Hey, the shop I just went to for an alignment wouldn't do it because the tech said I had to much play in my wheels and that I needed to fix my Pitman arm or my drag links but couldn't tell me exactly what it was because the "4x4" specialist wasn't in today. I was hoping you could tell me if it is going to take any specialty tools to replace these parts (broke college student) because i can't afford to have the shops fix the problem.
Alignment problems
- Thread starter Cocobum
- Start date
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If you have to replace all your steering linkages you will be in for probably $150 worth of parts. The only took you really need is a pickle wedge, hammer and some frustration. I have wedge on an air hammer I use but they can still be stubborn. Im not sure what they would mean by pitman arm, unless you have some play in your steering box. In which case it could just be a simple adjustment.
Jack your front end up, grab your wheel on the top and bottom and try to move it(push your top hand toward the truck and pull the bottom away and switch). Play here would most likely be your ball joints. Do the same thing side to side(with one wheel on the ground). play here could be your tie rod ends or the middle joint on your drag link.
Jack your front end up, grab your wheel on the top and bottom and try to move it(push your top hand toward the truck and pull the bottom away and switch). Play here would most likely be your ball joints. Do the same thing side to side(with one wheel on the ground). play here could be your tie rod ends or the middle joint on your drag link.
One thing I used to do is bring the vehicle in for an alignment, or just an estimate. They will usually print you off a list of everything you need fixed. Tell them you need the list, might need a creative excuse because they are getting wise to this, but somehow get the list and go buy everything on the list. Install everything and go for an alignment. might want to pick a different shop, they tend to get angry when you do this. Basically you can count on Ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends, drag link. Check for play in the bearings.
just a note yardape. i have had a shop align my truck and it had bad tie rod ends. I took it back a week later telling them the tie rod ends were bad and they redid it but i had a prior working relationship with this shop.
make sure you ask them to check it over just in case they dont.
make sure you ask them to check it over just in case they dont.
BroncoJoe19
Active member
You were lucky enough to get a tech who was honest enough to tell you that he does not know everything. Bring it back when someone is there that can tell you what needs to be replaced. Explain to them that you are broke, and will replace the parts yourself, but will bring it back to them for the alignment, if they will give you the courtesy of telling you which parts need to be replaced. Perhaps you will need to be willing to pay for the diagnoses with that being applied to the alignment. Do you best to work something out. A Pitman arm may cost approx $50 so you don't want to replace it if it is not needed.
Some chain stores, such as autozone have a tool loaner program, where you leave a deposit (enough to purchase the tool) and get it back provided you return the tool within a month. When I pulled my pitman arm, I used a pitman arm puller, AND a pickle fork (with a BFH) to get the darn thing off. They can be stubborn, and the use of air tools is helpful, but not essential.
Should you decide to tackle this project yourself, get yourself a chilton's, or a Haynes manual for your truck. And if you run into problems, let us know.
Some chain stores, such as autozone have a tool loaner program, where you leave a deposit (enough to purchase the tool) and get it back provided you return the tool within a month. When I pulled my pitman arm, I used a pitman arm puller, AND a pickle fork (with a BFH) to get the darn thing off. They can be stubborn, and the use of air tools is helpful, but not essential.
Should you decide to tackle this project yourself, get yourself a chilton's, or a Haynes manual for your truck. And if you run into problems, let us know.
