Sure, if you're dealing with a mix of old/new parts, and customers who only want to fix the bare minimum. I do all my own my own work, and I make sure that everything worn is replaced, and there are no rusty/frozen bolts for the alignment guy. Everything is liberally anti-seized/greased as appropriate. I also go out of way to spend extra money on the better/easier to use aligment parts, which are pre-installed by me, before I show up. There is no excuse for sloppy work, not on a car/truck I bring in.
The instructions that came with the moog double adjustment bushings, for my '93 Ranger 4x4 specifically state to do just that. No, that procedure is not applicable to all vehicles, but in the case of 1st gen Explorer/Ranger TTB, that's the right way to do. The charts that come with the bushings are based on starting with a neutral/zero adjustment reading first. Those bushing do in fact have a "neutral" position, which means the bushing has no effect on alignment. At that point, you see what you have, then consult the appropriate row/column on the chart, for where you want the caster/camber, set the inner/outer bushing, then re-check.
Of course, most knucklehead grease monkeys want to ignore the instructions, and just blindly twist the adjusters till the machine "says" its close enough.
Assuming the suspension is in good shape, following the instructions properly will yield a very precise alignment.
Ignoring them, and "ham *******" it will result in "oh well, that's the best we can do"
I have a local shop that sort of just let's me do it myself. They set it up initially, then I make the adjustment. The problem is they *****,and try to rush me, if I want to do the zero first. I also only get one shot. They start complaining if I want to fine tune it. Again, I get stuck with "close enough"
Sure, but not when I spend THOUSANDS replacing, literally, everything in the suspension, front to back. I know its not the car/trucks fault. At least not with my cars/trucks. It's lazy or just plain bad mechanics not wanting to do the job they're being overpaid for.
I'm seriously considering this:
http://www.quicktrickalignment.com/shop/
I already have a bubble caster camber gauge and toe plates. I would just need to make some kind of adapter for the bubble gauge.
However, I don't have a flat/level area to work, or turn plates. Right now, I'm working on rocky, lumpy, dirt.
Between this, and a tire machine and balancer, I'd never need to go to a shop again.
