the dealer
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, area
the dealer
Hey guys just want to express my thoughts on the dealer experience i just had.
I take the truck in to get the 4wd solenoid fixed with the new parts.(previous fix was to put a empty quart bottle over the solenoid to act as a rain cap. I'm fine with this because it was before Ford came out with a real fix and I was on my 3rd solenoid and the rain cap worked for the last 8 months)
But when I was there they said I need/recommend tire rotation, precision balance, and an alignment. Now I can admit that the tires are getting close to a rotation since it's been about 7,000 miles. But the balance and alignment **** me off because they have no idea what it needs since they did not put it on and alignment machine and as far as I'm concerned that tires don't need to be balanced unless there is a vibration or a problem. The only reason it aggravates me is that I was someone that did not know any better the dealer would have just made of with someones hard earned money for no benefit.
sorry for rant.
I take the truck in to get the 4wd solenoid fixed with the new parts.(previous fix was to put a empty quart bottle over the solenoid to act as a rain cap. I'm fine with this because it was before Ford came out with a real fix and I was on my 3rd solenoid and the rain cap worked for the last 8 months)
But when I was there they said I need/recommend tire rotation, precision balance, and an alignment. Now I can admit that the tires are getting close to a rotation since it's been about 7,000 miles. But the balance and alignment **** me off because they have no idea what it needs since they did not put it on and alignment machine and as far as I'm concerned that tires don't need to be balanced unless there is a vibration or a problem. The only reason it aggravates me is that I was someone that did not know any better the dealer would have just made of with someones hard earned money for no benefit.
sorry for rant.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 2
From: ME
I agree with you on the precision balance.If you don't have a vibration and he didn't check the balance then how does he know if your tires need balancing? 
But on the alignment,that is a toss up.I have a friend who has owned an alignment shop for over 30 years and he can usually tell if a vehicle is out of line from looking at the front tires or by running his hand around the tread of the tire and feeling the wear pattern.
I'm not defending the tech that may or may not be trying to take your money for nothing.I'm just saying it's possible to diagnose an out of line front end without putting it on the machine.
But on the alignment,that is a toss up.I have a friend who has owned an alignment shop for over 30 years and he can usually tell if a vehicle is out of line from looking at the front tires or by running his hand around the tread of the tire and feeling the wear pattern.
I'm not defending the tech that may or may not be trying to take your money for nothing.I'm just saying it's possible to diagnose an out of line front end without putting it on the machine.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: yadkin NC
if the truck rolls on the alingnment rack, you are getting charged for an alignment other wize the commision techs would work for free all day 'checking' cars and yes the best way to tell if a car needs an alignment is by the front tire wear patterns. but yea you gotta watch shops some will ***k you in a second. been there, seen that.