Is a Wheel Alignment really necesary ?

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smokinlsc

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Just had upper and lower ball joints left and right replaced. Also did left and right stabilizer links. Car go s straight with no pull at all. Mechanic says there is really no adjustments to make. The car is a98 LSC what should I do? Just dropped $650. It would be nice if I didnt need to spend another $70 for the alignment.
 
Your mechanic is fulla bullshyt. The MarkVIII front suspension is FULLY adjustable (camber, caster, and toe). Just because it "drives straight" doesn't mean that it's properly lined up. Spend the $70 and get it done right instead of having to replace the tires in a few months because of a funny wear pattern.
 
rayner601 said:
Your mechanic is fulla bullshyt. The MarkVIII front suspension is FULLY adjustable (camber, caster, and toe). Just because it "drives straight" doesn't mean that it's properly lined up. Spend the $70 and get it done right instead of having to replace the tires in a few months because of a funny wear pattern.
Click to expand...

Not only the tires but you will put wear on other components as well.
 
another $70 is cheap insurance compared to what tires cost
 
KK did my front and it was spot on.
New uppers lowers and lca bushings.

One side was like .2 of a deg off.
So your Mechanic could be right he might have nailed it.
I would ask him if he checked it and what his readings are.
Just because he said there are no adjustments to make dosen't mean its not adjustable.

If he has a rack should give you a print out.

If you get it checked get the befrore and after numbers.
If they dont have to adjust anything it should be little or no charge.
If its out of spec. bring the print out to your Mechanic.
 
Always do an alignment with front end work, even if its just fresh struts. The Mark has the single most sensetive front suspension I have ever seen. When I replaced my struts and strut rod bushings my steering wheel was cocked 90* counter clock-wise yet the car still went straight. When I saw it onthe rack I couldnt believe how far off it was. Toe is very important on these cars because it takes so little to make it darty or lethargic if its not perfect. The car also changes its camber dratically as the suspension moves to its important to have it set just right at normal ride height.

I only put 16 miles on my tires to bring it to the shop and never went over 50 mph but I really chopped the edges of my tires. Now I am gonna have to rotate them and do some burn outs to redneck re-true them :p Problem is it will only spin both for a few seconds before it does the one wheel peel. :lol:
 
I'm going to be the odd-man out,

If you simply replace the ball joint and haven't changed any setting - why bother UNLESS you notice the car drives 'funny' compared to before and notice tire wearing?

Unless the car was last aligned with a bad-ball joint, what could possibly be different about the alignment with a new ball-joint?

Just thinking out loud, I am not a professional - it's your money to spend. But from MY experience, alot of parts have been changed on our cars over the years with no alignment, cars still drive straight+true, and no odd tire wear.

Flame away!
 
yea TRUST me!!! My car goes down the road straight as an arrow......80mph with no hands...but now my right front tire has metal coming out of it.....why? work was done on it before i bought it andi guess they didn't do an alignment
 
Yup, a car can drive perfectly straight but be way off. My steering wheel was off center by 90* but the car still tracked perfecly straight.
Get it aligned when the front is touched at all. The car will eat tires fast and also get that annoying vibration around 60-70mph if not.
 
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