I have a 4WD 3500 DRW that was showing considerable outside front tire wear. Took in for alignment check and was told front ball joints needed replacing which they said was causing wear and "chopping" tire wear pattern on front tires. Had ball joints replaced and alignment done at an alignment only shop they recommended. Told them I wanted it set to Thuren specs based on everything I read in the forums. He agreed with zero toe and seemed to be knowledgeable with the issue. I told him what the caster should be set to and he said castor and camber really aren't adjustable and blew it off a bit. When done he said toe is zeroed out and left caster was 5.5 and right 5.75. I told him again that was above the Thuren specs. He said it was fine at that setting and didn't seem interested in adjusting it lower. So, long story, but is that high of a caster ok? I tow a 20k 5th wheel primarily with it. Thanks for input.
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2021 3500 DRW Alignment
- Thread starter pldwelle
- Start date
CdnHO
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Since he isn't in any hurry to change it, I would see how it handles. With the higher caster on the right it may pull right. Been a long time since I have done alignments, so not entirely sure. The main issue with your tire wear would have been toe. Caster is adjustable but camber is not on these trucks. Too bad the guy didn't listen to you.
Crusty old shellback
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Agree toe was probably the main issue. Mine was out of factory specs from the factory.
Castor is high. It mainly helps to recenter the wheels after turning. Its easy to adjust on theses trucks. He was just being lazy, or didn't understand how it's adjusted. You paid for a full alingment and he gave you half of one. I'd take it back and tell him to finish the alingment he started.
How many miles on the truck? My '21 has 80K and ball joints are still good.
You probably just needed a alingment.
Castor is high. It mainly helps to recenter the wheels after turning. Its easy to adjust on theses trucks. He was just being lazy, or didn't understand how it's adjusted. You paid for a full alingment and he gave you half of one. I'd take it back and tell him to finish the alingment he started.
How many miles on the truck? My '21 has 80K and ball joints are still good.
You probably just needed a alingment.
55000 miles on it. One shop said it's common for ball joints to go early on these trucks. Took to another shop for replacement and they did it. After searching a bit for "castor not adjustable on 5th gen RAM" I get this info...not sure what to believe. "According to information from various forums, a 2021 Ram 3500's caster is generally considered "not adjustable" on the stock suspension, meaning that to significantly change the caster angle, you would likely need to install aftermarket components like offset ball joints or suspension arms, as..."
Drives perfectly fine but just worried about component wear
H3LZSN1P3R
You're doing it wrong
No that is wrong. Camber is not adjustable but castor is and it is adjusted by the cam bolt on the radius arms.
Your ball joints were likely fine there is an allowable amount of play in the upper ball joints and the shop likely did not know that
.....and..."
Key points about caster adjustment on a Ram 3500:
Limited adjustment range:
While some minor caster adjustments might be possible by slightly loosening and repositioning the upper control arm bolts, the range of adjustment is very small on a stock setup. "
H3LZSN1P3R
You're doing it wrong
Also wrong there is a fair amount of adjustment.
What irks me is this shop only does alignments and has been in business for 20+ years, has great reviews, and recommended by my shop. As you said, now that I've done some more reading, likely didn't need ball joints at all. Did have "popping" sound under my feet on drivers side when under load though.
CdnHO
Well-Known Member
Good mechanics that take pride in their work are rare these days. There are some but many do just what they can get by with, hoping the customer is not educated. I served a five year apprenticeship in the 60s and I would have been looking for a new job with that attitude.
Crusty old shellback
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I actually had my castor adjusted to 3.5 when I first had it aligned. Later, I went back to 4 degrees.
It's a easy adjustment. Loosen the bolt on the radius arm where it connects to the axle and turn the bolt. It's on a cam and will rotate the axle forward or rear ward. There are plates with marks so you know where you started and where you wind up.
Big issues is that the marks should be close to the same on both sides. You can get them 180 out from each other which causes a lot of other problems.
Go back and have them adjust it properley.
It's a easy adjustment. Loosen the bolt on the radius arm where it connects to the axle and turn the bolt. It's on a cam and will rotate the axle forward or rear ward. There are plates with marks so you know where you started and where you wind up.
Big issues is that the marks should be close to the same on both sides. You can get them 180 out from each other which causes a lot of other problems.
Go back and have them adjust it properley.
Crusty old shellback
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1500s are 5th gen rams.
2500s are still 4th gen.
Upper control arms are on 1500s.
2500s have radius arms.
Looks like you are reading info on 1500s, not 2500s.
1500s don't have a solid axle on the front.
Climb under your truck and look at the point where the lower radius arm mounts to the axle and you will see the adjustment cam and marks on the bolt, plate.
2500s are still 4th gen.
Upper control arms are on 1500s.
2500s have radius arms.
Looks like you are reading info on 1500s, not 2500s.
1500s don't have a solid axle on the front.
Climb under your truck and look at the point where the lower radius arm mounts to the axle and you will see the adjustment cam and marks on the bolt, plate.