Over the weekend, I had my mechanic install my replacement upper control arms and lower ball joints. He also replaced a failed Bilstein 5100, that was fortunately under warranty. I took my truck to the stealership today, to get the alignment done. They called me later, after dropping it off, that they could not do the alignment. The invoice said front camber and cross caster is out of spec, will need adjustable bushings to bring alignment into specs. They wanted to charge me $276 for the bushings, and to install them. Needless to say, I said not gonna happen. I think I found the parts, but I want to be sure I am on the right track.

http://www.autozone.com/suspension-a...3_596974_5285/

 

that's look like the good kit yes.

But unless the caster is way off....le kit is not really needed.

The LCA mount are already slotted....the kit is just to be 100% sure the setup won't move. It doesn't from the factory, I don't know why it should from a later alignment

 

Maybe the new ball joints and the 5100's being set @ 2" lift have something to do with it? The stealership said that they needed to install the kit, in order to do the alignment.

 

Good ol' Pat is saying that it makes it easier, but it's also possible for a competent mechanic who knows his stuff to do it without this kit. Many have.

It's another potential revenue stream...

BTW - how did the truck drive before suspension work? If the lower arm was never moved / replaced, then the spec never changed. It was off before all of this.

Post up the alleged out of spec numbers - there is some allowable tolerance.

MGD

 

I don't think the stealership even gave me numbers. The truck rode horribly, due to the bushings being gone in the upper control arm, and the lower ball joints were shot. I had 122k on the original set.

 

I called another local shop, and told them what I was told yesterday. They agreed that it didn't sound unusual, for my particular model year. I will get them, I guess, and install them myself.

 

Two kits, total of 4 brackets and 4 adjustable nuts


It does make it much easier. The slots are already there, this just makes it easier to control movement and get it finely tuned.

Since the adjustment slot is already there it technically isnt "needed" to achieve a perfect alignment, but i can speak from experience, it makes it much nicer to fine tune, and you'd be much more likely to get a quality alignment that way.


Make sure if you're doing them yourself you immediately get an alignment redone. Even if you get it marked and setup where it was you can still get a little camber and caster movement. A small movement on camber/caster adjustment greatly effect toe angles which in most cases will increase tire wear, and possibly cause instability if its out far enough. Be careful!

 

Yea, I intend to install them myself, then take it back for the alignment.

 

Well, parts came in, and stuff came up, so I am not going to do it myself. Went to the other shop, that I called before, and asked them what it would cost to do the install of the camber kits, then the alignment. Estimate was about $45 for the install, and another $69 for the alignment. I am dropping it off tomorrow. I think I can get $10 knocked off the alignment, with an online coupon.

 

Took the truck in today, for the kit install and alignment at lunch time. While still on lunch, I get a call, from the shop. Apparently the stealership goofed or flat out lied to me. Truck was in spec on the camber, caster was in spec, but near limits. They made minor adjustments, and didn't even charge me. No more stealership, for my vehicle, unless I absolutely have no choice.

 

So did they put the bolts in?

 

The other shop did nothing but make some minor adjustments, and give me back my truck. Have to send the camber kits back.