Frame alignment. Please help!

[Ulysses]

Jason,

Before you do anything drastic go out and measure the tire pressures in the front. Sometimes alignment shops forget to make sure that they are equal. Has someone actually checked to see if the frame is bent?

 

[kverges]

If the wheels are properly aligned, tire pressures correct, and brakes functioning, the car should not pull, regardless of the frame "alignment." Unless the frame is seriously bent, there is adequate adjustment in the offset bushings and shims to get the car in alignment.

I would seriously check the wheel alignment first. Was it done for all 4 wheels and accurate for not just caster, camber and toe, but relative thrust angles and position of the wheels in relation to one another? The single largest reason for a car to pull is unequal front camber from side to side. In any event, get someone qualified to do a proper 4-wheel alignment and who knows Vipers to boot.

I would highly doubt any frame problem. Under no circumstances would I pull the frame on a Viper without a highly-qualified person doing it. Remember, if you pull the frame, you pull all the body panels attached to it and your hood, doors, etc may no longer function properly! You could RUIN the car plating witht he frame. I recommend calling Chief and finding a skilled operator of the Genesis II frame system. This system accurately and simultaneously measures frame position of various supension points before, during and after a frame pull. This was used on my RT/10 after a stupid mishap on my part and worked very well. The car now tracks truer than it did new and is a joy to drive on track. Also, no tabs needed to be welded. Proper frame straigtening equipment will include jigs to pull the frame without welding on tabs.

Keith

 

[GTS Dean]

I very much agree with Keith. I would comment that if your rear suspension caster angle was not checked with Chrysler's Viper Service Tools, you could very well have a major problem there. If the locknuts on the adjuster cams are not torqued to the proper level (75 lb-ft) they may slip and cause tracking problems.

Checking Viper frame alignment begins with a simple visual assessment of whether the lower longitudinal members are dead-flat from rear to front, as well as parallel from the front of the transmission tunnel cover plate - forward.

 

[Mike Adams]

If after 2 alignments I would question the tires. Tires are the biggest cause of a hard pull. To check a tire pull just take the left tire and put it on the right side and the right tire on the left side. Then test ride if the pull is gone or it pulls the other way you have a shifted belt in a tire. If it still pulls it is in the alignment of the car

 

[ruckdr]

Another possible reason is a sticky brake caliper; I had this on my Chrysler T&C Van, and upon examining the pads, it was obvious. Replaced the caliperS (yes both) and problem solved.
Good Luck,
Don Ruckman
[email protected]

 

[Jerry Scott[CO]]

It could also be one of the hub bearings going bad and causing drag on that wheel. Spin them on a hoist when they are all warmed and see if there is any drag.