Alignment Needed after Frame Repair?

[Bill G.]

I bought a 2003 Sport about 2 years ago, and been having some work done here and there since, like everyone else. One of the things I did was to repair the frame, using the frame rail "caps" (I can't remember the name of that system) that run the length of each main rail. I plan on keeping it for a while so to me was worth it, though it wasn't cheap. Around the same time I had the axle pinion gears worked on as I was getting a whine and there was some wear that was taken care of (thank goodness for the warranty I got during the loan process).

I'm about to make it my daily driver full time, and on the highway at around 65 it has some vibration. Not bad (like when I first got it before replacing the tires). My steering components seem pretty good (they were checked and I don't seem to have any loose spots by the bushings). So I was thinking based on the advice I've read here from other threads that I may have the tire balance rechecked by someone more accurate than the tire center where I got new tires.

Here is my question, when getting frame work done, is there a need to have a new alignment as a follow up after the frame repair? My front was in good shape so no work was needed on the front arms, mostly the main rail (skid plate bolts were spinning, interior rusting in the rail) and the connections to the back suspension. I was planning on doing the balancing, but didn't know if I should just do an alignment as well (one was done when I bought it as I recall).

Thanks for any insight.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

First, a bad alignment will not by itself cause vibrations or shimmies. Tire issues are the usual source of those problems.

So far as if it needs an alignment after the frame was straightened, most likely. You want to check the alignment between the front & rear axles to make sure they're still parallel and tracking the same.

 

[Bill G.]

Thanks Jerry, that makes sense (since it was your replies that led me to the tire re-balance and double checking the air-pressure). It drives pretty good as far as tracking on the highway, but I may just do them both for ease of mind given the frame work.

 

[Chris]

I agree with what Jerry said, spot on!

 

[Bigbill]

Drive shaft alignment?

You need to drive in the snow or wet road to see it your getting four different tracks.
I read where part of the body is some of the Frame rigidity too. If the frame isn't held true when repairing it she can get tweaked. If a body is off the frame during the repair a level and a piece of masonline is your friend. If the body is on the frame when repaired it must be jacked up so it level. I'm a class a machine builder and a welder fabricator. I boxed my 73 cj5 willys/ amc jeep with 3/8" plate. Trust me it was dead parallel and level.