newbie question

[socalbronco]

Hi all, I'm a newbie here on the bronco forum... just picked up my '94 bronco a couple of weeks ago and I'm working out the kinks and peculiarities of my newly aqcuired baby.

I have a question and it would be greatly appreciated if you all can help me out here... I recently noticed that while driving my car I get a pretty strong vibration while driving at +65mph and a fairly high pitched humming noise while stepping on the gas pedal... I'm guessing that there's something wrong with the drivetrain and most likely I will have to replace something...

Now I gave a call to 4 wheel parts and asked them how much they charge for an inspection of the vehicle and what their prices were to do an alignment... I was quoted around $76 for the inspection (which would be waived if I were to have my vehicle fixed/repaired through them) and $210 for an alignment... the guy said that the bronco's have a unique suspension setup (with the quad shocks in the front and something about the cambers) which would mean a more expensive alignment service. Is this sales guy at 4 wheel parts trying to rip me a new one or is he actually telling me the truth? Because I've never had to pay that much for an alignment?!

Also, I'm located in the SoCal region (San Gabriel Valley area)... can anyone recommend me a good mechanics shop in the area that I can go to who knows what they're doing and be able to trust that the guys there ain't trying to over charge me? The bronco is my first truck so I'm a total newbie here...

Any help would be great! Thanks all... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[oldtimer]

i think the guy ***** ya. theres nothing special about bronco front end. hes not messin with the shock at all.. I would go to a tire place like firestone belle tire or something like that

 

[Seabronc]

You definitely need to have the noise investigated. Not being there to hear it, and based on your description of the noise, you are probably hearing noise from the rear end.

As far as the charge for inspection and alignment, the Bronco TTB suspension is definitely harder to do a proper alignment on than most and I would expect it to be cost more than their standard price. However, if they have had any experience with TTBs I'd also expect them to have a better answer for you. In their defense, the main thing the guy isn't able to see in his "crystal ball" is what components will need to be replaced in order to do a proper alignment, things lime tie rod ends, ball joints, etc. so he has to hedge a little on what he tells you. There is no point in doing an alignment if front end parts are badly worn. A reputable tire shop will not do do an alignment it if they detect worn front end parts like ball joints. Most of them will tell you to get those parts replaced first and then bring it back. Tire shops generally don't do that sort of work because it takes too much time and they are in the business of slapping on tires and if they do alignments that is what they want to do, not change tie rods, ball joints and bushings.

Good luck,

>-

 

[socalbronco]

You definitely need to have the noise investigated. Not being there to hear it, and based on your description of the noise, you are probably hearing noise from the rear end.
As far as the charge for inspection and alignment, the Bronco TTB suspension is definitely harder to do a proper alignment on than most and I would expect it to be cost more than their standard price. However, if they have had any experience with TTBs I'd also expect them to have a better answer for you. In their defense, the main thing the guy isn't able to see in his "crystal ball" is what components will need to be replaced in order to do a proper alignment, things lime tie rod ends, ball joints, etc. so he has to hedge a little on what he tells you. There is no point in doing an alignment if front end parts are badly worn. A reputable tire shop will not do do an alignment it if they detect worn front end parts like ball joints. Most of them will tell you to get those parts replaced first and then bring it back. Tire shops generally don't do that sort of work because it takes too much time and they are in the business of slapping on tires and if they do alignments that is what they want to do, not change tie rods, ball joints and bushings.

Good luck,

>-

Seabronc, thanks for the tip... I guess I'm gonna have to trust the guy to find out what exactly is up with my bronco and get whatever parts are needed to be replaced before they do the alignment.

 

[BB33's]

check your rear driveshaft and the u joints for excessive play (movement while the truck is in park) If a UJoint is bad the driveshaft can be wobbleing and that can be the source of your vibration when you give it gas.