Alignment question

[n0c7]

As per my other thread, I just finished inspecting, repacking, and retorquing my wheel bearings on both Front wheels. I originally had between 1/8 and 1/2 inch of play up and down, nothing left to right. After repacking and retorquing the bearings(as recommended by a retired Ford mechanic who ruled out ball joints as the cause) the play disappeared and the wheels were tight, no play at all.

Today I take it into an alignment shop and they tell me that both my lower ball joints are shot, my axle u-joints should be replaced, that one of my wheel bearings needs adjustment, and that I have a power steering leak. I explained to them that there was no play in the wheels, and they did not give me an answer. I picked up the Explorer, paid them $20 for their "inspection" and off I went.

I cannot find any play in any of the upper or lower ball joints, and the wheels are tight. Are they trying to shaft me? I dropped it off at another "chain" store this time, I'm waiting to hear back.

Any opinions?

 

[mikeinri]

You need to make them show you EXACTLY what they think is suspect while it's still ON THE LIFT!!! Then, you can decide for yourself whether you think they're screwing you over.

Good move to bring it to the second place. I hope you didn't tell them anything about the first place yet. If they come back with the same answer, and can show you something believable, that's a step in the right direction.

Good luck!!!

Mike

 

[n0c7]

Didn't mention a thing to the other place except that the wheel bearings were done and the wheels were tight. They checked it out, gave me a call and said that one of the wheel bearings had play, probably the nut had backed off a bit after I finished, or I put one of the bearings in on an angle. They said I can take it home, adjust and come back, or let them do it. I just let them do it for convenience. After the fact I talked to them and they said everything else was fine, no play in the ball joints at all. The only issue is that they cannot correct the camber back to range without shims/camber kits. The guys there were reasonable and seemed honest - they said for a vehicle with such high mileage its not worth spending the money to get the alignment that perfect. Instead of a sharp pull to the right, it'll be a drift to the right. The steering wheel stays straight and doesn't strain my hands. Considering this isn't even my vehicle and I've already gone enough out of my way, I think its case closed for now....

 

[jimbo74]

the shim kit costs 10 bucks..... they might charge $40 to install....

i would do it.. it might not be worth it to you, but tire life does suffer from bad alignment

 

[n0c7]

the shim kit costs 10 bucks..... they might charge $40 to install....

i would do it.. it might not be worth it to you, but tire life does suffer from bad alignment

They were quoting more like $300 with their labour. Not sure where they got their prices from. ****ty part is, it'll need to be aligned yet again if I go for it. The tires on this thing are 1.5 years old with a horrible pull, and the wear is barely noticable as this thing usually only goes to get groceries on the weekend. We're just hoping to get 2-3 more years out of it.

 

[mikeinri]

Sounds like you found a better place.

As for the shim, I would leave it until you are ready to replace those tires.

I went for years with shops telling me they got the alignment as close as they could, and I accepted that. Still got 75,000 miles out of my tires. Did this for two sets of tires. This last set of tires, they finally told me about the shims so I had them put on.

There isn't really an appreciable difference when driving, I think the numbers just look better on the alignment report.

Mike

 

[n0c7]

It still has some drift to the right, but it'll do the trick.