03 Taurus Won't Align
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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03 Taurus Won't Align
I have a 2003 Taurus Wagon with several problems. I'll list them:
1. Won't align- I've had it done at least 4 times and it still pulls.
2. Extremely fast ball joint wear- got new ones put on and they wore out in 1000 miles
3. slight crunching over bumps
4. shimmy in the steering at speeds over 55
Anyone know whats going on? My theory is that I bent the suspension somehow, but I could be totally off. Also, most important- is it safe to take on a 2000 mile road trip? The ball joint issue really worrys me...
1. Won't align- I've had it done at least 4 times and it still pulls.
2. Extremely fast ball joint wear- got new ones put on and they wore out in 1000 miles
3. slight crunching over bumps
4. shimmy in the steering at speeds over 55
Anyone know whats going on? My theory is that I bent the suspension somehow, but I could be totally off. Also, most important- is it safe to take on a 2000 mile road trip? The ball joint issue really worrys me...
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
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check the tires.
make sure the rack bushings are in good shape.
use QUALITY balljoints. not the cheap auto zone crap. use MOOG.
check the wheel base, side to side.
also, try a different align shop, and TALK to the techs working on it.
on that car, the camber isnt adjustable. (the tech SHOULD be telling you, if the camber is off or not....) so if its off, the only thing they can do is set the toe. if its been wrecked, the steering knuckles bend VERY easily, and will throw the camber off.
most times the wheel base is off aswell. so check that.
make sure the rack bushings are in good shape.
use QUALITY balljoints. not the cheap auto zone crap. use MOOG.
check the wheel base, side to side.
also, try a different align shop, and TALK to the techs working on it.
on that car, the camber isnt adjustable. (the tech SHOULD be telling you, if the camber is off or not....) so if its off, the only thing they can do is set the toe. if its been wrecked, the steering knuckles bend VERY easily, and will throw the camber off.
most times the wheel base is off aswell. so check that.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 1
From: sunny fla sometimes windy
Have you done the inner tie rod ends? The ones that go into the rack in pinion is
what I am talking about. You need a gigantic socket to get to them and they will
cause all kinds of havoc when worn out and just replacing the outer ends will not fix.
Also check the mounts of the rack and pinion and see if there is any wear or looseness
there.
what I am talking about. You need a gigantic socket to get to them and they will
cause all kinds of havoc when worn out and just replacing the outer ends will not fix.
Also check the mounts of the rack and pinion and see if there is any wear or looseness
there.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: Port Coquitlam, BC Canada
Have you done the inner tie rod ends? The ones that go into the rack in pinion is
what I am talking about. You need a gigantic socket to get to them and they will
cause all kinds of havoc when worn out and just replacing the outer ends will not fix.
Also check the mounts of the rack and pinion and see if there is any wear or looseness
there.
what I am talking about. You need a gigantic socket to get to them and they will
cause all kinds of havoc when worn out and just replacing the outer ends will not fix.
Also check the mounts of the rack and pinion and see if there is any wear or looseness
there.
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