Front End Alignment

[MyPrevost]

I’m looking to have my front end alignment checked and I’m wondering if anyone knows of a place in Texas that offers this service, other than the Prevost facility in Fort Worth. Also, has anyone had any experience with front end alignments at Prevost Jacksonville?

Thanks,
Hector

[MyPrevost]

Over the years I have used prevost(jacksonville). They do excellant alignment work…try their all wheel computer alignment. Last year the cost was $381.

[MyPrevost]

If you’re heading to Florida for an alignment, consider checking out Josam in Orlando. They’re known as one of the best in the business and are recognized worldwide as frame and alignment specialists.

You can find them at 8849 Exchange Drive in Orlando, and their contact number is 407-438-7020.

[MyPrevost]

Alignments on a Prevost can be quite interesting since there’s not much that’s adjustable.

1. **Drive Axle**: There’s no adjustability at all.
2. **Tag Axle**: Adjustment can only be done by replacing the links with different length rods to align it parallel with the drive axle. It typically comes from the factory set correctly, so significant changes over time are rare.
3. **Front Axle** (for pre-independent front suspension models):
– Only the toe-in can be adjusted by altering the length of the tie rod through the screw thread.
– Camber is not adjustable.
– Caster can be adjusted by swapping the wishbone links for longer or shorter ones; Prevost offers these in three lengths: standard, slightly shorter than standard, and slightly longer.

The steering wheel can be rotated on the splined shaft to ensure it’s straight while the bus is going straight.

Given all this, spending hundreds on an all-axle alignment might not be necessary unless you have a specific reason to suspect an issue. It’s wise to inspect the rubber bushings in the linkages for wear; if they’re worn out, it can cause looseness affecting tracking. Replacing the rubber is straightforward if needed.

[MyPrevost]

Peter,

I’ve noticed that my right front tire is showing more wear on the outside edge compared to the inside, while the left front tire looks normal. Additionally, the rubber cups covering the tie rod ends are cracked and need replacement.

Could you provide any tips on how to replace the rubber? Will I need to replace the entire tie rod end?

I haven’t tested the tie rod ends for looseness yet. My plan is to put the coach on jacks, deflate the air bags, and check for looseness with a pry bar. Is there anything else I should consider?

Hector

[MyPrevost]

When I’ve had my truck and bus aligned (both with straight axles), one method they used to make adjustments was bending the axles. I noticed that the outer shoulder on the left tire was wearing down when we got the bus, so they cranked it down tightly to the alignment jig and used a large porta-power to bend it back into the correct position.

[MyPrevost]

That sounds like too much toe-in, Hector. You can verify this yourself by checking the data in the manual. If you can’t find it online, I can look up the information and fax it to you. All you’ll need is a tape measure and two large carpenter’s squares.

I recommend you rotate the tire with wear from the drive axle; that should help straighten it out.

[MyPrevost]

Alignments on a Prevost are interesting. There is not much that is adjustable.

Peter, mine is a 1999 chassis, so it might be different than yours.

About a year ago, I had to replace the kingpin and the upper A-arm bushings, which required an alignment. The printout from the alignment showed adjustments to the front camber, caster, toe, and setback. For the drive axle, it indicated adjustments to camber, toe, and thrust angle, while for the tag axle, it listed camber, toe, scrub angle, and setback. I’m not entirely sure what most of those terms mean, but the whole process cost me $625 in Nashville.

[MyPrevost]

Hector,

Call Greg Fischer at Fischer’s Diesel Service in Pasadena. I have had both buses aligned by Greg and he does great work. He has a Josam laser alignment system. His number is 281.487.7904.

Loc

[MyPrevost]

Hector I second what Loc just said. I took our bus in to Fischers and he aligned it. Mine was not out of alignment much to begin with, but had it done anyway.

Fischers is off the Beltway 8 in Pasadena. http://www.fischersdieselservice.com/

Gary S.

[MyPrevost]

Hector and Jim,

To address your comments, my point is that while you can take your bus to an alignment shop and get all the measurements, if most of those aren’t adjustable (except by bending, as Jon mentioned—something I’d personally avoid), you’re just paying to hear data that might not be relevant. You can come to me at the next POG, and for $400, I’ll tell you how many tires are on your bus and what color it is!

My coach is a ’94 model with a solid beam axle in the front. I believe they switched to Independent Front Suspension (IFS) around 1999 or 2000. With IFS, there are many more things to adjust and a lot more rubber bushings that can wear out.

If you need to replace the bushings, they’re reasonably priced from Prevost. You just remove the link, press out the old bushing, and press in the new one before reinstalling. A little soapy water and either a press or a sledgehammer will do the trick!

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