A little nervous about doing this!
I went for an alignment today & the Mech called me over to look @ my LBJs. He put a crowbar under the tire and lifted the tire about a 1/2". The rig was on a lift. He told me I had to get new LBJs. Quoted me $350 for the job.
Do to unexpected bills, I cant afford that. I asked him to just get the alignment as close as he could, and he obliged me. He said it was almost spot on, but I need to get the LBJs replaced asap.
He did not wiggle from top or bottom of the tire, is what he showed me correct? Should I trust that he just did that up/down visual to make it a selling point for a replacement? Is a 1/2" a lot of play?
SO, after reading most of this thread, I am toying with the idea of tackling this job myself. Thing is, I'm nervous as hell! Should I wait till I can get the money, or
if I try to do this, can I get some help while I am doing this from my Explorer family out there in the forum? I will put my laptop on the tool tray! I never, ever tried to work on suspension b/4! I can yank a motor, swap a tranny, replace a coolant system, and a varity of others, but I will be exploring a new frontier.
The alignment cant change, since the new joint is placed identically to the old one.
. Then did the "Poor Man's Alignment" with the string wrapped around the tires. looks ok,the steering wheel is even pretty centered,not dead spot on but pretty close,but still a little bit of this / \ with the tires and some wierd steering feeling going over bumps and such,kind of pulls (yanks almost) there doesnt seem to be any play in the steering;the tires move right away when wheel is turned when I was doing the toe in/out.
