Car alignment needed?

[himolin1]

Hey everyone. I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport SUV. And I noticed that the driver's side is significantly lower than the passenger side, the car is also kinda shaky when it hits 60. Will car alignment help to resolve this?

 

[rmcalis]

The height problem can probably be corrected by a torsion bar adjustment. The shaking can be caused by a number of things. When the shop does the torsion bar adjustment, have them do a wheel alignment and four wheel balance. This will correct any problem associated with the height change and will ferret out any other loose/broken front end suspension parts which can cause a shake.

 

[Joe Dirt]

If it is sitting lower in the rear on the drivers side, it is a rear spring issue. They wear out, and sag on that side, most of the weight is over there. You can make up some of it with a TT (torsion twist) but the only way to completely get rid of it is to do some spring work back there.

If you haven't replaced any of the front end components, i.e. ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, you will get that shake. You can jack up the car, and shake the wheel 3-9 or 12-6, you have loose parts, and need to replace them. If you look at the front of the truck and it looks like this: /-----\ you probably have worn out parts too.

 

[himolin1]

If it is sitting lower in the rear on the drivers side, it is a rear spring issue. They wear out, and sag on that side, most of the weight is over there. You can make up some of it with a TT (torsion twist) but the only way to completely get rid of it is to do some spring work back there.

If you haven't replaced any of the front end components, i.e. ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, you will get that shake. You can jack up the car, and shake the wheel 3-9 or 12-6, you have loose parts, and need to replace them. If you look at the front of the truck and it looks like this: /-----\ you probably have worn out parts too.

Thank you for the advice. I went to TirePlus, and did a car alignment, now the height issue is fixed. They also informed me that I need to replace the rod end. They let me shook the tire and it was really loose. They charged a total of 200 for the alignment and rod end replacement. Do you guys think it is worth it? The problem is indeed fixed, the car is just a little bumpy sometimes, they said the tires are about the worn out (about 4 years old), I kind noticed it, but not sure to spend 600 dollars replacing all the tires.

 

[JohnnyO]

They charged a total of 200 for the alignment and rod end replacement. Do you guys think it is worth it?

Sounds about right to me.

they said the tires are about the worn out (about 4 years old), I kind noticed it, but not sure to spend 600 dollars replacing all the tires.

You're going to have to get new tires eventually. Tire prices have gone up a lot in the last year. Try Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, look for sales in the paper in the Sunday sports section. TireRack.com is cheap but you have to add $15 to $20 per tire shipping and a shop will charge at least $10 per tire to mount and balance and dispose of your old tires.