SoCal Jet Boats
Discussion => The No Wake Zone => Topic started by: 2savage4you on August 31, 2009, 09:22:04 AM
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No not the stars ::)
Im talking about your cars/trucks.........
I took my truck to the shop for an estimate on replacing the steering tie rods, pitman arm and idler arm. I already knew it needed to be replaced but since they have a lift and can see under the truck better then me crawling on my back, and it was a free estimate i said what the hell.
The estimate was a total of $1120 for......
4 Tie rod ends.
1 Pitman arm.
1 Idler arm.
And alignment.
Well i went and bought my own parts + for only $198
4 Tie rod ends.
1 Pitman arm.
1 Idler arm.
2 sleeves.
then i went and ordered new shocks from the shock warehouse.
4 Monroe Reflex shocks shipped $184
and a new Bell Tech set of lowering shackles for the rear $ 60 Truck sat real high in the rear......
I started my vacation yesturday after work, so i installed all the above.
Now im calling for a place to get it aligned, $65-70 bucks is the going rate is that right, what happened to the $29 alignment ??? Its not a freakin 4x4....
Yeah, i am trying to be cheap on this alignment deal cause if you ever drove through Bullhead you would understand why..... Alignments here dont last long, might aswell be dirt roads :banghead:
I also might be pickin up a shell for my truck, when i took it in for an estimate, the guy behind the counter said that was his old truck and he has a brand new Leer shell for it... $100 :o :o :o Im gonna go look at it :thumbup:
Ok, yes i know the shops have alot of overhead, but just by me buying and installing my own parts saved me $800 I could see spending a couple hundred more for the shop to do it but not $800
Ok my rant is over :sly:
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Not sure what you're working on ....I use to align all my old chevys myself. I'd just take 2 pieces of lightweight angle iron, and some vice grips, and use that for a measuring device. Slide them apart until they touch at the front of the tires, vice grip em together, then carry that to the backside and see how close you are. When ever I paid to have it done, they'd put it 1/2" or more toe in. I know someone is going to tell me it's suposed to be toe in. But I got tired of buying 160.00 bfg mudders. For the angle iron, I accually used aluminum stair noseing(bullnosing for vinyl floors) just because I had some lying around. Just throwing it ouit there.....
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its a 97 Dodge Ram 1500.
here's what im doing.
Old parts.
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi223.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd269%2F2savage4you%2F001-22.jpg&hash=41058fc8f21475fa41c2582bb10b0979eb808441)
new parts ;D
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi223.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd269%2F2savage4you%2F006-10.jpg&hash=23525ab3c85e6c6149df97854c6a5febc97199a0)
Now the look, this is what it looked like when i brought her home.
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi223.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd269%2F2savage4you%2F002-16.jpg&hash=df8ed312917878a2d8d404e7deb97b410d95c3ff)
Now after the shackles, ( bad pic ) yes the truck is filthy :thumbdown:
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi223.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd269%2F2savage4you%2F009-4.jpg&hash=2fb8a99ed92158e82ec668a0d3d1fecc52bc7db7)
and the look i will end up with by next year......
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi223.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd269%2F2savage4you%2F0904st_01_zdjm_lowering_kit_1997_do.jpg&hash=b752284b43cfd4e07744c0ae3dae99a014365b39)
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How much effort and attention to detail do you really expect a shop to put forth for $29?
It takes 10 minutes to set the truck up on the alignment rack.
-Make sure the thrust angle is correct (rear axle alignment)
-Set the caster
-Set the camber
- Depending on the adjustment type (cam bolts, shims, etc..)this can take a while...and actually requires a brain in most cases.
-Set the Toe
-remove the heads from the vehicle and pull the vehicle off the rack
-road test
-possibly re-rack the vehicle for any futher adjustments needed based on road test.
If you pay the shop $29 for this service, the "tech" probably sees about $10.
I wouldn't do all that for $10....probably wouldn't do it for $29.
The cheapo alignments you see advertised generally don't pay any attention to caster or camber, just set the toe and ship it. I'd be surprised if they actually test drove the vehicle afterwards. You get what you pay for. If you want a halfass alignment...start looking for coupons. If you want a complete and well performed alignment...get your wallet out.
FYI...By lowering the back of your truck, you've changed your caster angle slightly.
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How much effort and attention to detail do you really expect a shop to put forth for $29?
It takes 10 minutes to set the truck up on the alignment rack.
-Make sure the thrust angle is correct (rear axle alignment)
-Set the caster
-Set the camber
- Depending on the adjustment type (cam bolts, shims, etc..)this can take a while...and actually requires a brain in most cases.
-Set the Toe
-remove the heads from the vehicle and pull the vehicle off the rack
-road test
-possibly re-rack the vehicle for any futher adjustments needed based on road test.
If you pay the shop $29 for this service, the "tech" probably sees about $10.
I wouldn't do all that for $10....probably wouldn't do it for $29.
The cheapo alignments you see advertised generally don't pay any attention to caster or camber, just set the toe and ship it. I'd be surprised if they actually test drove the vehicle afterwards. You get what you pay for. If you want a halfass alignment...start looking for coupons. If you want a complete and well performed alignment...get your wallet out.
FYI...By lowering the back of your truck, you've changed your caster angle slightly.
I understand all that ( you get what you pay for ) i was reffering to 5 years ago with the advertised $29 speacial ;D
truck is in the shop now, i was told about fifty bucks. but since it is all new parts i might have to pay more.
And i could pay $200 for a alignment and its out in 20 miles with these roads. Pot holes everywhere.....
but thanks for the info though ;)
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The part you probably don't understand (and believe me I am not critsizing you at all) the alignment rack they have to put it on costs over $75,000 and can four wheel align anything, can provide a full report of the repairs and also has the precision of a lazer beam....
I am not saying that that is your problem, but that tool has to get paid for somehow....
My grandad taught me the old school way of straightening frames and doing full chassis alignments, with the advanced cars these days, it would be a real artform to attempt it with an old school Bear Equipment rack....Which my grandad used for over 40 years. :screwy:
My rant is over, I mean no offense at all, just thought you might enjoy a little insight.
GT
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Make sure that the shop gives you a copy of the before/after settings.
They can say anything they want, but at least the printout will help show what was done.
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Maybe you should just enjoy your vacation and buy one of these . . . http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=135146 (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=135146) I know it ain't a Dodge but then again nothing else is ;D
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How a bout an alignment on my
Grand sons race car from Orange show race sat night in 8/29/09 San Berdodo that wall is hard on the front end even the boy said it hurt as bad as when you get hit on a cart 70mph
and he knows been there.
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a better picture
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Wow! That looks like fun to reassemble, lol.
Ray
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Be done in two weeks and ready to race
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I've smacked the wall at OSS :o not a lot of fun :banghead:
Have fun with the rebuild.
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2 wheel alignment should be 49.95, and 4 wheel should be 79.95..... at least that's what I pay for
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2 wheel alignment should be 49.95, and 4 wheel should be 79.95..... at least that's what I pay for
And thats exactly what i paid ::)
some people don't understand that the shops here in Bullhead are not the same shop you use in Cali. "quality" work is a joke here so why should i pay for someones rack when im getting screwed anyway?
So when you start using our shops , then you can tell me about "quality" :D :D :D
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Soooooo your saying the combination local alignment shop, conveniece store, and hair salon don't cut it there Steve?
;D
Ray
J/K bro, you ARE in the backwoods of the desert, BUT you got a river nearby, I don't!
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Dont forget that they include Powerball sales into every possible location!
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so since you saved 800 bucks does that mean more boat parts ?