Tire shop can’t align my Ranger properly.

[SaberRanger]

I just got new tires put on my 2019 Ranger FX4. I work at Walmart and I got a great deal with my Christmas discount.

They don’t do alignments at our tire shop so I had to take it to another one for the alignment.

The previous owner had a 2.5 level kit installed and I don’t know if they ever had it properly aligned. My old tires were wearing on the outer edge so I wanted to get an alignment so I don’t ruin my new tires.

When I got the alignment they said they couldn’t get it into factory spec because the side cams are maxed out.

They also said that my left outer tie rod end has play. Before the alignment my trucks steering wheel was perfectly straight and it drove straight with a small amount of wandering on the freeway.

now I have to hold my steering wheel to the left slightly to go straight and if I hold it straight it drives to the right, it seems worse after the alignment.

Would the lift and slightly bigger tires (265/70/17) cause it to not be able to be aligned properly?

Would the lift also cause the tie rod to wear out prematurely? My truck only has 30,000 miles.

Now I have an appointment with the Ford Dealership to get the tie rod looked at and the alignment.

Anyone else have alignment issues with a level kit and bigger tires?

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[JimJ]

I just got new tires put on my 2019 Ranger FX4. I work at Walmart and I got a great deal with my Christmas discount.

They don’t do alignments at our tire shop so I had to take it to another one for the alignment.

The previous owner had a 2.5 level kit installed and I don’t know if they ever had it properly aligned. My old tires were wearing on the outer edge so I wanted to get an alignment so I don’t ruin my new tires.

When I got the alignment they said they couldn’t get it into factory spec because the side cams are maxed out.

They also said that my left outer tie rod end has play. Before the alignment my trucks steering wheel was perfectly straight and it drove straight with a small amount of wandering on the freeway.

now I have to hold my steering wheel to the left slightly to go straight and if I hold it straight it drives to the right, it seems worse after the alignment.

Would the lift and slightly bigger tires (265/70/17) cause it to not be able to be aligned properly?

Would the lift also cause the tie rod to wear out prematurely? My truck only has 30,000 miles.

Now I have an appointment with the Ford Dealership to get the tie rod looked at and the alignment.

Anyone else have alignment issues with a level kit and bigger tires?

It’s Les Swab , I wouldn’t trust them to do anything!!

 

[RedlyrsRevenge]

It’s Les Swab , I wouldn’t trust them to do anything!!

^This^
I had them fix a flat on my Mustang once because it was a weekend and everyone else was closed. They somehow managed to fail at that and put the tire back on backwards.

I would get a second opinion from a local reputable tire shop.

 

[AzScorpion]

I have the same set up with a 2.5" level and 265/70/17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers. It can be aligned right just bring it to another shop who knows what they're doing . Here's my most recent alignment (Brakes Plus) which you can see the before and after.

 

[SaberRanger]

It’s Les Swab , I wouldn’t trust them to do anything!!

Yeah, I have never had good luck with them.

Unfortunately they were the only place I could get into on short notice before going on a 200 mile trip.

 

[Rp930]

Easily fixed. See if they will correct it.

Verify the loose tie rod and replace then have them or somebody correct the toe.

 

[Msfitoy]

I have the same set up with a 2.5" level and 265/70/17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers. It can be aligned right just bring it to another shop who knows what they're doing . Here's my most recent alignment (Brakes Plus) which you can see the before and after.

Same here...285/70-17...find a shop recommended by truck owners...

 

[AzScorpion]

Same here...285/70-17...find a shop recommended by truck owners...

I was lucky because the manager there and most of the workers all have trucks or Jeeps and are use to modding out there vehicles. They'll also do some off road stuff (level kits, lifts, sliders) that technically they don't do there. I'll usually send over a pizza for them afterwards for helping me out. ?

 

[Whiplash]

I have my alignments done at a shop that is across the street from a shop that specializes in truck suspension mods....the tech there says after 2.0" of lift or leveling, factory specs no longer apply......he does alignments on about a dozen per week that the custom shop sends his way, lifted and slammed ...I trust his expertise...

Currently I'm at 3.0" lift in the front , 1.0" in the rear , with after market UCAs and tie rod ends, extended travel on front and rear....255 / 70 R18 tires, ( 32.0" dia) The before numbers are from when I had 2.5" lift front , stock height rear, that saw 100 plus miles of offroading, 3000 miles of street...only minor changes were needed after the additional lift.... handles great, and no abnormal tire wear with my numbers....

.

 

[SaberRanger]

It’s hard to tell from this pic so let me know if I’m being to OCD.

this is how I have to hold the wheel on the freeway to go straight. It is not horribly off but just off enough to drive my ocd crazy.?

 

[AzScorpion]

It’s hard to tell from this pic so let me know if I’m being to OCD.

this is how I have to hold the wheel on the freeway to go straight. It is not horribly off but just off enough to drive my ocd crazy.?

I don't think so but I'm as OCD as they come, sometimes it's a curse. You shouldn't have to fight the wheel at all and it should track straight as an arrow. Mine had a slight pull from 2 years of driving and off roading so it was time for another alignment. Hopefully you can find another shop that can do the job right for you.

 

[Rp930]

It’s hard to tell from this pic so let me know if I’m being to OCD.

this is how I have to hold the wheel on the freeway to go straight. It is not horribly off but just off enough to drive my ocd crazy.?

Easily fixed.

 

[D Fresh]

After my lift, 2" front ⅝" rear, I had the dealership align my truck. They got everything within specs but the whole experience was a bit sketchy, and I never felt confident in their work.

After dropping the coin on some new tires I started questioning the alignment. I looked over my printout again and although my experience is from sports cars it didn't look right.

Recently I took it to the local 4 Wheel Parts. The service manager explained where my concerns were correct, and where they weren't. They set my truck up well and I'm very confident in their work.

I learned this lesson before with custom suspensions on trakday/autoX cars before. I just figured that trucks should be a little easier.

If you have a 4 Wheel Parts local to you I'd suggest them for alignment. If not them, a shop that specializes in 4x4 and lifted vehicles. From now on the only vehicles of mine that the dealership aligns will be those with factory suspensions.

 

[VegasRanger]

Here’s a related issue, but not sure because I’m new to this. It appears my right front is a half inch higher at the top of the wheel well than my driver side. I saw this a few weeks ago, should I take it to dealer soon or will I be good another month until I take it in for oil change?

TIA

oh, and also If this is a thread hijack, I apologize.

I have this same issue on mine. My front left is about half inch lower than my front right after the 2.5 leveling kit.

As far the the OP, I have 2.5 and 265/70/17 and had no issues getting proper alignment.

 

[tehschkott]

Look for a shop that will do a "max caster alignment". That phrase specifically. That will usually get the conversation on the right path. This immediately got woah woah woahs from Les Schwab and Pep Boys and in both cases they referred me to more reputable shops. They cost a little more - $125 instead of $85 - but at least they know their business, it wasn't some idiot kid just running "the alignment machine".

My 2c

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