Alignment Woes
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Alignment Woes
I just installed new inner/outer tierods and lower ball joints on my '99 Explorer. I took it to Goodyear for an alignment and they are saying they need to add those camber kits cause there is no adjustment left. They said they would provide me the printouts of before and after to prove it. Does this sound legit? I went from spending $80 to $250 and I am just curious.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: NE Louisiana
Just went through something similar on my 01 Sport Trac. Had to install the camber kit for roughly an additional $130 bucks ($50 for the kit and $70 for the install, plus tax). Why Ford didn't install any adjustments just baffles me. 
It's not like Ford is getting any money from the alignment guy! 
Good Luck!
PS My ST drives a lot easier and straighter now. Hopefully the tire wear is gone too!
It's not like Ford is getting any money from the alignment guy! Good Luck!
PS My ST drives a lot easier and straighter now. Hopefully the tire wear is gone too!
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Las Vegas, NV
fireman,
what do they mean "there's no adjustment left?"
I owned a 92 explorer and have had a 98 xlt since new. My opinion is that the explorers prior to about 96 (perhaps before rack and pinion steering was available) had a lame design with a lack of alignment capabilities, often requiring a kit or shims added. After that, they had excellent range to satisfy caster, camber, toe in and toe out. Proper alignment has always been a pet peeve of mine and I've never had a problem with that on my 98.
what do they mean "there's no adjustment left?"
I owned a 92 explorer and have had a 98 xlt since new. My opinion is that the explorers prior to about 96 (perhaps before rack and pinion steering was available) had a lame design with a lack of alignment capabilities, often requiring a kit or shims added. After that, they had excellent range to satisfy caster, camber, toe in and toe out. Proper alignment has always been a pet peeve of mine and I've never had a problem with that on my 98.
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Joined: May 2006
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Originally Posted by 98xlt
fireman,
what do they mean "there's no adjustment left?"
I owned a 92 explorer and have had a 98 xlt since new. My opinion is that the explorers prior to about 96 (perhaps before rack and pinion steering was available) had a lame design with a lack of alignment capabilities, often requiring a kit or shims added.
what do they mean "there's no adjustment left?"
I owned a 92 explorer and have had a 98 xlt since new. My opinion is that the explorers prior to about 96 (perhaps before rack and pinion steering was available) had a lame design with a lack of alignment capabilities, often requiring a kit or shims added.
It is my opinion that Ford changed to rack/pinion in part because the alignments sucked on this design. I just had mine aligned again after changing out all 4 ball joints...still pulls to the right. Shop said it's bad tires...could be with 53K on the BFG's.
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The later model Explorers use fixed rectangular washers in the upper control arms for setting the camber. The washers can have different hole offsets depending what camber was required at the factory. The trouble is, there's no way to adjust the camber unless a camber kit is installed. The camber kit consists of eccentric type washers that can be rotated to set the camber.
The kits aren't that expensive, IIRC, but of course the shops have to charge for the extra labor involved to install them.
The kits aren't that expensive, IIRC, but of course the shops have to charge for the extra labor involved to install them.
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