I just replaced the ball joints and bearings in the front end and I'm thinking I should get an alignment, or atleast get it checked. I called around for pricing, Belle Tire and Firestone were pretty comparable, but I found, through word of mouth, a real good "frame shop" in my area, that apparently does the best alignments around. They are almost double the price of the other 2 places though. The truck doesn't feel to be way out of whack, but I think it needs a little adjustment. Where should I take it? Save a buck and go to belle tire, or spend the money on a guarenteed good one? I've never needed an alignment on any of my vehicles so I'm not sure how bad these people can mess them up. What do you guys think?

Also, do I need a 4 wheel or just a 2 wheel? I've heard of people paying for 4 wheel alignments but there isn't anything to adjust back there on some vehicles..

 

Computerized alignments are computerized alignments IMO. Use your best judgement and take it to the guy you get a good vibe from. You probably only need a front end alignment. Once the fronts done though you can measure front hub to rear hub on each side and check for rear alignment that way.


Hats off to you too. BJ's are no fun to replace.

 

You should question them as to exactly what they intend to do to "align" it.

If they will only set the toe then take it somewhere else, you can set the toe yourself with a tape measure. Some places that is all they can and will do on these trucks.

Myself given the choices you mentioned I'd lean hard toward the frame shop, don't have much or any faith in Belle or Firestone tire. However that would depend on the guy that would actually do the work, and then only after I spoke with him to get a feel for his skill set would I decide.

Wouldn't no minimum wage young kid with little to no experience working from a book do it no, the IFS/TTB is not a easy axle to align properly.

 

You dont need a rear end alignment because there are no adjustments back there. I used to do my own alignments at Honda, I have the IFS and its not hard to do. As for taking it in somewhere, the toe is an easy thing to align and better to do on a rack, IMO, and as for the camber and caster if thats out you will need shim kits. I worked at Tire Kingdom for a while and they did it there. Ask for the printout and watch them do the alignment though because ill be honest, ive seen people just hold the wheel over a little to make the computer read it in spec, then hit print so it comes out good even though its still off. Just some advice.

 

Thank you sir. I actually went in to replace the front U joints because they were completely shot. I figured while I was in there, I'd do everything else along with it. It wasn't too bad, just took a lot of heat and big wrenches!

Firestone looks tempting, because they have a premium alignment package which includes unlimited alignments for the life of the vehicle for like $140. The 'frame shop' is $146 for a 4 wheel alignment, but if I only need a front alignment, that would almost cut that number in half I would assume.

I plan on putting 2" leveling coils and 33's on the the truck next summer, but I don't think I should wait until then for an alignment. So if I go to Firestone, I can just go back again in the spring for a 'free' alignment.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll be watchin whoever does it like a hawk, that's for sure. I still haven't decided on who to bring it too, but I know I hate giving these chain stores money..

 

When I do front end work, like you I just installed ball joints on my 94 couple days ago, I keep a close eye on the tires after wards and see if they wear funny or not.

I do recheck the toe with a tape and set it to 1/8" if it changed any after installing the new parts. I look at how the wheels sit from the front view as well, want them slightly leaning out at the top.
If all looks good and the tires are not getting stepped or scrubbed off I just run it.

And no you do not need or get a 4 wheel alignment, no rear adjustments to be made. Unless of course you have a bent frame/rear axle, or reason to think you might have that is.

 

I have been told, and come to believe, that many shops don't know, and are not interested in learning, how to align the now-discontinued Ford TTB front ends. I paid a bunch of money for a BJ replacement and front end alignment at the best shop in the area, 9 years ago, and I've never regretted it since. The alignment came out perfect and stayed that way, despite my hitting a couple of curbs (at slow speed--don't ask) and, well, 9 years of use.

When I quizzed the expensive shop before they did the work, the guy said this to me, and it put my qualms to rest:

"Look--there are a lot more easier ways for me to actually make money than to align Ford's twin-I-beam suspension. Believe me--I know! They are not easy to get right--but when I'm done, it'll be right."

And it was. The tires wore perfectly until I got rid of the truck.

Also, don't forget that your mpg will be negatively affected by a poor alignment, so even if it doesn't look "out," I would get it done.

Lastly, I'm not impressed just because they're a "frame shop." I would check with some local 4x4 enthusiasts, or other "truck guys" who you trust, as to which shop is the better qualified, for the TTB. If it is your "frame shop," then so much the better. But you might just get directed to a TTB expert, which is where I'd be headed, if I needed an alignment.

I am definitely going back to the expensive guys, if/when my "new" (to me) truck needs another alignment.

Oh, and I wouldn't expect the price to be 1/2 of the four wheel alignment price. A good shop will hang the mirrors off of all four wheels anyway, just to check for problems/damage (or just to get the shot right? I dunno....), as has been mentioned in this thread, and a significant amount of the labor is involved in just setting up the machine, even if there's nothing to adjust back there. JMO.

And definitely tell them you want a copy of the printout (as was suggested), before they do the job. I think it telegraphs your interest in them actually doing a good job....

Best of luck.

Big Six

 

Yes, a 4 wheel alignment and a 2 wheel alignment are virtually the same thing. No cost different, just work difference. If you want to get picky with it, I guess the guys who have front and rear adjustments make out. But, I dont mind it. I dont have a $50,000 machine.

 

Well I'm a bit new to the area, so I don't have the 'connections' like I did when I lived in the U.P. I've scrapped the idea of going to a chain store. I'm realizing there is a lot more involved, and I definitely want it done right. The 'frame shop' seems like a pretty stand up place, a place that will do it right but I'm going to put the alignment tech on the spot before he does anything. If he seems a little iffy, I'll do some more searchin around. I appreciate all the good feedback guys.

On a side note, I just bought the truck and the previous owner said the tires on the vehicle are pretty new. The back two look brand new, the front left one looks decent, and the front right one looks horrible. There is definitely something going on with the alignment, or he didn't replace all the tires...

 

My truck does that also. I have an 88 F-150 with the 4.9 and the single shocks. I was told the engine is just real heavy and with turning or something it makes the front tires wear. The left one wears pretty good but the right one is just ridiculous. Maybe someone with some more knowledge about this can chime in. Id like to know how to fix this as well.

 

I have the same truck but a 95. That's interesting. I wonder if the quad shock trucks do it too. What's the theory behind quad shocks anyways?

http://www.haroldsframeshop.com/
FYI. Here is the website to the shop. Seems legit.

 

I dont think the quad shocks do it. But thats the thing.. I think it might have something to do with the support in the front end. I dont know what you have but the 4.9 is a heavy freakin engine and I know a lot of the trucks did come with quad shocks.. however mine did not. Maybe all the weight just puts a lot more wear in the tires, and I think the engine sits a little off center onto the passenger side but I could be wrong about that. This is all just my speculation though.

They seem like an all around shop. For them to have all that equipment for service they have got to do something right. Just reading it they seem like friendly people so im sure if you have doubts they will talk to you and maybe even let you see them do a few alignments to ease your fears a bit.

 

Volvo,

I know we're just both trying to help the OP, so please don't take this the wrong way, okay?

But I really do not think the additional 100-200 lbs that the Big Six weighs, over a SB V-8, is the problem. Why?

I had (for nine years) the exact same year and model truck as you--a 1988 F-150 with SINGLE SHOCKS and the 4.9 Six. My tires wore perfectly, always, for nine years, on the one (expensive) alignment I paid for right after I bought it (described earlier in this post).

And I agree with you that the shocks are not involved, be they single or quad--shocks don't support that engine, as they're just dampers--the springs hold up the weight.

But as for the engine just being too heavy for the Twin I-Beam (or TTB, as it was known, in later years) suspension--respectfully, no way.

Again, I had the same truck/shocks/engine combo--and never had a single problem with alignment or tire wear.

Secondly, the Twin I-Beam suspension came out in the early-mid Sixties, along with the the Big Six's first iteration, as a smaller-bore 240 cu. in--but in the same block. This truck and engine combo had rougly a 30 year run together, until 1996. IF what you suggest was true, we would know it already (and my truck would have suffered the same fate).

Again, we're both just trying to help the OP, so I'm certainly not attacking YOU--I'm not attacking anything, actually--just respectfully saying I do not think your theory would apply to this situation. Though, certainly some engine/chassis combos have proven to be ill-designed, and required heavier springs, at least in some passenger cars.

I think a good front end shop, that does TTB jobs frequently (and WELL) would straighten out both of your trucks, as it did mine.

Good luck to all.

Big Six

 

No problem Big Six. I am not trying to hijack the thread but merrily trying to help out the OP. He mentioned wear and I also have it, I was hoping someone with more experience/knowledge would butt in. But, it was also related to him, not me leading onto something else. It has to do with his (possible) alignment issue.

 

I was over at Jeff's Bronco Graveyard to pick up some parts, and asked them who they recommended in the area. They said 'Harold's Frame Shop' is the only shop they would recommend. They do an awesome job on the TTB, he said. So it looks like they will get my business. Thanks for all the help guys! I'm glad I didn't just go to Belle Tire and get a half assed alignment.