Is a 3 axle alignment neccesary?

My truck tracks nice and straight when i let go of the wheel. I was doing this the other day when driving as i thought it was a way of seeing if there was any excessive pull. I think i will just leave it for now , new tires and shocks wont affect the alignment , i will keep a close eye on it though. I will be due for steers in a little while as well, might think about king pins etc at the same time. I will definately get an alignment at that time.
Everything seems nice and tight in the front end components at the moment. No noticable "play" in the tie rod , pitman arm or drag link.

 

We each have favorite places to get an alignment done. There is no one place that is better than everyone else. It can be a hit or miss thing trying to find a good one though. I have always been partial to Allied Oil and Supply in Des Moines. Todd there is an excellent suspension guru. Been at it for over 20 years and also teaches this kind of stuff at the local tech school. I am sure he is not the only great alignment guy in the country, but he is one of the best. He does a thorough check of all steering and suspension components when doing the alignment. He does it, wheels on the ground, over a pit that is dedicated to only alignments. Can't remember the name of the equipment he uses.

To OP, a 3 axle check is never a bad idea. Even if things seem ok. I have a 3 axle done every 100,000 miles. If you check with the Technology and Maintenance Council, that is even longer than they recommend. It really doesn't cost that much, and can catch something before it really becomes an issue and costs you a couple of tires or more. You might say, it is good preventative maintenance.

 

The best equipped shop in the world can screw up your alignment with an incompetent technician.
If they dont go through all the prescribed pre checks or don't work accurately and methodically they risk dialing your alignment way out.
Had many trucks alignment screwed up by poor knowledge and sloppy workmanship.
10 000 miles and steers screwed up.
Check with a tape measure and can do a better job then some clowns.
Sorry for the rant but its a pet hate of mine when I pay a professional to stuff things up.
I really don't need their help with this as I'm quite capable of screwing up on my own.

 

Because shocks were brought up here....... did 6 Monroes this morning. Gas jobs....... just put 6 on the dog ( oil type ) a year ago and their gone. Rears gave up their game by leaking oil which told deputy dawg they were bad. Fronts didn't leak but I pushed them together off the truck and they stayed.....ugh!!!

Just teaks me off...,good cash money wasted....I'm thinking I should have gotten way more out of these old ones but.....ok.

Another FYI on my parts rant: Bought a new radiator from dog, stuck it in and there wasn't one accessory hole with a nut welded behind it. Hade to use self tapping bolts to mount all the goodies. Not good. Kinda makes sense now, took 2 men to wrestle the old one out ( 91 lbs ) and I set the new one in the mounts myself. (37 lbs) ....guess everyone is cutting back.

JMO

 

I say, if they are wearing good now, don't let anyone touch it. Wasted money and could easly make it worse.
I had no problem with my steers, but because of replacing the king pins, thought I'd better get it aligned. One of the better known shops new me, screwed up my alignment and a new set of steers. I corrected it with a tape measure but still trashed the tires. That was 200 thrown away for an alignment.

leave well enough alone.

 

I wouldn't bother if your tires are wearing fine, I haven't had an alingment, or had it checked in four years now, tires still wear perfect. And if your W9 is as good as mine has been (1.3) million miles and still running the original king pins Kenworth put on it when they built this truck.

 

But definitely inspect your tires frequently. The best way to do that is to run your hands over the surface - you'll feel a tire wear problem long before you see it.

 

Ok. I'll weigh in on this one. I had three 3-axel alignments done last year . Cost me a set of tires . If you sit in a " waiting room " , you're toast. You want to be under their feet all the way . A good mechanic , and shop , won't mind . It's your truck , and your money. They start with the " Insurance " crap , get the heck out of there .
A Good alignment man can check your truck out , not align it , but check it out , in a parking lot. He'll start at the front , check your wheel bearing , and your Kingpins . Drag link , tie rod ends , etc.
if he finds nothing wrong there , he'll move to the rear . He'll check your Dogbones , bushings , wheel bearings .
If he finds nothing wrong , you're ready for a 3-axel alignment. He'll check it. If it doesn't need aligned , he'll tell you so . Usually no charge , If you're buying tires at the same place.
Place I use now , in Atlanta , the alignment service is Aligned with the tire dealer , not part of it. Big difference.
good luck.
PS . I used MD Alignment . They're ok , but my truck pulls to the right . No wear on my new tires yet , but the guy in Atlanta Showed me , and told me , until I replaced the things that were worn , it would be a waste of money to have it re-aligned.
I've replaced the Dogbones , the drag link is gonna get replaced , but its not real bad , yet. Rear suspension bushings are the same . Not real bad , but need to be replaced .
Same story with my Kingpins . They are probably original ( truck has 856,000 on it ) , and they are the most expensive to replace . If they're doubtful , get it done , with Good ones , not the junk the dealers sell.

 

What is the name of the place where you recommend to do alignment in Atlanta?

 

Macon Truck and Trailer in Macon GA has been an excellent shop over the years. They are the only place that ever got my W9 to wear steer tires correctly. I heard the old guy was retiring and had been training his replacement.