer is supposed to give you one free alignment beefore 7500 miles, level the front end if your inclined, not raise it, and drive it hard over some bumpy roads and then show up at the dealer for your freebie, they actually do a pretty decent job from everything I have heard. ;D
 
ok, me stoopid ;D How do I level the front end? Same procedure by playing with the pre-load on the torsion bars?
 
I found my truck listing to the right side at around 9,000 mi. But I drive access only roads quiet frequently.
Only alined my last truck after being t-boned. :7:
Paid alot less for the alignment than I feared. $130 or so. Mabey they took pitty on my purchace price........
 
Checked out some of the previous post and thought that the fabtech 3" spindle lift looked pretty good. I don't know a whole lot about this kinda mod so I asked them for some info, their price and whether they'd do a group purchase if we had the interest. Check out their link. Since we seem to be entitled to a leveling and alignment, maybe my dealer would be receptive to installing the mod and then giving the alignment and leveling for a reduced price. It's probably just wishful thinking, but if the lift price is reasonable then I may just ask them.


http://www.fabtechmotorsports.com/html/chevy2wdc1500suv.html



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PUREAV said:
?Since we seem to be entitled to a leveling and alignment, maybe my dealer would be receptive to installing the mod and then giving the alignment and leveling for a reduced price. ?It's probably just wishful thinking, but if the lift price is reasonable then I may just ask them. ?
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I don't think that the dealer will level it, align yes - most dealers seem to be in denial about GM trucks leaning to one side. ;D
 
:rolleyes: Hey guys.

I'm new here and also not brilliant with automobiles however, I love trucks. I have to admit I'm not a very self-sufficient woman when it comes to automobiles/maintenence, etc. I just bought my Avalanche 3 weeks ago and this is the first Full Size as well as brand new Truck that I have ever owned.

I went from the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab to the Avalanche so very big difference.

Is it normal or a break in period for it to vibrate when turning sharply left or right? I wasn't sure if it might be the tires or something. Mine also seems to pull on several different types of roads. Other people that have driven told me I needed an alignment but haven't taken it in yet for that. I'm dealing with leaking problems right now.

Thanks for any info. ;D
 
marleybaby said:
:rolleyes: ?I just bought my Avalanche 3 weeks ago and this is the first Full Size as well as brand new Truck that I have ever owned.
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Congratulations!?

marleybaby said:
Is it normal or a break in period for it to vibrate when turning sharply left or right? ?I wasn't sure if it might be the tires or something. ?Mine also seems to pull on several different types of roads. ?Other people that have driven told me I needed an alignment but haven't taken it in yet for that.
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A vibration when turning sharp is not normal. Make sure you are not in 4 wheel drive, though. Turning sharp while in 4wd has made my wife tell me our Tahoe was broken on more then one occasion!
Pulling on several different roads could be cause by the 'crown' in the road. All roads have a crown so that water will run off of them and not stand.
Does your truck only pull in one direction?
Does it pull all the time?

marleybaby said:
Thanks for any info. ? ;D
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You are welcome, and welcome aboard!

Ron

 
Yes it only pulls to the left. And you are right i'm sure about the roads. Guys that have driven my truck say it needs an alignment already. But I drive 3 hrs a day just to work. So I'm always driving it. I've noticed it pull to the left and when it pulls it really pulls. However, there's also been times where it is straight as an arrow. So I'm not concerned with that really unless it gets progressively worse.

I'm concerned about the water leaking into my cab which i'm following on the other topic and also the small vibration that I get when turning sharp in the AV. I don't think I have it in 4WD. I have it as it was when I drove it off the lot. It's on Auto, Is this correct?
But it does feel a little rough and bumpy, like a vibration or something when turning sharp either direction.

Thanks so much Ron.
 
I owned a 99' silverado prior to my AV purchase in April. It too had the same vibration/noise when it is in 4WD and Auto at low speeds and sharp turns. Especially in Auto, as it slips in and out of 4WD. This is "normal". It is my opinion that you should leave it in 2wd, and use Auto in wet conditions. I only use 4wd in muddy/icey conditions only. At least it helps in savings at the pump :)
 
marleybaby,
First, welcome to the club. Secondly, auto would NOT be the position you want to be in. I guess the fact that you say auto indicates you have a Z71 ro 4x4? For normal dry-pavement driving, it should be in 2-hi. Auto would be a good setting for extremely wet or snowy conditions where you MAY need 4x4. 4-hi is for dedicated 4x4 usage and should never be used on dry surfaces above 50MPH. 4-lo won't let you get too close to 30MPH so you don't have to be concerned about that. 4-lo also should only be engaged while in neutral with a slight roll in the vehicle (not at a dead stop but not at 5Mph either).

Back to your question. If you do have it in Auto, it is possible in extreme cornering (going to the far right or left) that it locks the front differential due to more wheel spin on one wheel compared to the other. However, this typically feels more like a "push" while turning and the wheels typically hop through the turn. I would suggest driving it in 2-hi and seeing if this corrects the situation you describe.

Jamie
 
(y)

Thank you both so much hymur & Jamie. Yes it is the 4X4. I didn't think I needed the Z71 Offroad package because I'm just a highway commuter and only go offroad for camping and out to snowmobile trails, etc. Don't think I'll be doing major offroading. Although it sounds like a lot of fun, :0:

I'm so glad you told me it shouldn't be in Auto. I would've driven that way for years. I'll put it in 2Hi tonight and see if there's a difference. I'll let u know tomorrow.

Thanks a bunch and have a great night ;)
 
One more thing, Jamie?

I have already put 2300 miles on the AV and have had it in Auto since I drove it off the lot. Is this ok? Or was that bad for it?

Thanks again :2:
 
I must admit that I have not seen the light, on, and for got it was in ?auto. This includes one time at 85+ for an hour or so. The neat thing about auto, I think, is the fact it senses when it's needed verses fulltime 4 wheel drive. I would think it is well broken in, not torn up. As a dealer option all AV's sold at my dealership also have a locking rear axil, which does give a grab, release, grab, release movement in a very tight turn, more than 90 degrees.
I would have the dealership service your truck, check all fluids around 3000 miles. Do not mention being in auto for an excessive amount of time. Any good technician should spot any problems like metal or the like in the fluids......
Would also go for the one free alignment, unless the roads you drive are rutted like a luge, or high winds that blow mine around quite well. Be prepared to not have your truck for most of the day
good luck Alaska-av
 
Thanks, you guys are awesome.

Well you were right. I put it in 2Hi and it doesn't make the vibrations anymore.

I too, have been 85+ for very extended periods of time in Auto. I commute 1 1/2 hrs. to work one way all interstate. That's why I was concerned.

Oh well, at least it doesn't do it now and I know to keep it in 2Hi.

Now onto all the freakin water in my cab and carpet....

cya round :D
 
I had alignment problems with my Av too right from the start. I had it aligned by the dealer at about 5k miles, but the steering wheel still seemed to be off to the left. I had them check it again at 9800 miles, and they claimed it need an adjustment. I will admit that after two alignments, there are no more problems, but it makes you wonder if the truck is going to be that sensitive for the long term?

My dealer never even mentioned anything about charges for this. You paid a lot for this AV, get them to fix it!
 
Thought I would revive this thread I started on June 1st about my alignment problem. I am embarrassed that i finally decided to go to the dealer with it. :-[

I will spare everyone the details as to why it took 5 hours to align it to my satisfaction but I did have a chance to talk to the new Service Director about it and the problem with my NEW VETTE :8:.

he said that alignment problems are becoming quite common on these trucks and the suburbans. Requires some serious adjustment of the caster to get things right. The weird thing is he said the majority of the time he needs to go outside of GM specs to get things straight.

Makes you wonder.... :rolleyes:
 
At my first svc at 3K I complained that the car was out of alignment and pulling to the right. Dealer adjusted it and since then it pulls to the left.

I have returned the Av 2 times since then to have the alignment corrected and I see no noticeable difference. The dealers says the alignment specs are coming back from the outfit they outsource to perfect. Last Svc I had the manager drive it so he would know what I am talking about. He said it felt like the 'toe-in'(?) needed to be adjusted.

Anyway after that last svc he said he took it for a ride and it was straight. I drive it and still have the same issue - pulls to the left.

Not sure what to do next. I've just about given up on it.
 
Marly,


My truck did the same thing when I turned. Mine was in 4 auto and everytime I truned either sharp left or right it would vibrate really bad. I put it in 2 wheel drive and now it's fine. Try that!!!

As far as your allignment, if it's really pulling to the left, I would bring it in. Did you bring it in for your first inspection and oil change at the dealer?. They should fix it for you under the agreement.

Good luck with your new AV

Bill
 
DanTheMan said:
He said it felt like the 'toe-in'(?) needed to be adjusted.
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If the car pulls its usually the caster. But you might also have a radial pull. The first thing they should check is if it's your tires. I had the service manager go for a drive and he felt it pull. They wrote up a workorder under "suspension". Everything was covered udner warranty.

So they changed the tires and it still pulled. Went to the machine about 5 times, trial and error and got it dialed in. They told me that the only way they could get it straight was to go out of specs. ???

Take your right back and have them do it right. Make sure you get a four wheel alignment if you have a 4WD.
 
Thanks. I'll keep tyring. I plan on going back after the next rain (becuase I leak a bit still) and have an issue with front passenger side window control that goes up and not down. Watch those fingers wifey!
 
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