RT pulling to the Right

[Dark_Lycan]

Hi guys...im a new RT ower...totally sweet car...i have the problem with it pulling to the right...its at the dealer right now...been there for two days now...Staff person informed me late today that they need to get engineers involved because the normal methods to correct the problem have not work...when i asked if the problem could be fixed...i didnt get a straight answer...can u guys give me some advice on your experiences and the outcoume...sorry for the long msg...doh...its a sign of worry....thanks again

[MagnumFreak]

There are a couple of threads on this at DodgeMagnum.net with some pretty good info. Here is the link: Dodge Magnum (http://www.dodgemagnum.net) You have to become a member to do a search but membership is free.

Hope this helps.

[Fletcher323]

I also have an RT and when I picked it up, it had an upper control arm bolt that was loose and it also pulled to the right. I took it back and told them about the noise coming from the right front and they tightened up the bolt and supposedly did an alignment. However when I got it back it still pulled so I took it back and while I waited, they lowered the sub-frame and made the adjustments that way because there are no adjustments for caster or camber. It still pulls slightly but at this point not enough to take back because I am enjoying the car so much. I wouldn't be too concerned about the car just the dealership. Good Luck!

[Dark_Lycan]

Thanks guys for your advace and help...i just got my ride back today...damn sweet car...it takes about 8 sec if i let go of the wheel to fully change lanes...the dealer stated thats with factor speaks...so i guess thats that...i will check that link as well thanks again

[HEMI_RT]

This should help. Just bring this with you to the dealership. I am going to try and get mine in there some time this week.
http://www.dodgemagnum.net/phpBB2/tsb_recall.php

[slammed1]

Guys the local dealership has been letting me work on one of their"problem child" 300c Hemi's that their customer complains about the pull to the right.I did what the spec book said to adjust the engine cradle for more caster on the right than the left and the Pull nearly dissappeared.No more adjustment now though.The dealership has now put a new rack on to cure a HONKING noise while turning left so now I get to re-align it and said the customer still says pulls right.Well the servce advisor has ordered a camber correcting bolt kit to help solve the adjusting problems.Monday morning the parts will be in then I'll be able to re-set the specs on the car.Just a little info...most cars pull right due to ROAD CROWN,Some manufactures specs adjust for this by putting more caster in the right versus the left.Caster is not a tire wearing spec but does contribute to the way the car drives and follows the roads.Most cars have between 3.00 and 4.50 degreees caster where as luxury cars(mercedes,bmw,etc)have up to and beyond 10.00 caster built in for drive comfort at higher speeds.The 300's and Magnums also have high caster settingsbetween 9.00 and 11.00 degrees.The 300 I have been working on I was able to stagger the caster 1.5 degrees from right to left and pull nearly dissappeared(could drive almost two blocks before changing lanes)but still the customer says pulls Right.I may end up staggering the caster up to 2.5 degrees to get the pull gone but will let you guys know how it goes so you can have something to shoot for in your warranty claims.Hope this info helps and you guys enjoy those cars,They are BADASS......Later SLAMMED1

[slammed1]

well I used the CHRYSLER supplied camber(actually CASTER) correcting bolts and achieved a 2.2 degree SPLIT in the CASTER right to left(11.9 rt 9.7 left ) and the camber was at -0.02 left and-.01 right.The car doesnt pull any more and the bolts were actually thought out for the cure.The lower arm(forward) already has an OVAL hole but has 4 ridges in it to keep the factory bolt centered.The new bolt kit has an almost identical bolt but with OFFSET GROOVEs cut in the bolt to LOCK in to the ridges at the desired setting.Do Not TRY and rotate the BOLT once installed in the arm OR the inside of the BUSHING will be destoyed,must tighten the nut only while holding the bolt in position.The car is driving good now,just hope the customer see's it that way.Hope this helps due to the similarities of the vehicles,and here are a few pics.

[HEMIHEAD]

Slammed so now that you have compensated to correct the drift problem, can you give us a reason for the uneven tread wear? Not sure of anyone elses, but mine are wearing on the outter edge only. Low wear from front to rear. Thanks.

[slammed1]

Generally Outer edge tire wear is affected by TOO positive toe-in settings or Positive camber.Where as inside edge tire wear is from negative toe-out settings or negative camber settings.The toe-in or out will show tire wear the fastest if not set properly and the camber settings will be more forgiving on the wear issues but still will show wear if not set properly.Most cars now-and-days have slight negative camber to help in cornering performance but will eventually show inside edge wear no matter what.

I think those who have had the alignment set that are experiencing abnormal tire wear should have the alignment re-checked to solve the problem.

One thing to remember is ......CASTER is a NON-TIRE-WEARING angle in the front end,Caster does affect the way the vehicle "FOLLOWS" the road and also the steering feel of the car(high speed stability)Most high end cars(BMW,MERCEDES ETC ETC) have large caster numbers to help in the high speed handling of the cars,and usually read in the high 10.00 to 14.00 degrees or more.

[HEMIHEAD]

Slammed, thanks for the reply. The only thing that bothers me about all of this is the fact that there have been several owners that have had the TSB realignment done along with the cradle rock and new bolt and still have a tire wear issue. They took their cars back in to have the alignment rechecked and were told they were up to spec. That sounds to me like they don't know what else to do. In your personal opinion since this vehicle evidently has a build problem, is there a possibility that no matter what anyone tries, this problem with tire wear may not go away?

[pdubois64]

Thanks for all the info everyone, especially Slammed1. I wish I had you to work on this problem. I am going to print out some of your information and take it with me to the dealership on Tuesday along with the TSB. Apparently they have never even heard of this problem, which I find hard to believe. I'll post back when I get it back. Is this work something a dealership is even capable of? or do they have to send it out to an alignment shop??

Thanks

[slammed1]

With the tolerances the factory give the vehicle to be in specs.......just because the screen shows the number in GREEN it isnt necessarily in specs.

Example:02 dodge ram(sorry about the reference)
camber specs.......0.00 (tolerance + or - .5)
caster specs.......3.50 (tolerance + or - 1.00)
toe specs........0.10 (tolerance + or - .15)

The tolerances are too wide to actually help promote good tire wear.These specs are saying that in essence the front right camber can be -.5 and the right caster can be 2.50 with the left camber at +.5 and the left caster at 4.50 and everything be in specs............well yes by the LOOSE tolerances it may look like that but in reality that alignment would pull so hard right it wouldnt even be funny.The main thing is for the alignment tech to be able to see the numbers on the screen and decipher them instead of looking at the colors of the screen to see if the specs are in range.
Most dealerships have an experienced tech to run the machines but other dealerships send out alignments to be done at a local shop(very few)!!

[slammed1]

One more thing to add guys is that the key to proper tire wear is to Rotate on a good basis .......every 3000-5000 miles is recommended.With the proper maintenence on your tires the wear if any will be significantly reduced but not dissappear.Still keep the alignment in check and find a shop that you can trust with your needs.
I have had customers that wouldnt Rotate at all cause they were "monitoring the tire wear!!!!" These are the same people who buy two tires instead of four.Properly maintained tires and alignments should wear the tires out evenly throughout the course of their life expectantcy.

[bobschm]

When I test drove my Magnum, it was pulling to the right. It was strong enough for me to know it was not road crown. The salesman suggested it might be tire pressure. Before I took delivery, he had them do a full alignment, tire pressure, road test. Mine drives straight now.

Bob

[pdubois64]

Took mine in today and surprise surprise it didn't meet the new specs that are supposed to have been taken care of at the factory on cars built after after April 24. They ordered the camber bolt kit and are to install it tommorrow and re-align....I hope this fixes the problem.

[g3gtsboy]

This should be fixable. There is a TSB out for specific Magnum / 300's made before april I think. TSB 0002-003-04 I think. The TSB involves moving the engine cradle to allow more adjustement to get the steering geometry correct.

http://www.allpar.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t39192.html

Anyhow I had mine in the shop 4 times before they got it right but finally found a dealer able to fix it. Love it now.

[pdubois64]

Got mine back and it still pulls but it seems a little better. Guess I'll go back for round 2 :pnice:

[pdubois64]

Had to take the car back for the 2 recalls and told them about it still pulling right.(I am not winter driving the car and only put about 100 miles on since last in). They have had it two days now and told me they are waiting to hear back from DC about how to fix the problem. I am happy because I just figured they would brush me off as they already aligned it to spec the last time.

By the way...the car was built in August 04, so it does effect cars built after April. Mine was built in Canada, not sure if that has anything to do with it.

[Fletcher323]

No I think that since the car was made in Canada it should pull left!

[sikpuppy]

Just an FYI, ALL the Magnums AND 300Cs are made at the plant in Brampton, Ontario.

[pdubois64]

Got the car back after 4 days and it seems to track straight now. Have it parked again so it may be awhile before I drive it again.

If anyone is interested in what they did let me know and I will post it...doesn't seem like alot of interest here anymore.

[sheezdoc]

Heck yes I want to know...pls do tell. Mine was the slightest hair off so I asked the dealership to check it when they installed sirus. Well, they adjusted it and now it's whacked out but they insist it was way off specs and now is within specs....go figure.

[pdubois64]

Not sure how much good it will do you because I don't have any numbers but here it is:

Vehicle is still pulling right (see history). Road tested and confirmed that it is still pulling right...Ran vehicle out on alignment machine and confirmed that the cross camber was still off set the wrong way...faxed engineering alignment angles and waited for response...they suggested to increase caster...was not able to accomplish the spec they asked for...removed L/Lower control arm bolt(14mm) and installed a 12mm bolt to see if correct amount of cross caster could be achieved...was able to achieve the correct reading....contacted engineering and was told that was not acceptable as the 12mm bolt was not a factory fastner...removed 12mm bolt and ground out eyelet of the cradle approx. 4mm...installed factory fastner and realigned...was able to achieve the angles that would allow the vehicle to go straight...road tested to confirm and vehicle does not pull or wander.

It seems from reading other posts that they are dealing with each car on an individual basis. I don't think they have a fix that will work on every car. I would make sure that your dealer is in touch with DC engineering for advise.

[SLAPPY]

buddy of mine has the same problem. dealer couldnt fix.i noticed my mag pulls slightly.

[pdubois64]

Keep bugging them to fix it. Mine is perfect now. They got it right on the second attempt, so it is possible. Expect no less.

[Hazy Davey]

I bought an rt magnum in december, love it. But mine is also pulling to the right. Do I have to use my warranty to have the issue fixed, or is it a recall type of situation? Thanx for your time. - :gr_patrio :help:

[flhthemi]

It's a TSB. the dealers are aware of it. I'm sure someone here can give you the TSB number.

[pdubois64]

TSB # 02-003-04. Your warranty will cover it but be careful, after a certain amount of miles they are going to say that alignments are maintanance, and you will be charged. They are also going to tell you that the TSB does not apply to your vehicle because it was probably built after April 25/04 (since you bought in Dec.). Insist they correct the problem anyway. If your dealer has not had experience fixing this problem, they need to contact DC engineering for help. Good luck.

[g3gtsboy]

Everyone with pull right problems or tire wear problems after the TSB fix should file a complaint with the NHTSA. Are you tired of dealers and Daimler Chrysler ignoring your problem? I am.

Here is the link to the online complaint submission.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

Please post your complaint confirmation number

Mine is

Your Complaint Information is successfully submitted.
Your Confirmation number (ODI Number) is: 10108107

[vizaracer]

my friends magnum has the same problem... but he doesnt have time to take it in. his tires are bald on the edges. (hes not mechanically inclined)

[g3gtsboy]

Please provide him with the link to file a complaint. It only takes about 5 minutes. He will need the VIN # and the mileage of the car in order to fill it out.

Thank You,
Dan

[Dodgeboy59]

My RT , bought june 1st, has pulled to the right and worn outside edge of tires since I got it. the dealer kept telling me it was a road crown thing. When I finally insisted they look at it I had over 12k miles and they said I would have to pay for aligment. I did and it still pulls to the right. Now I am saving this page to my laptop and taking it in to them and bitching up a storm. :mad: :VHOT:

[BillyDsl]

No I think that since the car was made in Canada it should pull left!
:thatfunny thanks Fletcher, I needed a little humor after swallowing that thread. lol

Hey sik, gimme a call.. :)

[Dodgeboy59]

Thanks for the info here guys. I showed my dealer this post and he looked up that TSB and set it to those specs and it tracks great now. Not sure about outside tire wear yet but at least he didn't charge me for the second alignment.

[BillyDsl]

Always nice to hear good news.. ;)

Way to go Dodgeboy.. :rck:

Do you know if they had to replace the part (camber bolt?) as they did on some to achive proper specs? or was it just a simple adjustment to new specs?.

[pdubois64]

You should get a refund for the 1st alignment.

[Dodgeboy59]

I do not see anything about a replace camber bolt on the invoice. The first allignment should have been free too but I didn't want to push my luck.

[DonnaK]

Hi all!
I too, had the right pull. I bought mine in Sept. 04 and it pulled from the first day I drove it. This has gone on for 6 months. I've had it in service for 4 times and each new TSB was done, including the cradle adjustment last fall. Needless to say, it still pulled.I have an appointment for next week with the GM to do a buy back. Then, my friend who is a Chrysler mechanic took it to his co-worker who had fixed a 300 due for a buy back for the same pull. That was yesterday. I can tell you honestly, it is now fixed!!!!! He basically did the same thing that slammed1 on page 2 of this message is talking about. I wish to God that I had seen his post way back in November. It would have saved me so much aggrivation. I am taking his "answer to the fix" to my dealer and shoving in the service managers face. He had told me that Dodge and all cars made today, put the right drift/pull in the car as a safety feature to keep us from having head on collisions. Yeah right. More BS as they don't have the fix. Take slammed1's numbers to the service dept. and have your pull fixed once and for all. I love my car now, but they noticed my differential is leaking. That's another TSB. I was also told by the Chrysler guy, to rotate my tires as it will take any drift left out of it. I only have 4800 miles on it, so I am REALLY looking forward to driving it now!!!!
Donna

[SLAPPY]

when i did my exhaust i noticed rearend oil on my diff. i wiped it clean end rechecked it about 300 miles later i found it dry.no leak.im thinking a little spillage at the factory. my car only has 700 miles on it.maybe thats the deal with yours.

[slammed1]

Glad to help out.......sorry not to get back with you yesterday DonnaK.......I hope everything goes well for your friend.......someplaces dont try hard enough anymore.......why do you think a Chrysler dealership sent the car to me at a local tire and suspension shop to fix....they didnt want to/know how to!!!!!

[BillyDsl]

I think this thread should be cleaned up a little and posted in a section called, Happy Trails..
Really, I feel so confident that I can have mine corrected even though it is very slight, after following this thread.

Kudos to all that tracked and posted and to slammed1 for his input..

Thanks all.. :rck:

[robject]

well, I have been to two differnet dealerships for four alignments, one steering wheel adjustment, and one cross rotation of the front tires. Still pulls right. So, I have filed a complaint with the NHTSA. We will see . . . .

[done]

well, I have been to two differnet dealerships for four alignments, one steering wheel adjustment, and one cross rotation of the front tires. Still pulls right. So, I have filed a complaint with the NHTSA. We will see . . . .

Have you had the rear end aligned? Indenpendent rear suspesions can be out of alignment also and can cause/aggravate the problem.

[BillyDsl]

Have you had the rear end aligned? Indenpendent rear suspesions can be out of alignment also and can cause/aggravate the problem.
Man, that ain't no lie.. I put the newer independent rear suspension and front disc brakes, on my 60 vette about 20 yrs ago and was lucky to have several shops around that enjoyed helping me get it in proper alignment.

robject, you did offer them the data contained earlier in this thread? which seeded to pretty much take care of that. :confused: I have a very slight lead but thought it wouldn't be a problem by the time I took it in. Thought I would check with dealers and make sure they were aware of prob and solution.

Be sure and post the progress, and best of luck.. :rck:

[robject]

Yes, I have had four alignments now, the last time all four wheels were aligned. It's better, but not perfect. I took it to a different dealership, and they knew about the TSB. They did not replace the bolt.

Rear wheel drive SXT bought in Sept. 2004. Not sure of the manufacture date.

[BillyDsl]

Just for the log, what model, and do you know when it was built??
I think the earlier built models were a little harder to correct.. not sure bout that.. ??

BillyD..