I have a 1980 dodge aspen. For some reason every time I adjust the alignment only the drivers side tire keeps going out of alignment after a few days. It is wearing on the inner edge.

Why is this happening and how can I resolve it?

Loose cam bolt?

Worn upper control arm bushings or balljoints.

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82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2

I will check to see which of one or all of these parts need to be replaced and tightened.

Thank you

strut rod bushing could be toast causing your lower control arm to move around.

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64' Valiant Signet 5.9, 64' Dart 170 moredoor 3.7, 67' A100 3.7, 00' Dakota SLT 4.7

Thats the problem the upper control arm bushings need to be replaced.
For a 1980 dodge aspen do these need to be pressed in or is this something I can do myself?

You are correct the cam bolt is the problem. But it is not loose. I tightened the two nuts in the middle of the cam bolt in between the upper control arm with an impact wrench until they would not go anymore. I even used a break bar with a pipe at the end. But the cam bolt still slides out of alignment. It slides towards the engine. I put a bolt behind each of these nuts in the cam bolt and it stopped it from sliding. now the tire stays straight. I know this is not a proper fix.

Do you have any ideas as to why this cam bolt keeps sliding if the bolts are tight?

You are correct the cam bolt is the problem. But it is not loose. I tightened the two nuts in the middle of the cam bolt in between the upper control arm with an impact wrench until they would not go anymore. I even used a break bar with a pipe at the end. But the cam bolt still slides out of alignment. It slides towards the engine. I put a bolt behind each of these nuts in the cam bolt and it stopped it from sliding. now the tire stays straight. I know this is not a proper fix.

Do you have any ideas as to why this cam bolt keeps sliding if the bolts are tight?

The cam is prevented from turning on the bolt by a flat ground into the shaft of the bolt and a corresponding flat on the bolt hole in the cam. I'm guessing that one or the other, or both, of those flats are worn so that they no longer engage to prevent the cam from turning on the bolt.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

The volare's dont really have cam bolts like the a bodies.

They are diffent suspenions, similar to the diplomat.

They do not have strut rods either.

What could have happned is the hoarizintal bar that the 2 bolts are housed in has Grooves / Knurles cut in it.

If those grooves wear out your alignment will go wacko. - I guess you could get them recut by a machine shop or go yardin to find one off of a diplomat.

I had a similar problem on my 79 volare, I took it to get aligned , and in about a month the right side bolts became so loose that it just started moving all over the place. I called the shop and they set it up again. The technician tightned the two bolts again, then put a 3' bar on them. so they would not come loose.

He then explained that somtimes that can happen.

Remember the volare front end is designed similar to a GM car from the 70', 80's, as far as the upper control arm alignment procedure is concerned.

Greg

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