wheel alignment

[superspazz]

I have a 90 caravan. Took it in for a wheel alignment and the tire shop said it needs a four wheel alignment. Is this correct? I have been fixing cars for many years and have never heard of a solid axle being adjustable. I looked at the back axle and cannot see any way to adjust it. In the past I never checked my bills to see if it was a 2 or 4 wheel alignment. Just started going to a new shop. Thanks in advance

[GTP Dad]

I am not familiar with the suspension of a 90 Caravan but you can adjust certain aspects of the rear wheels especially if the rear has struts. I just had a four wheel alignment on my Ford Escort. Noticed tire wear on the rear. Of course you could always take it to a shop that specializes in alignment to get a second opinion.

[slantsixness]

superspazz,

4 wheel alignment on a Caravan is ok...
Rear suspension is adjustable, but Watch out!

The rear wheel bearings failing is usually what runs the rear alignment out. check for roaring noise in the rear at low speeds, if it roars, change the bearings first, then check the alignment again: presto, no alignment needed? That's what I've seen, on 5 different Vans I've had.
Hitting curbs, pot holes and sewer lids doesn't help and could require a rear and front (4wheel) alignment though, but usually something's gotten bent by then (replace).

A lot of shops won't center your steering wheel without a 4 wheel alignment, even if they don't shim the rear or adjust it. You could end up with a van that drives straight, with a crooked steering wheel, out of spite because you didn't buy their 4wheel "deal".

Alignments today can be a real hoax. Check with another dealer or service center and tell them you just had it aligned. Now see what happens....
2 out of 3 places will lie to you, no matter where you are.

[yale329]

Yes, they do rear alignments by adding shims. It is however quite unusual. Wayne