600$04Ranger
Member
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2019
- Messages
- 60
- Reaction score
- 44
- Points
- 18
- Age
- 49
- Location
- Ashland, OR.
- Vehicle Year
- 2004
- Make / Model
- Xlt 4wd 4.0L V6
- Engine Type
- 4.0 V6
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- Tire Size
- 31x10.5
- My credo
- Mandates are for fascist dictators!
Recently replaced driver's side upper control arm (Motorcraft), inner and outer tie rods(Motorcraft inner and Moog outer). Replaced the passenger side upper control arm about 6 months ago, the lower ball joints (both Motorcraft) but not the control arm bushings 3 months ago, and switched the end links and sway bar bushings to the Energy Suspension Polyurethane about a month ago. Driver's side upper control arm ball joint was loose and floppy. Inner tie rods were loose and sloppy. Outer tie rods I was going to reuse but replaced them since they felt rough and on their way to sloppy. Front tires have noticeable cupping on the inside edge but tread is not worn enough overall to call them shot. Driveability varies from "hands off the wheel straight tracking with nothing concerning at speeds up to 80" to "I'm sure something is wrong cause it sounds like the tires are grinding along to an early grave" Looking at the truck from the front the camber is noticeable with top of tire closer to the truck than the bottom of the tire (negative camber?) Toe seems about right but a cursory measurement showed a slight toe out (positive toe?). Haven't parked it on a perfectly level surface though as I don't own a garage, park on a off camber gravel bill at home, and park on a muddy driveway at work. However, there is a new pole barn with a perfect slab on the property which I plan on using to take some more accurate (hopefully) measurements and try and correct any misalignments that could lead to sloppy driving, noisy tires, and/or premature tread wear. Or.......I could just take it to an appointment I made for an alignment this coming Tuesday. Last alignment was only 90 bucks (not that I have enough money to use the word "only") but might not be considered money well spent if I can do it myself reasonably well. I have installed every part I listed and like doing my own work as well as saving the money to blow on gas ("Let's go Brandon!") or anything other than a shop invoice that's majority labor cost. But, I'm not afraid to pay someone to do a job properly that I have neither the tools or experience to realistically succeed at. Definitely had a hard time making sense of this printout I got at my last alignment. Understand toe, camber, caster but not the difference by +/- whatever the degrees as it would affect each aspect of my trucks handling. Hard to have a frame of reference to interpret the printout but I would like to. Love reading about the minutiae though when I can gain a bit of practical knowledge at the same time.
Anyone have a strong opinion either way on home alignment vs shop?
Anyone have a strong opinion either way on home alignment vs shop?