$300 for an alignment?
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New User
Joined: Dec 2005
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$300 for an alignment?
I recently hit a mailbox in my 96 ranger with 4 wheel drive and screwed up the alignment a little bit. It still drives almost completly straight, but the steering wheel is turned about 35 degrees, so I decided to bring it in for a front end alignment. I originally got prices from about 40 to 75 dollars, until I told them what kind of vehicle it is. Now they want from 125 to 300 dollars. no joke. I read that the steering nuckle has to be shimmed for the caster of the wheel, but I think just the toe needs adjustment, Am I wrong? ANY input would be extremely appreciated. Anyone that knows about aligning this truck PLEASE HELP!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 2
From: Eastern WA
If the caster/camber are way off then they *might* have to replace an eccentric bushing with a different one. There is one bushing per side. Your shop prices seem unusually high; try a new shop. Bushing replacement is an adder should it be needed; discuss the price of this in advance. Nobody really knows what's going to happen untill they put it on the rack and hook up the alignment equipment. That is, unless one tire is visually way out of whack.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: Ventura ,ca. (near L.A.)
$50 is usually what it cost if it's just setting the tow, but if they have to jack with the caster/camber, it can get expensive, cause of the parts and labor.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,908
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
I got my 91 2wd realigned with the tires balanced and it came to 70 dollars and some change. I'd look around a little bit. Don't just ask one place. Look around to be sure you don't get jacked around.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 471
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From: Michigan
For just an alignment I agree, anything above $100 is asking a lot. I can't quite remember what *just* the alignment part cost when I went in the ditch, but I think the total bill was $88 and that included a replacement part somewhere in there! Shop around, there are a lot of dishonest people out there!
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