ranger mis-alignment from factory

[LD McIntosh]

Hi
I have a new 2008 ranger 4x4 which seems to have a built in mis-alignment right from the factory. Although it drives down the road Ok, the rear wheels (entire axle) are 1.5 inches closer to the outside edge of the right rear wheel well than on the left side. Mechanics at the local dealer measured and confirmed this but when checked with the alignment machine (Laser-liner) all the readings were within tolerance. The offset in wheel track is quite apparent to someone driving behind and obvious in tracks made in snow, mud etc. while driving straight ahead.

Has anyone else found this in a new ranger? or an older one for that matter?

cheers
LD McIntosh

 

[wvcat]

On older vehicles that track down the road crooked its usually the center bolt in one of the leaf springs that is broken. Thats where I would start. If not maybe the springs don;t have the same dimensions from the front mount to the center bolt.
John

 

[Jspafford]

I am going to go out on a limb here and tell you to have them take some measurements of the bed. I will almost bet it is out of whack and not bolted in the body mounts straight, causing it to look the way you describe.

 

[metalmacguyver]

and the bed may be that way because it was lined up with the lines on the cab. so the cab was a tiny bit off and the bed makes the axle appear to be way off.

its definately more likely that the error was in the sheetmetal than the frame/axle/suspension.