Can a solid axle truck be aligned? How to get brake dust crud off of wheels?

[JDub02]

I have a 97 Dodge Ram 4WD that pretty much sat around when gas prices started skyrocketing. Well, when I got married, my wife decided that she likes my Mazda6 and now I'm back to driving my truck.

Visually, it's in decent shape, except for a bunch of brake dust that's caked on the front wheels. I've tried the standard spray-on, scrub off wheel cleaners and they're not working too well. Anyone know of any good stuff for removing brake dust? Wheels are aluminum American Racing.

The truck also runs well, except that it pulls to the right, slightly while driving and more severe while braking. Nothing that I can't overcome by putting some pressure on the steering wheel, but it's annoying. I've replaced both front brake calipers since getting the truck back on the road, so I don't think one's sticking. It pulled before and after replacing the calipers. Now it has me thinking alignment, except that the truck has a solid front axle. There's nothing to adjust aside from the toe. Can anything be moved with control arms that are a fixed length?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Yes, a solid axle truck can be aligned. Especially in the front end. In the rear there's not much they can do aside from check the alignment and replace the springs, but the front usually has a good bit of adjustments available to it.

 

[mooseracing]

99.999999% of steering axles can be aligned. And most IRS are alignable as well. Solid rear axles I don't know of any common ones that can.

As far as brake dust, get out a polish ball for a drill and try it out with mag polish.

 

[nwfsnake]

If the wheels are painted or coated, try some "Krud Kutter" if you can find it. You might need to clay them to get it all off.

 

[JDub02]

The local alignment shop said it was probably caused by my tires and to try and swap my front tires L<->R and see if it stop pulling or pulls the other way. I never thought it could be tires. I'll have to try that tonight.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

If the wheels are smooth enough you can try a claybar. Oddly enough that worked when the chemicals could not in one case.

 

[Prong]

Check your tire pressure--one thats lower than the other can cause this. Also, look at the tie rods and ball joints and make sure they're in good shape.

 

[Zenmervolt]

If a brake is sticking on the rear axle it can cause a pull too, it's not just the front brakes that can cause a side-to-side pull. Check and make sure that your rear brakes are functioning properly as well.

ZV

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: JDub02
The local alignment shop said it was probably caused by my tires and to try and swap my front tires L<->R and see if it stop pulling or pulls the other way. I never thought it could be tires. I'll have to try that tonight.

I gave this a go yesterday.

Went rear -> front and front crossed -> back. Truck tracks straight. So weird.

As far as brake crud on my wheels.. I hit up auto zone and asked them for their strongest wheel cleaner. It helped, but I still have alot of junk on there that just wasn't budging. A car salesman I know said they have some acid that should remove it. Going to try that next.

 

[TonyG]

Wheel acid does great things, unless those aluminum wheels are just polished and not coated. Using wheel acid on a non-coated aluminum wheel will etch the aluminum, leaving you with a matte finish. It is possible to polish back out, but it is a major PITA!

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: TonyG
Wheel acid does great things, unless those aluminum wheels are just polished and not coated. Using wheel acid on a non-coated aluminum wheel will etch the aluminum, leaving you with a matte finish. It is possible to polish back out, but it is a major PITA!

they look horrible now, so I doubt I can make it worse.