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They did what most alignment shops do,,, they "Set the Toe, and collect the Dough".
Overall you're fine though. It "might " have a tendency to dart because there is no toe in at all (or it might drive great), a little toe-in can help mask other slightly loose components by keeping everything pushing in one direction all the time. With no toe-in at all, a slightly loose joint (like a tie rod end) may cause the truck to dart or wander slightly.
Caster could be better (like 5-7 degrees would be more ideal, but changing it requires removal and replacement of a hard bushings, so most shops don't bother) but it is in a safe range where the steering wheel should re-center just fine.
In realty, you're probably way better aligned that 90% of solid front axles 4x4 trucks on the road.
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What I have now is a steering wheel that won't return to center automatically. Wheel turns fine, but feels like only 50% power steering. This is after a recently replacing all 4 ball joints, tie rod ends, tires, steering fluid, dual steering stabilizers, etc. I feel that the shop did not bleed the system properly/completely when the fluids were replaced. Tech feels that my PS pump is dying. I do hear a pretty pronounced whine from the engine bay when turning. Rear end felt squirmy (no sway bar in the rear) on wet pavement. Goes back to the shop tomorrow.
What I have now is a steering wheel that won't return to center automatically. Wheel turns fine, but feels like only 50% power steering. This is after a recently replacing all 4 ball joints, tie rod ends, tires, steering fluid, dual steering stabilizers, etc. I feel that the shop did not bleed the system properly/completely when the fluids were replaced. Tech feels that my PS pump is dying. I do hear a pretty pronounced whine from the engine bay when turning. Rear end felt squirmy (no sway bar in the rear) on wet pavement. Goes back to the shop tomorrow.
What do you expect the shop will tell you or do?
My crystal ball prediction is they will tell you nothing they did is wrong/ everything is normal and that you need more work (like replacing the whining power steering pump) and do nothing other that give you an opportunity to spend more money at their shop.
New tight ball joint and dual steering stabilizers will increase steering effort. And there have been reports of ball joints so bad now (Moog has been reported to have this issue among other brands) that they affect steering effort so greatly that the wheel will to return to center. The ball joints might get better with usage as they loosen up (or you might have to change ball joint brands if they are the culprit).
With almost 5* of caster your steering wheel should return to center fine. More caster would be better and help with the steering wheel return to center, but more caster also increases steering effort by itself too (because its always trying to re-center the wheels), so if you're already having issues in the steering effort department, more caster might not be the answer.
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Last edited by Antonm23; Mar 4, 2026 at 09:47 AM.
Reason: spelling/grammar
You are right in some ways. Shop's original recommendation was Moog. I declined that and bought all Mevotech components from Rockauto for them to install. I am pushing them to get it right, whatever it takes, and at their dime.
when my Excursion was done last year, the result pissed me off badly.
I handed them the Shims to set the caster to 4+ degrees.
the guy refused to use them, said he installed split something that allowed him to set Caster and Camber separately. sounds good, right?
I wanted Spicer stuff, he said it is all china now, don't matter, he used Moog.
result, takes TWO HANDS to steer it, and the return to center is mild at best.
I am going to have a different shop look at it
After they did the job
Last edited by John in OkieLand; Mar 4, 2026 at 02:00 PM.
You are right in some ways. Shop's original recommendation was Moog. I declined that and bought all Mevotech components from Rockauto for them to install. I am pushing them to get it right, whatever it takes, and at their dime.
You can probably do without one of the 2 steering stabilizers. I have had zero complaints with just my one that was inherited by the previous owner. Maybe have them remove one of them and evaluate from there.
Ford's intention was to have one anyway.
You can probably do without one of the 2 steering stabilizers. I have had zero complaints with just my one that was inherited by the previous owner. Maybe have them remove one of them and evaluate from there.
Ford's intention was to have one anyway.
All my previous Excursions had just one. This one came with 2, so I replaced them both. There's a 90 day return window, if I need to switch to a single stabilizer.
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