stangdad

I've seen many of the threads here talking suspension upgrades and cost for parts, but never any high dollar quotes for an alignment. I assumed not much, but a favored shop just quoted my $895. Is that crazy?

Here's what I've installed (myself) on my 07 GT: FRPP handling pack, Steeda bumpsteer+X5 balljoint+upper strut mount kit (adjustable). I chickend out on installing the control arm relo kit based on other threads (install hassle plus concerns post install).

Should I expect to pay that much for an alignment for street use?

Thanks for the feedback.

UrS4

Four wheel alignment from the Ford dealer was $120, as part of the 15,000 mile service recommendation.

I would hope that the $895 is correcting way more than your camber and caster. It better correct any pinion angle changes, axle center, and putting the caster and camber to your specs, not the Ford manual. But I didn't think there was much adj in the FRPP handling kit so it shouldn't be THAT expensive.

Norm Peterson

Other than tuning the bumpsteer adjustments, I really don't see anything in the way of additional tasks (I don't, for example, see 'cornerweighting', which could run up the bill a bit). Possibly the standard adjustments might be more involved due to the lowering, but $900 is on the order of 10 hours shop rate. By 'control arm relo kit', are you referring to the front or rear suspension?

The sort of charge that starts making it reasonable to learn how to do the job yourself given that you've already demonstratedwhat appears to be sufficient mechanical aptitude. FWIW,it's easier than you might expect from looking at the high-$ alignment rack in the shop to get entirely satisfactory results using less than $100 worth of measuring "equipment". Been doing all mine for 25 years or so with satisfactory results. Anyway, and at the very least, you'd have some idea where everything stands. I've got a write-up if you're interested. Not sure which of three computers it's on, but there may beone with a coupleof pictures on my work computer.


Norm

Aziraphale

Front wheel alignment I paid $45 for in another car. Even for a 4 wheel alignment that's a bit odd. Ask them why it is so expensive and what they are doing to get to that price.

stangdad

Thanks, guys. $50-100 was what I was expecting.

Norm, I am interested in your write-up for DIY. I'd always prefer to do this stuff myself, especially with three driving sons in the family to work on it together. The tools always look cheap the second go-round.

Re the relo kit, that is for the front control arm. Said shop and Steeda both recommended this, but the write-up describing the need for a 1/2" angle drill (plus recommended welding) stopped me. That was getting expensive for the tools, plus I've seen mentions of it causes bumping noises. Having just gotten rid of the front-end thunking with the Steeda upper struct mount (nice piece) I wasn't excited about the risk of more noises like that.

If I get setup to do the alignments myself, I can always revisit that decision.

Norm Peterson

You have mail.