tried to get an alignment !!!!
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 6
From: Ketchikan, AK.
tried to get an alignment !!!!
hi all, i took the truck into the local alignment shop to get it worked on after installing an autospring leveling kit and 325 60 18 tires. well, the guy called and said he couldnt align the truck or center the steering wheel, since i somehow managed to mess up the passenger lower control arm mount while i was jacking the truck during the leveling install.... so i guess these trucks arent quite as tough underneath as i had thought. the craziest thing is that i always use a block of wood between the jack and truck. so, now i need a new camber kit in order to get it all corrected. as it is, she pulls to the right pretty good. so i guess the moral of this story is just to make sure that you jack the front end really carefully !!! now it doubled the cost of my repair. but hey, the truck does look sweet... everything comes at a price !!!!
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 662
Likes: 2
From: CO
You're jacking under the frame or under the lower arm? Block of wood or not, under the control arm is asking for trouble.
Is there even more than one shop in Ketchikan? It's pretty small from what I remember.
Is there even more than one shop in Ketchikan? It's pretty small from what I remember.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 6
From: Ketchikan, AK.
im actually in juneau now.... i just need to update my profile, but i took it to les schuab.... they are really the only show in town. i know that my mount is messed up for a fact. he said the toe was still good, but the camber is +.75 on one wheel, and -.somthing on the other. im not sure what that means... i dont know much about alignments. where i put the jack was under the mount tabs that are welded to the frame, and it bent the aft one towards the control arm... far enough to actually push into the control arm until i bent it back somewhat. im not sure what the camber kit is going to do, but its another 100.00. can anyone clue me in as to what the camber kit will do? from what i remember the mech saying, the pass wheel is actually pointing towards the ditch compared to the driver wheel... not terrible, but still not parallel to the other wheel. is that why my steering wheel is now turned slightly towards the right when im driving straight? sorry for asking so much, im just not the most knowledgable on this issue..... thanks a bunch !!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Escondido, Ca
My wife and I just got back from an Alaskan cruise. We did the "from Vancouver to Ketchikan, Juneau, Scagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord and Whittier" trip.
INCREDIBLE!!!
When I had my 04 FX4 leveled, I had them install a camber kit. The truck is close to alignment limits with the lift kit, so I figured it would be cheap insurance.
INCREDIBLE!!!
When I had my 04 FX4 leveled, I had them install a camber kit. The truck is close to alignment limits with the lift kit, so I figured it would be cheap insurance.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 6
From: Ketchikan, AK.
thanks oldtimer... i just said the heck with it, and had them order the kit. if it isnt what fixes the problem, then they are responsible for it. thats always a plus. as for alaska, it is awesome. i lived in ketchikan for 4 years, and now im in juneau. you should really come back and spend time without being cought in the "cruise ship/tourist" scene. there really is so much more to see than what you would be able to while on a cruise.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Hey guys I'm no front end mechanic but I thought you only needed camber kits which were used on 96 and older fords . The reason I'm saying this is that I remember when I had my 96 f-150 with the old front end style that this was the only way to do the front end I'm not to sure about camber kits on the newer a- arm models.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 392
Likes: 2
On the 04 up trucks there are slots in the lower control arms and no real easy way of doing adjustments. The camber kit is just putting adjustment cams in so they can adjust it.
We do it at work with a come-along and a few other tricks but it can be a pain if you haven't done it before.
We do it at work with a come-along and a few other tricks but it can be a pain if you haven't done it before.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
a cam kit is a set of cam bolts that replace the lower control arm bolts.these are needed for easy adjustment of camber setting the dealer tried to get me to pay 100.00 a piece for them there are 4 needed.i dont like my front tires wearing uneven so quickly and its been in twice for this issue they adjusted the toe once, it just got worse.then they put on new tires, still wearing wrong.the alignment is dead on and i rotated the tires every oil change.it goes to a different dealer tomorrow they already mentioned fixing camber issues. the first dealer said they give up they dont know how to fix it ,makes me wonder what else they dont know how to fix.