ball joints DIY?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 27, 2011 | 09:59 PM

#16

I fish

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 117

Likes: 0

From: location, location

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99expyTN

I took my Expedition to the Ford dealer today (big mistake) to have it aligned since I replaced the upper control arms. They called me back about 2 hours later and said the alignment was going to cost $270 because they needed to install a camber adjustment kit on the right upper control arm. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think all the "camber adjustment kit" is is an elongated washer with marks. I believe they use it with the bolt that attaches the upper control arm to the frame to move the upper control arm in and out to adjust the camber and/or caster.

Yea, the washers aren't cheap though, something like $40 per side at Advance Auto if i recall correctly. and yes, it just attaches to the upper control arm bolt.

Jun 28, 2011 | 06:19 AM

#17

99expyTN

Mountain Pass

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 191

Likes: 1

Ok, I checked AdvanceAuto and they sell a Moog kit (part K8740) which includes new bolt, nut, washer, and cam adjustment kit (washer with off-centered hole) for $28.99. I guess with Fords markup that kit would probably cost $90. I should have installed one when I installed the upper control arms.

Jun 28, 2011 | 06:26 PM

#18

alloro

Fleet Owner

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 24,319

Likes: 5,128

From: 0,0,1

Yeah you gotta watch the dealers and their outrageous prices. Just so I don't have problems down the road, I ordered a pair of rear lower control arm to replace mine. I ordered the ones without the bolts and figured I'd go get them at the dealer. When he told me $96 for the set of of 4 bolts and nuts, I told him I didn't want the gold ones. He was less amused less than I was. Anyways, I surfed on over to the Bolt Depot - Nuts and Bolts, Screws and Fasteners online and got the set of 4 bolts and nuts for under $25. BTW, the bolts are grade 10.9 and 16mm X 90mm for anyone that needs them (after mid-1998, before that they were 14mm).