how to get a GOOD alignment?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 435
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From: MASS
how to get a GOOD alignment?
ever since a certain ford dealer drove my truck into there lift
blew out a tire- replaced all 4 tires and suposedly aligned it
it has rode like crap
it has a shimmy in the wheel on the highway\it wanders on the highway and
around town\ it has some minor vibration
now b4 they did this it rode nice- I was actually quite happy with the smooth
ride onthe highway
do I go to another ford dealer or find a good private shop for alignment?
this dealer in question suposedly has the best road force balancing equipment
either they dont know how to use it or it is outa whack-- my old tires rode much smoother
2005 f350 4x4
thanks for any advice
Josh
also--they put the 4 new tires on at 11000 miles
now Im at 14000 miles--- are the tires still under warrantee?
do I have another 12000 from when they were put on?
blew out a tire- replaced all 4 tires and suposedly aligned it
it has rode like crap
it has a shimmy in the wheel on the highway\it wanders on the highway and
around town\ it has some minor vibration
now b4 they did this it rode nice- I was actually quite happy with the smooth
ride onthe highway
do I go to another ford dealer or find a good private shop for alignment?
this dealer in question suposedly has the best road force balancing equipment
either they dont know how to use it or it is outa whack-- my old tires rode much smoother
2005 f350 4x4
thanks for any advice
Josh
also--they put the 4 new tires on at 11000 miles
now Im at 14000 miles--- are the tires still under warrantee?
do I have another 12000 from when they were put on?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
Please explain about them running into the lift?(what did the hit or damage )
They may have bent something in the front axle area or steering components
Does this dealer have alignment machines? What kind Lazer 4wheel.
Have you had anyone ride behind you to make sure the truck isn't dog tracking?
What tires did they put on ?hoping not Conti's.
Stay after this dealer to make it right
Rich
They may have bent something in the front axle area or steering components
Does this dealer have alignment machines? What kind Lazer 4wheel.
Have you had anyone ride behind you to make sure the truck isn't dog tracking?
What tires did they put on ?hoping not Conti's.
Stay after this dealer to make it right
Rich
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Joined: Aug 2005
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I agree with the comments above. No authorized Ford dealer worth their weight in salt should leave you in this position. Having just replaced tie rods, drag link members and ball joints on a 99 PSD though, I think the first things I'd check are those steering and suspension components: (1) Look at the drag link bar - make sure you don't have play or any aparent damage, (2) Ball joints (especially factory non-greasers) can just start being a problem if they have gone dry over time and you happen to hit something serious, (3) Check out your sterring stabilizer - look at the piston rod and if it appears to be bent (off roaders damage these often due to placement and clearance to ground issues). I'd also give your coils and leaf springs a once over to be sure you have no breakage or the height to ground seems odd. In any event - the dealership should address to your satisfaction and I'd push that seriously - you pay through the nose with them but the one thing that should guarantee is things like this don't happen.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 93
From: VA/NH
Originally Posted by brianas
ever since a certain ford dealer
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 435
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From: MASS
ha ha suprisingly enough it wasnt gervais this time
but lets just say that I live within 1/2 mile of gervais and
still I choose to go else where
they hit the passenger front wheel on there lift
the wheel looks fine think they just blew out the tire
I visually looked everything over and did the old jack up and shake
it all seems tight --
the alignment just seems off to me
I have doubts they even aligned it all- and seeing as they would not give me a service slip I dont know for sure
After the drive shaft fiasco at this dealer - I am reluctant to even think of bringing my truck back there ever. The odds are sadly they will do more harm than good to your vehicle while its there.
I wish I could just align it myself-- so I would know its right on
Josh
and yes they replaced the crappy contis with new crappy contis
but lets just say that I live within 1/2 mile of gervais and
still I choose to go else where
they hit the passenger front wheel on there lift
the wheel looks fine think they just blew out the tire
I visually looked everything over and did the old jack up and shake
it all seems tight --
the alignment just seems off to me
I have doubts they even aligned it all- and seeing as they would not give me a service slip I dont know for sure
After the drive shaft fiasco at this dealer - I am reluctant to even think of bringing my truck back there ever. The odds are sadly they will do more harm than good to your vehicle while its there.
I wish I could just align it myself-- so I would know its right on
Josh
and yes they replaced the crappy contis with new crappy contis
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
There have been alot of people very unhappy with conti's on their trucks.
I guess your going to have to find another dealer that you like and trust
Rich
I guess your going to have to find another dealer that you like and trust
Rich
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
These days if they can't provide a slip with all the measurements, go elsewhere.
Of course, if you're trying to get it done under warranty, you're stuck with a dealer, but even they can "send it out" to have it done.
Of course, if you're trying to get it done under warranty, you're stuck with a dealer, but even they can "send it out" to have it done.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
I would check your yellow pages for truck spring shops. There are several in Cincinnati where I live and they have the equipment and the expertise to get you both checked out and fixed. Most will have the ability to work on our trucks since they are used in a lot of service equipment fleets.
Dave / Believer45
Dave / Believer45
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 93
From: VA/NH
I had a Boxster a few years back and the Sears auto center at Searstown mall did a great job aligning it. That's allot tougher than our trucks too. They have some real nice laser equipment. The problem is, like anywhere, getting the right tech is a crap shoot. As far as dealers go... good luck. Portsmouth Ford seems like a real good operation, but I can't vouch for their service dept. Too far away too...