-
Three Axle Alignment
On Tuesday I had a three axle alignment done at Prevost / Nashville because I noticed the beginning of unusual tire wear on the LH front tire on my coach after changing a tie rod that had two bad ends.
The first step is a comprehensive inspection of the components to insure everything is mechanically sound. In the inspection the drag link was found to have some issues so the ends of it were replaced prior to the start of the alighment. Everything else, bushings on radius rods, A arm bushings, ball joints, rod ends, and even the ride height were all in good shape.
The coach was found to be out of range slightly on the front axle toe in. When the alignment was complete all settings were brought within range, and more precisely were brought into the middle of the range as close as possible. Kyle who did the work, and Andrew his mentor take pride in that they are not satisfied with being in the allowable range, they want to be as near as possible to perfect. If driving is any indication I am sure they are correct when they claim they are the best alingment guys in the Prevost organization. The alignment guys from the other service centers are more than welcome to question their claim.
The only disappointing part of the entire process is Prevost seems mighty proud of their work and charged the cost of the alignment for the labor to replace the drag link ends. In other words the alignment is $620 which is extremely reasonable given the time it takes and the cost of equipment used. But to charge $625 for the labor to replace drag link ends (a 2 hour job at most) is off the wall. I will report back if this is an error, but if they insist it is the correct billing I would strongly suggest if you plan on having an alignment done, just prior to having Prevost do the work, have another shop with realistic rates replace any parts as needed.
-
34 Replies
-
I feel your pain.
If you had showed up at Prevost for that job then probably that labor charge would be in-line. Taking into account the process to do only drag link replacements.
Finding a problem while inspecting prior to alignment is necessary to correctly assure all suspension components are sound I believe reflects an accurate alignment.
Had the drag link ends not been replaced the accurate alignment would have never happened.
I think your labor rate should reflect only the time it took to R&R drag link ends.
This is only my opinion ….I was not there to watch.
AL
-
We also experienced a burning desire for a perfect alignment at Prevost Jacksonville last January. First they found tie rod ends that were loose and replaced all three (they were actually laying on the floor when the coach was first driven in, tech told me almost every coach that comes in for an alignment has a problem with them). We were out of range (as I recall) on front toe and drive axle. They were able to bring the coach within “range”, but that wasn’t good enough for the lead tech, he told me “we can do better than that”.
I appreciate that they take pride in their work.
Jon: Did you get before and after printouts from the laser alignment system? I strongly encourage everyone to do that.
-
If you had showed up at Prevost for that job then probably that labor charge would be in-line. Taking into account the process to do only drag link replacements.
BA – He was at Prevost, are you in the squeezins?
-
He was driving around with his OTR air on so cold, he got brain freeze or something….
-
Dick,
I have the prior and current readings. At just over 100,000 miles it is incoinceivable to me that suspension components should be so worn as to need replacement.
Makes me wonder if the company that makes the OEM charge air coolers or Ramco mirrors has branched out to make tie rod ends.
-
Drive the bus more they don’t seem to wear out as fast ,as when they sit around , my new toad
It has a Cummings 5″9 in it it’s great
-
Peter, Now that is too cool! What the heck is it??
-
It’s a 1938 dodge one ton truck then we put a 2003 dodge truck frame and motor and all under it and built the deck it has 22.5 rubber on it ,it’s the coolest thing I have ever drove
-
We clear coated the hole truck so it would stay like that
-
If any of you guys are out west I can highly reccomend Straight Line suspension in Phoenix. Less than half the cost of Prevost for an alignment and they can do all the front end work as well. They do all the Prevosts for All Aboard and Taylor Tours.
-
Peter, that is way cool! Can anybody say Hot Rod Power Tour rat rod? What is the crank thingie for on the drivers side?
-
Looks like the crank thingie holds down that draggin’ waggon on the back.
While we are asking questions…I want to know how much black smoke those twin stacks belch when you open that, I am guessing, way over pressured pump to the cylinders?
3F
-
It’s just for looks , the black smoke is lots but fun , less trouble with it than a Prevost
-
Jon……….
I had the same kinda deal at Goodlettesville………….
New front brake pads/ adjust my koni shocks to hold a Marathon/ tried to install centramatics………
I had the wrong centramatics…..only tried one and it would have rubbed the brake caliphers so no go.
I was charged $113 (1 hour) for the centramatic install……when I balked I was told “we had to pull the wheels to do the install”……??
My reply………..you pulled the wheels to do the brakes/ then just slipped the balancer on and off…a minute and a half, maybe……
BTW……when brakes were mentioned, I was told the cost would be $818 —–just front pads….eh??
After a short ‘not no, but hell no’……….it was agreed that $414 or so would be better/ best.
I have decided not to return my coach to that facility……….
too bad……Kyle is a very concientious worker……..and it shows……
The pricing boss is in another world…….
(ymmv)
I’ve been told to try Regal Phoenix in Elkhart, Indiana………anyone know of them?
………..Ol’Ben
-
I am awaiting a corrected invoice. The problem with mine was a clerical error that resulted in double billing for the alignment. There was no argument and it was being fixed before I called.
Log in to reply.