Replaced ball joints
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 580
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From: Kelseyville, CA
Replaced ball joints
When I replaced my lower ball joints a month ago, I definately needed an alignment. My Explorer still went straight but I could feel the drag from the tires being pointed in too much. They also squeeled at very slow speeds whenever I turned. Unless whoever put your ball joints on got real lucky, you probably should get it aligned. Are you sure the shop didn't include the alignment as part of the ball joint replacement? Which ones did they replace (upper, lower or both sets)? An alignment is a lot cheaper than tires. Check your alignement paperwork, many have a warranty. If it was just done three days ago, they may cover it.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Kelseyville, CA
Replaced ball joints
Since the upper control arms have to be replaced along with the upper ball joints what is to guarantee that the new passenger side upper control arm goes right back into the exact alignment as the old one? The two bolts go through slots that are about 2" long. It would seem that if you are off by just a fraction of an inch when putting the new one on at least the front tire could wind up in a different angle than it was in originally. When I did my lower ball joints, I removed the lower control arms to make it easier to press the ball joints out and in. When I put everything back together the alignment definately changed. I don't have any adjuster cams on mine since they are only installed when an alignment is done and then only if they are needed to bring the aligngment back into specs. The only thin off on mine was the toe-in which the cams wouldn't have helped anyway. The caster and camber were still right in the middle of the factory specs.
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 68
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From: webster
Replaced ball joints
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-Nov-02 AT 11:38 PM (EST)]My mechanic replaced my upper+lower ball joints and doesn't have the capibality to do a alignment at his shop,He also replaced the drivers belt for a total of $305.00..I decided to take it back to sears today to get it aligned again.(I don't want to have to buy tires in 4 months again)However i have to bring it back Saturday.The cams on both sides need replacing.He said the left was way off(negative reading) and explained it to me.I remeber looking at that tire thinking it was in an angle.,And that it will drive straight but eat up the tire.,Anyways that is another $200 bucks.So this week was a $1,100.00 week..I just have real bad luck buying cars i guess.I thank you all for your comments and support..
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Kelseyville, CA
Replaced ball joints
Sears will warrant their alignments unless you have altered your suspension in some way like I have done. My alignment at Sears was only $57. They should still warrant your aligment. If they performed a front end alignment 3 days ago when you had bad ball joints then they should cover a new alignment with good ball joints. They are supposed to make sure the suspension components are in good condition before doing the alignment. Did they not know you needed new ball joints or did they warn you of the bad ball joints and you elected to go ahead and have them try and align it?
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: webster
Replaced ball joints
They told me that the ball joints are on the way out and would need replacment in the near future.Without thinking i was going to have them replaced a couple days later i had them do the alignment to protect the new tires because it pulled to the right.So the alignment wasn't covered under the warrenty i guess..
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Kelseyville, CA
Replaced ball joints
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Nov-02 AT 11:04 AM (EST)]The alignment wouldn't be covered under warranty only if they wrote it down on your ticket. Mine is lifted and Sears noticed it right away. The guy advised me that my alignment woudn't come with a warranty and I agreed. When I went to pick up my Explorer, it was written right on my ticket that they advised me that my alignment wasn't warranted. If they didn't write it on yours, you have the right to go in and ask them to check it again under warranty. Of course if they didn't need the cam adjusters the first time and now you do, they will charge you for them which would explain your $200 cost for the alignment. The $200 should only be one time. It appears that you paid that the first time (which for the price should have included the cam adjusters). If you did then you don't need the adjusters again, you already have them. My Sears alignment was only $57 but I did not need the adjusters.
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: webster
Replaced ball joints
Ok i got 3 papers from then one was the bill with the tires and whatnot charges.Another paper was a quality sevice communication paper which says the following conditions have been identified.=slight play in upper ball joint rf suggest replacment.,And on the alignment printout a note says: requires magna kits to correct neg camber readings.I don't see anywhere were it says it is not covered under warrenty.The alignment costed me $59.99...
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I had the upper and lower ball joints replaced and brought it back for the alignment and thats when they brought the cambers to my attention.So the bill breaks down as parts $12.99 x 2 Labor $55.00 x 2 and the $59.99 for the alignment + tax...
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I had the upper and lower ball joints replaced and brought it back for the alignment and thats when they brought the cambers to my attention.So the bill breaks down as parts $12.99 x 2 Labor $55.00 x 2 and the $59.99 for the alignment + tax...
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Kelseyville, CA
Replaced ball joints
OK, so they did your first alignment for $59.99 and suggested that you purchase new ball joints and the cam adjuster kits? Then you went and got new ball joints and now that you need a new alignment you are going to have them put in the cam adjuster kit as well? If that is the case, then you would have had to pay to have the kits put in anyway whether you did it on the first or the second alignment. You should see if they will throw in the alignment ($59.99) if you pay them to put in the kit. I don't think it was responsible on their part to do an alignment knowing you needed new ball joints and a cam adjustment kit without doing them as well. That should be your basis for having them at least cover the alignment. Sears' customer service is pretty good so you should get it.
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: webster
Replaced ball joints
The customer service guy refunded me $59.99 without me even asking.When i made the appointment to bring it in he mentioned it and the manager said the alignment wasn't under warrenty.Well today i picjked it up and the guy gave me the $59.99 refund.He said i should of never been charged.Anyways i might have to bring it back to them.When i go straight my wheel is a little to the right.If i hold the wheel straight the vehicle goes to the left slowly..All i did was go down a bumpy dirt road.Yes 1 other thing after going down that road my wheel seems to turn much easier.
