Hello,

My wife and I bought a 2008 Grand Caravan a week ago from a small dealer lot. I wasn't too thrilled with buying a minivan but the wife wanted one and I'm a Dodge guy, but anyways.. the only problem with the van was that it would shake at 55mph and would pull really bad to the left and it needed new tires.

So I went to Firestone to buy a new set of tires and they told me that they do free alignment checks. I figured that no matter what, my alignment check would comeback that I needed an alignment because they're in the business of sales.

After the several hour wait I was told that they couldn't do an alignment because the van needed $1100 worth of suspension work to replace two struts.

The readings of the alignment were as follows:

Front

Camber: Left: 0.2 Right: 0.3 (which they said was due to bad struts)
Cross Camber: -0.1
Caster: Left: 2.5 Right: 2.4
Cross Caster: 0.1
SAI: Left: 12.2 Right: 11.8
Cross SAI: 0.4
Toe: Left: -0.01 Right: -0.02
Total Toe: -0.03

Rear

Camber: Left: -0.1 Right: -0.2
Cross Camber: 0.1
Toe: Left: 0.08 Right: 0.09
Total Toe: 0.17
Thrust Angle: 0.00

Are these readings normal? Are they "okay" or is Firestone trying to screw me? (It wouldn't be the first time they've tried.)

When I look at their alignment paperwork it says the test was performed for a 2012-2015 Dodge Ram Van, so maybe their specs were out of order?

Can anyone help? I'd rather not blow $1100 if I don't have to.

Thanks.

 

Post the actual alignment report showing the specs. Buying a used car is always a gamble. You probably should have had it looked at by an independent mechanic before purchase. Buyer beware is what I was always taught. What exactly are they proposing to replace for $1100?

 

I posted pretty much exactly what it says, I'm not home now so will have to post it later.

I usually don't buy vehicles without a thorough check but this one is extremely clean with relatively low miles and to date, this is the only issue.

The estimate was to replace the struts on both front sides and labor. The labor was roughly $400, the parts were about $300 each and an $89 alignment.

 

What you posted is the alignment results. Not the specs they are comparing it to.

 

I wasn't provided with those.

 

They should have provided it. Go back and ask to see the specs. Otherwise who knows.

 

Here are the specs.




02 - Front Suspension/Wheel Alignment/Specifications

SPECIFICATIONS





NOTE: All specifications are given in degrees.





NOTE: All wheel alignments are to be set at curb height. (Refer to 02 - Front Suspension/Wheel Alignment - Standard Procedure)








FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT


PREFERRED SETTING


ACCEPTABLE RANGE


CAMBER - LEFT −0.10° −0.50° to +0.75°
CAMBER - RIGHT −0.40° −0.80° to +0.45°
Cross-Camber (Maximum side-to-side difference) +0.30° −0.35° to +0.80°
CASTER* +2.50° +1.50° to +3.50°
Cross-Caster (Maximum side-to-side difference) 0.00° −0.75° to +0.75°
TOTAL TOE** +0.26° +0.06° to +0.46°
Notes:
* For reference only. These are non-adjustable angles.
** TOTAL TOE is the sum of both left and right wheel toe settings. TOTAL TOE should be equally split between each front wheel to ensure the steering wheel is centered after setting toe. Positive toe is toe-in and negative toe is toe-out








REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT


PREFERRED SETTING


ACCEPTABLE RANGE


CAMBER* −0.06° −0.46° to +0.34°
Cross-Camber (Maximum side-to-side difference) 0.00° −0.25° to +0.25°
TOTAL TOE* +0.10° −0.15° to +0.35°
THRUST ANGLE 0.00° −0.30° to +0.30°
Notes:
* For reference only. These are non-adjustable angles.

Yes you are within range.