professor229
Active Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2021
- Messages
- 129
- Reaction score
- 77
- Points
- 28
- Location
- Minnesota
- Vehicle Year
- 2004
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Transmission
- Automatic
My $500 2004 Ranger project is a classic case of "two steps forward; three steps back" thinking.... For every little task I complete I find two or three more problems.... But I am now in the third week so I am nearing the end of the "to do" list on it...... While changing the oil for the first time, I decided to make sure the grease zerks worked.... All of them were decent EXCEPT the outer tie rod on the driver's side. It didn't have a grease zerk... it DID have one but it was broke off and the rubber cup was tattered beyond saving. The tie rod end didn't look all that great either so I just decided to add this problem to the list. I found a decent deal on tie rod ends at Rock Auto after researching MAS tie rod ends and found that they were made by Dorman.... so I ordered two and they arrived today. After I greased everything I jacked up the Ranger, removed the front wheel, and I have replaced tie rods before... in the 60's..... so I reviewed a couple You Tube videos to get some ideas and found one that was spot on as far as procedure/technique.... Since this is a project I thought "why not try this" and I successfully removed the poor tie rod end, counting the number of turns (27.5 turns) so when I put the new one back in place, I should be close/acceptable to the current alignment... and when I then put the old tie rod back in place to wait for the new parts I made sure I used anti seize etc. so I should have zero problems replacing this tie rod....and I am debating whether or not I should also replace the other tie rod end.... but now to the question.....
Should I have it aligned? Should I drive it down the road at 50 mph first or should I just assume alignment is a good idea? Since we are relatively new to the twin cities, I also need to find a reputable alignment shop..... Is there a "chain" that is more reputable than others that I can depend on? I looked at the Walmart website where my friend buys all his tires, and I think I saw alignment on the price list when we were there a month ago, but the website says that most Walmart shops do not do alignment.... I have a local mechanic who has done some work for me and I will ask him for a reputable place but would like to get everyone's two cents on their preference for alignment shops....
PS When I talked to the gal who owned it, she drove it about 50 miles to work a couple times a week and said it liked to cruise down the highway at 60 mph..... but it vibrated a bit at 65..... After restoring the wheels, I found two that must have lost their wheel weights because the balance was way off.... I found the bad tie rod end.... and the two rear tires were severely over inflated (basically bald in the middle). I will need to replace all the tires before this Ranger goes back into service next spring.....
Advice/suggestion appreciated.... and as always, thanks......
Should I have it aligned? Should I drive it down the road at 50 mph first or should I just assume alignment is a good idea? Since we are relatively new to the twin cities, I also need to find a reputable alignment shop..... Is there a "chain" that is more reputable than others that I can depend on? I looked at the Walmart website where my friend buys all his tires, and I think I saw alignment on the price list when we were there a month ago, but the website says that most Walmart shops do not do alignment.... I have a local mechanic who has done some work for me and I will ask him for a reputable place but would like to get everyone's two cents on their preference for alignment shops....
PS When I talked to the gal who owned it, she drove it about 50 miles to work a couple times a week and said it liked to cruise down the highway at 60 mph..... but it vibrated a bit at 65..... After restoring the wheels, I found two that must have lost their wheel weights because the balance was way off.... I found the bad tie rod end.... and the two rear tires were severely over inflated (basically bald in the middle). I will need to replace all the tires before this Ranger goes back into service next spring.....
Advice/suggestion appreciated.... and as always, thanks......
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