3 visits to dodge and caravan STILL PULLS TO THE RIGHT...HELP!

Alignment is kind of a headache business it seems, people will drive around with it way out of whack and even the steering wheel not straight. Then when you align the vehicle they expect it to drive itself, without regard to wind (major influence esp. on high-profile vehicles), road crown and other conditions. This doesn't really speak to the original poster, but it's somewhat appropos. I think if the person aligning it doesn't bounce the suspension a couple of times beforehand it can affect the stance of the vehicle when imounting the sensors and etc. Typically on a problematic vehicle like that the original service provider would offer to pay for the alignment at another shop in the interest of customer satisfaction and hence keeping the customer. It's a good idea, however, to not tell the second-opinion shop that you'd had it at a competing shop--just say you'd like the alignment checked and also you want to see the printout before any adjustments are made. Also, I haven't heard anyone say anything about tire pressure, although that's pretty obvious.

When you have a complaint of an alignment problem the first thing to do is a visual inspection and road test. If the visual inspection is ok then it goes on the front end machine to have the angles checked. if they are out or even within specs you are done. Make any adjustments.

"Typically on a problematic vehicle like that the original service provider would offer to pay for the alignment at another shop in the interest of customer satisfaction and hence keeping the customer."

DISAGREE!! If the customer is not happy you simply put it on the machine and explain to the customer and show him the readings. If that customer thinks its a problem he can pay to have it rechecked. Roads with severe crowns will cause all kinds of drifting and pulling problems including the highways around here. Tire pressure is part of the alignment and visual inspection.

My opinion

Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech

Was the vehicle's pulling to the right the original reason for the visit to the shop to begin with? Also, what about the possibility of the alignment machine malfunctioning somehow, giving false readings, etc.?

I know the manager of a local shop who simply refunded the customers money when they were dissatisfied that their truck still pulled to one side after several tries to correct it. This made it right with the customer, who in turn used the money to have it aligned elsewhere. Or didn't.

Not something you'd want to do very often, it's true, but $65 is cheap compared to a disgruntled customer out there badmouthing you, since when someone percieves they didn't get a fair deal, EVERYBODY hears about it.

You could argue both sides of it.

I believe it is always better to keep the cust in your own shop. If the machine is off you would notice a pattern of all the vehicle you set up on it will display the same readings

Glenn

Has anyone moved front tires left to right to see if the pull follows the tires? Quite common cause of a pull.

Otherwise, has a FOUR WHEEL alignment been done? Has the rack been calibrated? It's not hard to do a good alignment if the equipment is calibrated properly - almost impossible if it is not. It's also very easy to do a bad alignment if you don't know what you are doing. A car can pull with ALL settings within limits if one wheel is at one end of the spec, and the other at the other. A good alignment tech would have the problem solved on the second try if there was a pull after the first try.

Put the calibration jig on and confirm the machine is accurate. Should be done monthly anyway.

maxpower wrote" of it. I believe it is always better to keep the cust in your own shop. If the machine is off you would notice a pattern of all the vehicle you set up on it will display the same readings

Good point about keeping the customer in your own shop. I wonder if the OP wasn't the only car on the alignment machine during the 3 attempts. IOW, maybe the machine is malfunctioning?

Glenn Beasley Chrysler Tech

So it is self calibrating??