firestone sucks

[BlueOval2003]

Hello all, here's my truck

2003 Ford ranger edge 3.0

Cranked my t-bars yesterday everything went smooth.

First question, I maxed the adjuster bolts on each side and only got 1.5 inches lift on each side, why?

Took the truck to firestone for alignment afterwards and they claim at 122k miles all four of my ball joints are shot and they want 1500 dollars to fix it and allign it

This is bull, those joints look like new and the suspension has always felt tight. I want to get the lifetime alignment. Does anyone know another shop that will line this up and not try to steal my money.

 

[marauderx]

Jim's in Baton Rouge does a great job, but you could be in British Colombia for all I know...

 

[BlueOval2003]

I guess that would help lol, I live in houston, TX

 

[kryptonitecb]

A couple friends of mine have seen fords with 20k miles with worn ball joints. They wear out fairly quickly for some reason but that sounds correct. Think of how many hours it takes to replace them.

Sent from road while ignoring traffic

 

[BlueOval2003]

I'll post pictures of the joints tonight, after I take it to another shop and see if they say the same thing. If they really are gone its a job I would try to do myself

 

[kryptonitecb]

You can check yourself. Jack up the axle in question and push at the top of the wheel. There shouldn't be any play, if there is make sure it isn't tire flex or the steering. You can also put a rod or pipe under the wheel and watch the knuckle as you pull up. You will be able to see the play at the ball joint.

It's not difficult to change the ballpoints yourself. You just need a ball joint press(harborfreight) and the spindle nut socket for your truck.

Sent from road while ignoring traffic

 

[BlueOval2003]

Didn't get a chance to touch it today, probably will on wedensday. I'll post back what i find

 

[badmts]

Can you post a copy of the estimate?

 

[cdawall]

At 120K I bet your OEM balljoints are worn as hell. Doesn't matter if they look pretty thats simply because Houston has no road salt and is semi-humid enough to keep the joint looking good.

 

[mp3deviant721]

Wow, nobody answered his first question, so here goes.

Your torsion bars could have been adjusted before to compensate for sagging torsion bars. That would be my best guess.

 

[gw33gp]

I've heard that some Rangers just don't have much adjustment left in them from the factory. Could be due to a softer rated torsion bar. I doubt a 2WD Edge would have a very stiff torsion bar.

I have almost 135K on my original ball joints and they still seem to be solid. I checked them about a week ago and could detect no excess movement in them. The boots on the top ball joint were cracked so I pumped in a little more grease, cleaned them well and sealed the cracks with silicone sealant. I hope that will make them last a little longer. I also had the front end aligned by a good shop a couple months ago. They had to install camber kits but said nothing about needing new ball joints.

 

[BlueOval2003]

Thanks for that last reply gw, was wondering why I only got the 1.5 inches but hey its nose up so I'm happy. I get off late tonight so no time to go to a shop but im going to friends house tonight and putting a jack under it.

In regard to the estimate- I don't have it, its in the dumpster.

Thanks all

 

[BlueOval2003]

Just checked out the ball joints with my buddy-zero play. I'm finding anither shop to line it up. thanks for all the help everyone

 

[BlueOval2003]

Alright took my truck to a different firestone. They saw in their computer that the other shop said the joints were bad but confirmed that they were indeed good, lined up the truck and knocked 15 bucks off the price for my inconvenience.

 

[shane96ranger]

Alright took my truck to a different firestone. They saw in their computer that the other shop said the joints were bad but confirmed that they were indeed good, lined up the truck and knocked 15 bucks off the price for my inconvenience.

That's mo' better. Hopefully your truck feels back to normal again!