Posts: 1,303
Threads: 164
Joined: Sep 2012
We may be heading to Houston next week. Anyone know of a good alignment front end shop there? I know Foretravel can do them...
Karen & Adrian Abshire
1998 2 slide 45' Newell Coach 498
Prior: 1985 Foretravel ORED 35, 1988 38' Foretravel U280, 2000 Foretravel 42' U320, 1990 Bluebird Wanderlodge WB40
Posts: 1,479
Threads: 98
Joined: Jul 2012
Better if you can take it to Newell. They will align the entire coach including the tag and drive axles. My manual says virtually no toe-in, but I had it set a 3/16" which greatly reduced over-steering, with virtually no tire wear.
2001 Newell #579
tow a Honda Odyssey
fun car: 1935 Mercedes 500K replica
Posts: 1,303
Threads: 164
Joined: Sep 2012
I'll be doing well to get it to Houston, parents are both in the hospital so was hoping to squeeze in a front end alignment. I just worry about it eating my new 365s...
Karen & Adrian Abshire
1998 2 slide 45' Newell Coach 498
Prior: 1985 Foretravel ORED 35, 1988 38' Foretravel U280, 2000 Foretravel 42' U320, 1990 Bluebird Wanderlodge WB40
Posts: 1,170
Threads: 28
Joined: Mar 2013
You might try a TA Travel Center or Petro Truckstop.
Posts: 1,479
Threads: 98
Joined: Jul 2012
I would call Stewart & Stevenson, and it they cannot do it they surely can recommend someone.
2001 Newell #579
tow a Honda Odyssey
fun car: 1935 Mercedes 500K replica
Posts: 1,303
Threads: 164
Joined: Sep 2012
Reviving this thread - we never got to Houston to get an alignment done :-( On the bright side both parents are doing well and we will be visiting them this week while we are in Texas!
The coach has the bigger 365 wheels and tires ($$$$) and I don't want to kill them by scrubbing them down the highway due to some bad parts and poor alignment. How can I tell that they are going to be ok for the next 1000 miles or so back to Huntsville? I just don't have the time to do an alignment now and can have it done when I'm back to HSV. I found the threads on replacing the Drag links and Tie rod ends - a shop told me I needed new ones but I would rather do this myself if possible... just want to make sure the tires will be ok for a few 1000 more miles...
Karen & Adrian Abshire
1998 2 slide 45' Newell Coach 498
Prior: 1985 Foretravel ORED 35, 1988 38' Foretravel U280, 2000 Foretravel 42' U320, 1990 Bluebird Wanderlodge WB40
Posts: 5,576
Threads: 261
Joined: Jul 2012
Run your hands across the tire. Do you feel any unusual wear? Is it pulling hard to one side or another?
You may find changing the drag link and tie rod ends a bit of an extreme challenge. Plus you need an alignment immediately after the work. You might look for a shop that can do both.
Richard and Rhonda Entrekin
95 Newell, 390 Ex caretaker
99 Newell, 512 Ex caretaker
07 Prevost Marathon, 1025
Maverick Hybrid Toad
Inverness, FL (when we're home

)