Alignment and camber kits

[FlipTrac_511]

After nearly 17 thousand miles the original Goodyear Wrangler RT/S tires are very slightly cupping on the inside and my Trac tends to wander to the right. I took the Trac to a local Goodyear/Gemini shop for free rotation and decided to get alignment done for $60 as well. I was told I needed camber kits to get proper allignment and I agreed to pay about $180 to install the two $35 kits (~$90 per kit/installation).



The alignment feels better now but the Trac still wonders to the right. No problem, I will take it back for adjustment. What has began to bother me is a slight thunk that occurs after braking to a stop. I will have this looked into also and since this noise never existed before, the kit installation is a prime suspect.



As I said, I will take my Trac back to the shop to get these issues looked into but I sure would like to hear you folks' feedback. Also, could I have gotten the camber kits under warranty if I took her to a dealership instead?

 

[Mike Wilson]

First off ,from what I understand about our tracs is front end problems are

somewhat common, without the factory adjustable camber, the non-lubeable

front end, etc. When you take it back to have them check this, see if they will,

or have checked your ball joints for wear. The proper way to do this is to put

the vehicle on a frame-type lift, rather than one that lifts it by the tires. This will

allow them to check the suspension (ball joints) unloaded as this is the only way to

properly check for play or wear. Also, some "drift" to the right is a safety design

feature on almost all cars sold in the U.S. This (hopefully) prevents someone

from veering into oncoming traffic if you should, say, fall asleep at the wheel. The

vehicle is designed to drift onto the shoulder rather than hitting another car head-on.

And see if they can give you a printout of your alignment specs in case you have

to go to another service shop, for comparison. As far as warranty, it never hurts

to ask the dealer. Let us know if this helps...

tracnblack...

 

[Hal S]

FlipTrac_511,

alignment is only covered for the initial 12 month, 12,000 period, so if you have 17k, it wouldn't have been covered.

There is one thing though, a 2004 Sport Track can have the cams installed, but since mid year 2002 the shop manual directs the technician to remove the factory locating plate, install a washer and retighten the control arm in the desired position. We no longer install cams to correct the alignment.

That doesn't mean that a case can't be made that the cams make it easier to adjust, it's just that the aftermarket shops aren't aware of "revised" procedures.

Also, while a right drift may be safer than a left drift, if all is correct it should go straight down the road if the road is close to level.

 

[Mike Wilson]

Flip...

Go to your dealer, as it seems you are still under warranty...

Tell them you have a vehicle stability control problem...

You are uncomfortable with this problem...

You feel that it is putting yourself and/ or your passengers at risk...

There is a T.S.B (Technical Service Bulletin) on this problem...

It falls under the M.V.S.S. (Motor Vehicle Safety Standard)...

(Federal Government Mandate For Vehicle Manufactures in the U.S....)

(I.E. , Brakes, Handling,(Steering, Suspension, etc...)...

You would either like this corrected under warranty with no charge incurred

to yourself, or you will contact NHTSA with full details, of which I will be happy

to provide to you...

(Michigan Master Certified Mechanic: M-154011:

(NIASE Master Certified Mechanic:Ts17401963)

 

[David Torres]

I just had my ST in on Friday for the same similar problem with the tires. They did a front end alignment and adjusted the camber but it didn't need any kits. The cost was $60 for the alignment and $15 to rotate the tires.

 

[FlipTrac_511]

Tracnblack, thanks for backing me up. I wish I had asked around here first before actual work was done on my Trac. I went back to the shop first thing this morning and they seemed to have fixed the problems I had mentioned. I'll just bite the bullet on this one.



On another note, this is a dilemma I face when deciding whether to go to a dealership for service or an independent garage. There's just no sure way of telling where the best service lies for the money.



Thanks all for the feedback.

 

[Mike Wilson]

Flip... Come here FIRST... Many good people here with PROFESSIONAL advice ( as

I provided my certification numbers to you in an earlier post). We will shoot straight

with you on all of your issues. We have active and retired mechanics, engineers, and

all types of intelligent people on this site, not to mention, just good people in

general.

 

[FlipTrac_511]

You're absolutely right, trac'. I've gotten tons of helpful info here in my year of being a member and it's even more reassuring when the feedback is from certified mechanics such as yourself. Thanks again!

 

[Gypsy me]

12 mos or 12,000 miles? So, if my trac is over 12 mos old and less than 12,000 miles I've passed the time limit? Just wanted the clarification. Thanks

 

[Hal S]

GM,

the factory warranty period that covers alignment, tire balance, some adjustments, and most "wear items" ends at 12 months or 12,000 miles. There are some exceptions, but for the most part unless your dealer choses to do something as "good will" you will need to open your wallet for the wheel alignment.



Ford Chassis Master Tech.

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