Alignment out of specs after 2 days

[Backpacker74]

I have searched the forum and have not yet found a clear fix. My 2016 Expedition (112,000 mi) started making a tire noise when I would turn hard right or left (like when pulling into or out of a parking space) The tire noise was similar to when your drive 4High of dry pavement. High speed stability was also not the same as I was used to. Took to the shop and they ran through suspension, 4 wheel drive engagement, rotated tires, no tire wear, it all checks out as in good shape and tight. Alignment was off on front tires and one rear, so they adjusted and the truck drove perfect again for two days, then the sound and bad handling came back. Took back to shop, where they checked all again and adjustment nuts for alignment were tight, but my fronts were out of specs again. Shop fixed alignment, but now again after 2 days, truck is acting up again...any thoughts I can give the shop of where to go with this? They seemed perplexed how it could have fallen out of specs again. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[rwmorrisonjr]

Have they checked for wear in the ball joints, UCAs, or LCAs? They all tend to wear out after about 100k miles. I'm getting ready to do a full front end refresh (UCAs, LCAs, sway bar bushings) since I have 167k on mine and some front end clunking, but even with that mine still holds an alignment.

 

[Trainmaster]

Assuming they did the alignment properly, and that is a huge assumption, something is worn or loose. Since this shop can't find the problem, I'd suggest you start over with someone who can properly diagnose a front end problem. This is basic stuff, but it seems that anyone today who can afford a "computerized" alignment stand is in the front end business.

As rwmorrsionjr states, you have something worn.

 

[mjp2]

Take a good look at the alignment assembly. I recently replaced mine with factory stuff only to find it broken in less than a year.

^That's an aftermarket kit but the design is the same. Those plates with the alignment tabs each have a single tab that fits into a hole in the frame. On mine that tab broke off so the entire plate could move around, thus negating any alignment settings.

Moog makes what looks to be a proper solution. I have a set of these on a shelf waiting to be installed:

It doesn't explain why your rear alignment would fail but it could definitely explain what's going on up front.

 

[plumcolr]

Moog system works better. The ears on the stamped steel guides too easily bent by a ham-****** mechanic. Plus I don't care for those bolts with one flat side.

That said, most shops do not tighten the bolts sufficiently, including and especially dealer service. Spec is for 258 ( !!! that's a lot) lb-ft. Had a Ford dealer do mine, alignment went out with an audible crunch when I pulled out of his lot. Found a front-end specialist, gave him the history and the torque setting, No more problems.

 

[macbox]

... most shops do not tighten the bolts sufficiently, including and especially dealer service. Spec is for 258 ( !!! that's a lot) lb-ft. Had a Ford dealer do mine, ...

That is a lot of torque. I know I'm going to redo mine eventually, how do I reach that amount or torque at home with a wrench and pipe extension, or do I just need to find a good shop since it is such a big machine? I've done Saturn crank ends at 160, and that has worked fine, but 250 seems like a lot. Also redone a Saturn front end, but that was simple compared to this.

 

[Trainmaster]

Without a torque wrench, I'd say use a 1/2" drive breaker bar with a pipe on it and give it all you've got about 30" from the nut...

 

[plumcolr]

With a 30 inch bar, you need just about 100 lb to get 250 on the socket. Doable if the vehicle is elevated.