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PolarBear03
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
Premium Member
join:2005-01-03

PolarBear03

Premium Member

Re: Wheel bearing and alignment

So I got the rig back this morn. The wheel in question is still tilted in at the top, and the steering wheel is still slightly off center. The rear feels horribly loose when turning corners.

They say it's because the knuckle is bad, but I still don't see how the alignment could have been perfect before, and isn't now.

rds24a
Teach Your Children
Premium Member
join:2000-12-13
Newton Upper Falls, MA

rds24a

Premium Member

What led you to take the vehicle in in the first place?

Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium Member
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30

Doctor Olds to PolarBear03

Premium Member

to PolarBear03
said by PolarBear03:

So I got the rig back this morn. The wheel in question is still tilted in at the top, and the steering wheel is still slightly off center. The rear feels horribly loose when turning corners.

They say it's because the knuckle is bad, but I still don't see how the alignment could have been perfect before, and isn't now.
If the knuckle was bad (is bad), they should not have put it back together with a new bearing as any technician knows that is not a proper fix/repair.

I'm thinking it is time to have Ford or an alignment or suspension specialist look at it to see what the other shop may have torn up.

It just doesn't sound like they know what they are doing.

Regards,

Doctor Olds

PolarBear03
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
Premium Member
join:2005-01-03

PolarBear03

Premium Member

Good idea. I'll call the Ford dealer to see if they'll eyeball it for me.
PolarBear03

PolarBear03 to rds24a

Premium Member

to rds24a
said by rds24a:

What led you to take the vehicle in in the first place?
said by PolarBear03:

Yesterday, I had the right rear wheel bearing replaced.

rds24a
Teach Your Children
Premium Member
join:2000-12-13
Newton Upper Falls, MA

rds24a

Premium Member

But what were the symptoms that led to you needing to replace that bearing?

PolarBear03
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
Premium Member
join:2005-01-03

PolarBear03

Premium Member

said by rds24a:

But what were the symptoms that led to you needing to replace that bearing?
Um, it failed? I'm not sure what you're asking. Do you think the wheel bearing wasn't the problem?

rds24a
Teach Your Children
Premium Member
join:2000-12-13
Newton Upper Falls, MA

rds24a

Premium Member

Well, the symptoms could indicate if there were other problems before you took it in. If the only thing you were experiencing was the typical rolling, grinding noise, then it is more likely they messed something up. But if you also had a vibration, shimmy, pull, or other symptoms then it might indicate something else. The other question would be how the bearing failed...was it a gradual process just due to mileage/age or did you hit a pothole?

Just the interview process a good shop would do to make sure they're fixing the correct problem correctly, which it appears this shop didn't do.

PolarBear03
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
Premium Member
join:2005-01-03

PolarBear03

Premium Member

Now I understand. No out of the ordinary symptoms, alignment was perfect and it otherwise drove absolutely perfect. Just started hearing the grinding noise when turning left, so I pushed on the tire and it wiggled a little. It failed gradually over time, due to age and use (145k miles, many of which pulling trailers which is not what this rig is designed for).

No, the shop didn't ask me a single thing. Also, they didn't mention the knuckle was bad until after they fixed it the second time. One would think that if the knuckle were bad that they would have noticed it while they had the hub torn apart fixing the bearing, but strangely, it wasn't bad until the "alignment."

rds24a
Teach Your Children
Premium Member
join:2000-12-13
Newton Upper Falls, MA

rds24a

Premium Member

To me, there's no excuse for releasing a vehicle to a customer in that condition with the expectation that the customer will be fine with it. I'm not sure there's even enough adjustment in that rear suspension that if they were doing a true 4-wheel alignment (chances are they are not) that they could correct a visible camber problem.

You're going to destroy your tires if that wheel is that far off plus it is a safety problem if, in fact, something isn't together right. One possibility that was suggested to me was that they jacked the vehicle on the control arm and not the proper frame location, and consequently bent the control arm.

PolarBear03
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
Premium Member
join:2005-01-03

PolarBear03

Premium Member

said by rds24a:

To me, there's no excuse for releasing a vehicle to a customer in that condition with the expectation that the customer will be fine with it. I'm not sure there's even enough adjustment in that rear suspension that if they were doing a true 4-wheel alignment (chances are they are not) that they could correct a visible camber problem.
My thoughts exactly.

As as far as safety, I'll only be running around town with it for the weekend (low speeds), no going down the highway. I made an appointment with the Ford dealer on Monday to have them look at it, and I'll see what they say.