Alignment: Educate Me
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 441
Likes: 5
Alignment: Educate Me
What do I need to know about getting an alignment done on my 2003 X? I don't want to be sold a bill of goods I don't need. With as bad as the Michigan roads are, does the Firestone lifetime alignment for $200 make sense? The dealer I called wants $69.95.
Also, it sounds like my unit hub bearings are going out in the front. I have a howling noise that is getting progressively worse. Do the bearings affect the alignment?
Also, it sounds like my unit hub bearings are going out in the front. I have a howling noise that is getting progressively worse. Do the bearings affect the alignment?
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Reno, NV
Can't speak to prices but bearings will definitely effect alignment, if they are bad you should change them first, as well as ball joints if you need those.
Basically the Ball joints hold the assembly that the bearings ride in, then the bearings hold the wheel to that assembly. Because an alignment is usually measured off the outside of the Rim, anything that effects the position of the rim will have an impact on alignment.
Basically the Ball joints hold the assembly that the bearings ride in, then the bearings hold the wheel to that assembly. Because an alignment is usually measured off the outside of the Rim, anything that effects the position of the rim will have an impact on alignment.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
IF you have 2wd, the only additional complexity to an alignment is the caster/camber adjustment requires replacement of the non-adjustable stock part that holds the ball joint.
With the Excursion (or crew-cab 8' pickup) make sure your alignment shop has the "large" alignment machine - many in my area can't do an alignment on the excursion because it's too long for their "car-sized" machine..
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...mber-kits.html
With the Excursion (or crew-cab 8' pickup) make sure your alignment shop has the "large" alignment machine - many in my area can't do an alignment on the excursion because it's too long for their "car-sized" machine..
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...mber-kits.html
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 441
Likes: 5
IF you have 2wd, the only additional complexity to an alignment is the caster/camber adjustment requires replacement of the non-adjustable stock part that holds the ball joint.
With the Excursion (or crew-cab 8' pickup) make sure your alignment shop has the "large" alignment machine - many in my area can't do an alignment on the excursion because it's too long for their "car-sized" machine..
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...mber-kits.html
With the Excursion (or crew-cab 8' pickup) make sure your alignment shop has the "large" alignment machine - many in my area can't do an alignment on the excursion because it's too long for their "car-sized" machine..
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...mber-kits.html
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
You should create a signature (the banner across the bottom of a post) that details you Ex's vitals - so folks know your engine/drivetrain and any lift/upgrades that can be helpful in the future.. (User CP across the top, then Edit Signature). 
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 458
Likes: 2
From: The Northwoods, Wisconsin
I have two vehicles with over 300,000 miles and their first alignments were done at Firestone. LifeTime alignment for those were a good deal for me. I think I paid $90 at the time back in the mid-nineties. If you plan on keeping the Excursion for a few more years, do it. When you replace parts, freebie........
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