4x4 Front End Alignment
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
4x4 Front End Alignment
I've gotta get my big girl to the shop and get her aligned. She's really wanting to pull to the right when going down the road, so I need to get that looked at. I am starting to see the outer wear on the passenger's side tire.
With this 95,000 mile-old 4x4 front end, is there anything that the alignment shop might run into that's going to cost some serious bucks? I guess the balljoints are the most expensive part of the front end as far as alignment goes. What would a set of those run if worst comes to worst?
Nightrain
With this 95,000 mile-old 4x4 front end, is there anything that the alignment shop might run into that's going to cost some serious bucks? I guess the balljoints are the most expensive part of the front end as far as alignment goes. What would a set of those run if worst comes to worst?
Nightrain
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you may be looking at about 350 to have your ball joints done, just make sure whoever does them puts greese zerts in the new ball joints so you can greese them properly. also if you have the lower ball joint replaced have them replace the upper while they are at it, and vise versa, if you are gonna pay the labor to tear it down to do one you might as well do the other right a way, you'll save in the long run.
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
I might do it myself if it doesn't require that many tools. What all is required and involved for installing new upper and lower ball joints? I looked up the price on the joints and they're not that bad. I can handle the price of the joints. I just hope that it's not going to cost a fortune to fix if they are shot. Hopefully they're not shot in the first place...
Nightrain
Nightrain
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From: tacoma-wa
i need to replace mine and have been looking into it lately i hear it is a pain to do but it doable, everyone said that they would have it done by a shop but i don't have that kind of money at the moment i will hopefully do it this weekend and ill post on how it goes good luck
justin
justin
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From: Mid-Missouri
Also be prepared for an expensive alignment.
The camber or castor was out on mine and the bill was almost $300. The parts aren't expensive but the procedure to align can take a while.
Typical problem with Ford TTB (Twin Traction Beams) front end.
The camber or castor was out on mine and the bill was almost $300. The parts aren't expensive but the procedure to align can take a while.
Typical problem with Ford TTB (Twin Traction Beams) front end.
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From: Safford, Arizona
Originally Posted by Nightrain
Sounds like a job. How do you know when the ball joints are worn out?
Nightrain
Nightrain
Jack up the front tire you want to test, put a hand on top of the tire, and one on bottom, and push in on top while pulling out on the bottom, and vice-versa. If it moves at all, they are worn.
I had mine replaced a while back- what I did was to pull everything off myself, buy the new joints and then just took the knuckle (is that the right name?) down to the machine shop and had them press the old ball joints out, and the new ones in. Then I took them home and reassembled it all. Saves labor $ while still having the joints pressed in professionally.
If I ever had to do it again, I'd probably try to do it all myself. Good Luck.
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
I have heard some things of these TTB front ends slipping out of place after they're aligned. Is this true? I don't want something that's going to have to stay in the shop all of the time...
Nightrain
Nightrain
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
That's good to hear. I have heard some pretty sad stories about the TTB's, but hopefully everything will work out fine 
.
I'm going to test the ball joints this weekend and make an appointment for an alignment for mid-week. I'll let you guys know how everything turns out.
Nightrain
.I'm going to test the ball joints this weekend and make an appointment for an alignment for mid-week. I'll let you guys know how everything turns out.
Nightrain
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