Alignment and new tires and still shaking or shimmering

[Floridaexplorer43]

About two weeks ago I paid for an alignment. The only paper I received was a bill or receipt. They then told me I needed a rotation and balance for $60. Then they said after that the tires are cupped but the tires were unbalanced and now they are balanced but cupped so it’s not going to be much better.

Before alignment I changed the differential fluid, changed two front sway bar links, replaced two front upper control arms with new ball joint. I replaced four wheel bearings (front was hub assembly).

Today I bought four new tires and it still rides horrible. It seems the steering wheel is still shimmering it still feels like the vehicle is shaking side to side. I was advised the new 4 wheels were balanced. It sounds like stuff in the back of vehicle is shaking too.

It was absolutely horrible before tires driving 65 mph on interstate.

So what’s next ? The struts? This car is breaking me. I feel like the preacher that sold to me took advantage. All this work and odometer shows 162000.

 

[Rick]

Struts are probably bad as evidenced by the cupping on the tires. I would also look at the control arm bushings.

 

[Floridaexplorer43]

Struts are probably bad as evidenced by the cupping on the tires. I would also look at the control arm bushings.

The wheels were bought from another vehicle same year and model and were on vehicle max of two weeks. Three out of four of the new tires I bought last night have wheel weights so I’m having the balance rechecked. I replaced the front upper control arm including the ball joints.

 

[Floridaexplorer43]

T

Struts are probably bad as evidenced by the cupping on the tires. I would also look at the control arm bushings.

he first shop said the tires were cupped but the second one said not cupped and asked if I see flat spots and I said no so he said then they aren’t cupped.

 

[Rick]

You still have lower control arms and control arms in the rear as well. They all use bushings.

 

[Floridaexplorer43]

You still have lower control arms and control arms in the rear as well. They all use bushings.

If bad how did shop perform the alignment they charged me?

 

[Rick]

If bad how did shop perform the alignment they charged me?

A vehicle can be aligned with worn parts, but the alignment may not hold, or you may experience other issues, shimmy, noises, etc. Another culprit causing a shimmy could be the rack and pinion steering unit.

 

[Floridaexplorer43]

A vehicle can be aligned with worn parts, but the alignment may not hold, or you may experience other issues, shimmy, noises, etc. Another culprit causing a shimmy could be the rack and pinion steering unit.

They found a front wheel with no weight and a bent rim in the rear but nothing was said last night about a bent rim. Hmmm
Unless they did this yesterday it likely was on the front when they did the alignment then after alignment a rotation and balance was performed.

 

[Floridaexplorer43]

What about tie rod ends? Looks like toe rod end boot is torn. I jacked vehicle up in middle of front and could shake tires at the 3 and 9 position.

 

[Floridaexplorer43]

A vehicle can be aligned with worn parts, but the alignment may not hold, or you may experience other issues, shimmy, noises, etc. Another culprit causing a shimmy could be the rack and pinion steering unit.

Today I jacked up the front one side at a time and tried to move tire at 3 and 9 o’clock position like I did Saturday with both sides jacked up at same time. I also Added grease to front lower ball joints the. When I drove it was even more scary. I believe the steering was now choppy like turning left it grabs then loose then grabs then loose. If you try swerving you don’t really have control. At least one tie rod end has a busted boot. I could really shake tire today with only one side up at a time. I checked Mercon v fluid in power steering reservoir. Never buy a vehicle from a preacher ive never seen a 160000 mile vehicle have so many issues.

The place that rotated and balance my tires and charged me for an alignment two weeks ago gave me NO Computer printout with toe measurements. The receipt has the vin and year of my former explorer which was an 03 not my current 2004 Explorer. So if they can’t even get this right did they do what they charged me? Four days ago I bought 4 new tires because that shop told me the balance rotate and alignment isn’t going to help Bc my tires were cupped. I had vibration or shake in my steering before and after alignment. Is rack and pinion going bad?

 

[Bazz270]

Lower control arm bushings and balljoints,inner/outer tie rods,steering rack are checked already?

 

[Floridaexplorer43]

Lower control arm bushings and balljoints,inner/outer tie rods,steering rack are checked already?

I know one tie rod end boot is busted.

 

[Floridaexplorer43]

Lower control arm bushings and balljoints,inner/outer tie rods,steering rack are checked already?

Today, I went to the place that charged me for an alignment balance and rotation on the fifteenth but then said it was cupped tires so not better and requested the printout. They couldn’t give it to me and I mentioned the vin and year on receipt are incorrect and they met me at my vehicle twice offering to put it on the rack. I figure they were trying to get my year and vin. They have plenty of excuses. Yesterday on the phone was told to come pick it up and today it’s we file them away maybe we filed it away on the 14th and I said well it was on the fifteenth and went and sat in my vehicle on the phone.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I wouldn’t be so quick to point fingers at everyone else when your truck has obvious crash damage. To start with, get a new wheel.

 

[Floridaexplorer43]

I wouldn’t be so quick to point fingers at everyone else when your truck has obvious crash damage. To start with, get a new wheel.

How do I have obvious crash damage?? I bought wheels and tires from an identical vehicle. My new front bearing is bad that I bought online and the rear bearing that I paid a shop to do had a misssing nut on the bolt that holds it at nuckle. I have four rims that came with this vehicle.
When an alignment shop can’t produce the print out and has my previous vehicle’s vin and year I have to question whether they did an alignment.

I bought this vehicle within the last two months and see no crash identifiers.

 

[Mbrooks420]

The wheel has obvious crash damage. I wouldn’t expect that wheel to balance or ride appropriately.

Sounds like you need a new wheel, and better shops to work on your vehicles.

 

[Bazz270]

Swap front damaged rims with the rear axle ones and check

 

[Floridaexplorer43]

Swap front damaged rims with the rear axle ones and check

Damaged rim is on rear, one of my new front hub assemblies is bad.