Alignment Slug Needed?

[outomyelement]

I've got a 1995 Ford Ranger XL with front disc and rear drum brakes. Last time I went to get my wheels aligned they said I needed a 'slug' to align the wheels properly, and that one wheel already had one. The price seemed astronomical to me since they already had the wheels off (new tires) so I declined.

Anyone had experience with these? Are they really required and how hard are they to install?

Thanks!

 

[4x4junkie]

Sounds like they were referring to a camber/caster bushing.

Such bushings usually sell for around $12-15 for a fixed-type, and $25-30 for a fully-adjustable one.

Your truck also has them on each side already, though it's possible they aren't the right offset to get the alignment correct (and would require replacing). I'd probably get a set of fully-adjustable ones for it, which should never need replacing, they simply can be adjusted each time.

Installing and setting them still requires you know the basics about wheel alignment however.

 

[outomyelement]

I did a search for what you're describing, and couldn't find anything called 'caster/camber' bushing adjuster or bushing adjuster... Can you help me find what I'm looking for?

 

[4x4junkie]

Adjustable bushings (2-piece bushings):

Ingalls #59400
Specialty Products #24180
Moog #K8986
Spicer (Raybestos) #6122025

(Rockauto.com I know sells the Moog and Raybestos ones)

They go around your upper balljoint stud (see this page, scroll about halfway down)

 

[outomyelement]

Thank you!

 

[outomyelement]

Adjustable bushings (2-piece bushings):

Ingalls #59400
Specialty Products #24180
Moog #K8986
Spicer (Raybestos) #6122025

(Rockauto.com I know sells the Moog and Raybestos ones)

They go around your upper balljoint stud (see this page, scroll about halfway down)

I'm looking at my service manual and am wondering how hard this would be to install...? I don't need to remove the wheel spindle do I -- will it just drop in once I loosen the bolt holding the spindle to the axle? I will be replacing my bearings and rotors and I'm thinking this might be a good time to install the camber adjuster...

 

[4x4junkie]

Remove the circlip from around the balljoint stud, loosen the pinch bolt, and the camber/caster bushing should then slide right out (this provided it's not locked in there with rust/corrosion, in which case a little persuasion will likely be needed).

 

[outomyelement]

Awesome, that was way easy. I actually had to remove the pinch bolt on one side, the existing bushing (stock?) had a 'u-shaped' groove preventing me from pulling it out after loosening it. Interestingly enough, the other side already had a semi-adjustable one that came right out. The new ones dropped right in. I found a set of +/- 4 degree from Napa Auto Parts. Kinda expensive at $30/ea, but it was cheaper than the $160 at the alignment place. It was this one:

https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?A=NCP2643950_0190346266&An=599001+101995+50028+2028044, Part #NCP 2643950.

Thank you!