Got some front end work done, still some issues

panthermike

panthermike

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Well, my original concern was that my steering wheel didn't "return to center" after turns, etc.

Took it in to my mechanic, he said the tie rods were dry so he greased them. He also said the lower driver side ball joint was bad. I purchased the Moog Thunderbird Lower control arm/ball joint and he put it on yesterday.

After the installation, the wheel still doesn't return to center. Also, the car pulled to the left when braking as well as the wheel was "off center" even when the car was straight. Also was getting heavy vibration. I figured it would need an alignment regardless.

Took it for a 4 wheel alignment today at Big O Tires. My first concern was the "tech" that did it was finished in about 20 mins, which seemed way too fast.

On the drive home I noticed that the vibration is considerably lessened but still there at 65+. The car still pulls to the left while braking as well as pulling "slightly" to the right when driving normally and the wheel still doesn't return to center.

I'm not sure if the mechanic did something wrong or the guy at Big O did a crap job? I'm assuming the latter because of how fast he did the job. I realize I probably won't get rid of all the vibration because of the two piece driveshaft but the other issues are bugging me.

So, what does everyone think? Something the mechanic did or the alignment wasn't done correctly?

Sorry for the winded post, just don't want to leave anything out.

Thanks.
 
Also, I'm not sure about the return issue. I've been told it could be the rack, ouch!
 
i had pretty much the same issues As far as the braking things i replaced rotors and pads first still there, then upper and lower control arms, tie rod ends and replaced all the suspension and it finally went away, the vibration mine still has at higher speeds but im thinking its the drive shaft, The nly thing i didnt have was the return to center. I would get under there and check all the suspension parts and make sure they are good otherwise that could be where some of your problems are coming from.
 
The weird thing is that the braking thing wasn't there prior to the ball joint replacement?
 
Well Mark VIII's are very very sensative chassis wise.... When it comes to alignment I would barely trust a Ford dealer to do it right....

Max is close to you right? I bet if you take it down there and give Max the heads up that you are an LVCer he will make sure your car gets done RIGHT...

My guess also is the he had both front tires off and that he put them on the opposite sides...
 
kustomizingkid said:
Well Mark VIII's are very very sensative chassis wise.... When it comes to alignment I would barely trust a Ford dealer to do it right....

Max is close to you right? I bet if you take it down there and give Max the heads up that you are an LVCer he will make sure your car gets done RIGHT...

My guess also is the he had both front tires off and that he put them on the opposite sides...
Click to expand...

He didn't have the tires off at all. All I saw him do was put something on the wheels and do something in the front, all of which took 20 minutes.
 
kustomizingkid said:
I'm talking about the guy who did the LCA....
Click to expand...

Oh ok, sorry.

I'll call the shop tomorrow and see what they say. It may have been difficult for him to do that though because I saw him working on it. He laid the tires on the ground on the side in which he took them off. Who knows though?

How long should a good 4 wheel alignment take usually?
 
strut rod bushing replaced?

20 minutes is enough time to align if ...

A: the car isnt real far off already

B: the guy is good at it.

i have seen proper alignments done take anywhere from 15-16 minutes to 35 minutes.

i worked at pepboys for awhile and we had 1 guy who could do topnotch alignments in 20-25 mins all day long,almost any kind of car.
 
Last time I had an alignment and wheels balanced by bell tire, it still shook somewhat oh the freeway. I took it in to a goodyear shop and now there isnt even a hint of vibration.
 
Vibration could be an out of balance tire, or your upper control arms. I would bet that he rotated your tires for you and the out of balance one WAS on the rear and now is on the front.

Upper Control Arms will make any small vibration a big wobble if they are weak.
 
The tires shouldn't be out of balance as I had the Hunter Road Force done last week. That actually got rid of almost all the vibes. After the LCA the vibe was pretty bad and the car pulls to the left while braking.

I'm busy right now with school but next week I'm going to take it to the mechanic just to be sure everything is in order. If he finds nothing out of place I'm going to take it to an alignment guy that I've used before. He's pretty old school and takes his time, but he gets the job done right(should of done this the first time). Not saying Big O did a bad job at all, but I just have to wait and see.

I'll also be sure to tell my mechanic to check the upper control arms as well as the tie rods.

Thanks for the input.
 
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