(Posted under Safety and Maintenance also)

Hello! My truck has about 43000 miles on her, and is due for an alignment. I called Ford and the service guy implied that I would probably need Cams and Bushings, too. The "symptoms" displayed are:

- shaking in the stickshift and steering wheel around 65mph that goes away as I either increase/decrease speed

- wear on outer edges of front tires

- slight pull to the right side when I let it steer itself

I called a few other places and (I hate to say this) I am not sure that the Ford guy was up to par. Granted, it is POSSIBLE, but is it likely that I will need cams and bushings, too? Not being of the mechanical nature, I have no clue what he is even talking about!

I also found it strange that the dealer doesn't make appointments! First come, first served.

So, what do you think?

 

Hey Claudia! I'd get a second opinion from a quality front end shop a truck with only 43 grand should not need new bushings. Just a good alignment and new tires if those are original. Let us know what you find.

 

I think you can get the cam kit at Napa.

 

To do a full alignment, the kit has to be installed. I guess this is as good a time as any to post this. I've done this at least once a year since 1998.

If you have a friendly service department, get your trucks aligned before it hits 12 months or 12,000 miles. Tell them it's pulling to one side or the other. They'll install the kit and do the alignment under the warranty. If you don't do this, an alignment in the future will run you around $200 because of the need to install those parts.

My service writer at the dealership I use told me about this when I had my '97. He scheduled my '99 for the alignment when it went in for service before it hit the 12/12 limit.

READ YOUR WARRANTY!!! You really gotta read that sucker to find the items that are covered in the first year.

 

I have no idea what you guys are talking about. Why would I need to install a "kit" for a regular alignment? If I DON'T need cams/bushings, then I won't need the kit? And what is this "kit"?

I'm sorry to have such limited knowledge, I have helped alot with my dad and my husbands auto repairs, but never this indepth.

I will probably go Thurs to have it looked at and let ya'll know what happens.

Thanks again for the assistance!

 

Ok, so I take it in to the shop. Turns out it DOESN'T need cams and bushings. Just a major balancing on the front tires (and rotated them, too) and an alignment. Tomorrow I will see if it made a difference once I get out of rush hour traffic!

Thanks for the suggestions.