Did my service adviser lie to me?

[40th GT]

I went to Ford to get an alignment, and the service adviser tells me that I need a 4 wheel alignment because I have a Mustang. I always thought that a 2 wheel would get the job done since I don't have IRS, but I wasn't completely sure so I didn't argue with her. I ended up paying $100 for it, and now I'm checking with you guys so I don't make the mistake again.

So, 2 wheel or 4 wheel?

 

[BobHyatt]

I went to Ford to get an alignment, and the service adviser tells me that I need a 4 wheel alignment because I have a Mustang. I always thought that a 2 wheel would get the job done since I don't have IRS, but I wasn't completely sure so I didn't argue with her. I ended up paying $100 for it, and now I'm checking with you guys so I don't make the mistake again.

So, 2 wheel or 4 wheel?

It's for real. The rear axle is not welded to the frame, so one side can move forward or backword just a bit and make your mustang run down the road like you see some dogs trot, with the rear end out to one side or the other a small amount.

Now whether they actually adjust it or not is another issue. It is not trivial.

 

[BennyBlown2v]

It's for real. The rear axle is not welded to the frame, so one side can move forward or backword just a bit and make your mustang run down the road like you see some dogs trot, with the rear end out to one side or the other a small amount.

Now whether they actually adjust it or not is another issue. It is not trivial.

And how would they go about making "adjustments"? You can't exactly change the rear alignment without adjustable parts, or to put it back into spec replacing with stock parts, or putting the axle housing on a jig and pulling it straight.

Front end alignment is all you need unless your tires are wearing oddly in the rear - and even then all a "four wheel alignment" will do is show you the readout for the rear end, a solid axle can't just be moved around stock.

 

[Kraw]

I had a Jeep TJ, I aligned the front end often

 

[SaleenGT2001]

It's for real. The rear axle is not welded to the frame, so one side can move forward or backword just a bit and make your mustang run down the road like you see some dogs trot, with the rear end out to one side or the other a small amount.

Now whether they actually adjust it or not is another issue. It is not trivial.

COMPLETE BS!!!!
there is no adjsutment for thrust angle in our cars

i am an ASE certified alignment tech andi can tell you that there are absolutely zero adjustments that can be made to the rear of a non IRS mustang. if you have adjustable uppers and lowers thats a different story, but stock is a 2 wheel alignment.


ask them to show you how they adjusted the rear of the car. a copy of your alignment specs would be great too. i wanna see how bad they ripped you off

 

[Superhereaux]

i've NEVER seen anyone perform a 2 wheel alignment nor have i ever performed one myself


i'm sure people do them but since eveything is already set up i don't see the point of not checking the rear

 

[SaleenGT2001]

in my shop a 4 wheel alignment would be an accord of something of that nature.

anything with a solid rear axle is just a 2 wheel. we still use all 4 sensors but since the rear isnt adjusted it is only a 2 wheel alignment

you are aligning the 2 front wheels to match the rear wheels

 

[Tally_4.6]

This man speaks the truth ^ ^ Solid rear end on our cars = 2 wheel alignment.

 

[Superhereaux]

in my shop if all 4 sensors are put on the car it's a 4 wheel alignment whether or not adjustments are done

every shop is different. i'm sure your dealer checked all 4 to cover their ass. if they do a 2 wheel align, you drive off and later you find you have a bent lower control arm in the rear you could go after the dealer for not telling you about it

 

[mransr]

in my shop if all 4 sensors are put on the car it's a 4 wheel alignment whether or not adjustments are done

every shop is different. i'm sure your dealer checked all 4 to cover their ass. if they do a 2 wheel align, you drive off and later you find you have a bent lower control arm in the rear you could go after the dealer for not telling you about it

I did front end and work and alingments for for about 5 years, and was a service writer for a few more...and that agrees with my experience...
just because there aren't any adjustments on the rear of a Mustang doesn't mean you should only align the 2 front wheels

 

[SaleenGT2001]

in my shop if all 4 sensors are put on the car it's a 4 wheel alignment whether or not adjustments are done

every shop is different. i'm sure your dealer checked all 4 to cover their ass. if they do a 2 wheel align, you drive off and later you find you have a bent lower control arm in the rear you could go after the dealer for not telling you about it

thats a good point. i always look at the rear toe and thrust angle even though it isnt adjustable, just to make sure nothing is bent. i guess they charged you extra for putting the rear two sensors on.

 

[BlackenedSVT]

I have performed alignments on my 2002 GT at my BMW dealership after hours. The alignment machine does not even let you adjust anything in the rear of the cars since they are live axel, the numbers in degrees/minutes are grayed out...meaning they are non-adjustable.

Ford should only be giving you a 2 wheel alignment.

On another note, if you paid $100 for a "4" wheel alignment, thats pretty good, considering my dealership (BMW) charges $220 for a 4 wheel alignment

 

[SaleenGT2001]

we charge $69 for a 4 wheel alignment

 

[Kilgore Trout]

My Ford dealership charges $69 for four wheel alignment and, oh by the way, they actually know the difference between GT SRA and Cobra IRS

However, the SRA does move left to right (up to two inches I believe) and they may be talking about re-orienting it but its just gonna move again so what is the point?

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

There is only a front end alingment for all year Mustangs, and Cobras except for 99-01 Cobras and 03-04 Cobras. Everything else is solid axle. 4 bolts hold the axle to our body, and they go in and out one way...no adjustments. I would go back there and get money back. A 2 wheel alignment (replacing no parts) should cost no more than 44 dollars.

 

[BobHyatt]

COMPLETE BS!!!!
there is no adjsutment for thrust angle in our cars

i am an ASE certified alignment tech andi can tell you that there are absolutely zero adjustments that can be made to the rear of a non IRS mustang. if you have adjustable uppers and lowers thats a different story, but stock is a 2 wheel alignment.


ask them to show you how they adjusted the rear of the car. a copy of your alignment specs would be great too. i wanna see how bad they ripped you off

I didn't say it was adjustable. I did say the check is legitimate. The rear end can definitely move if you hit something. Just look at how it is held in place. Fixing it is generally a matter of replacing parts of course. But I have seen more than one that runs caddy-cornered. Usually because of a wreck and something bent.

 

[BobHyatt]

I have performed alignments on my 2002 GT at my BMW dealership after hours. The alignment machine does not even let you adjust anything in the rear of the cars since they are live axel, the numbers in degrees/minutes are grayed out...meaning they are non-adjustable.

Ford should only be giving you a 2 wheel alignment.

On another note, if you paid $100 for a "4" wheel alignment, thats pretty good, considering my dealership (BMW) charges $220 for a 4 wheel alignment

That's no surprise. A BMW dealer also charges 275 bucks for a front-wheel caliper bracket on a 323i. I can buy the whole bracket and caliper and rotor and bearings for less than that for other cars.
Most likely for _both_ wheels.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

I didn't say it was adjustable. I did say the check is legitimate. The rear end can definitely move if you hit something. Just look at how it is held in place. Fixing it is generally a matter of replacing parts of course. But I have seen more than one that runs caddy-cornered. Usually because of a wreck and something bent.

The rear end can be moved if you hit something yes, BUT if the rear end moves...it is one of two things:

1. The axle housing is bent.

2. The torque boxes, and or frame is bent.

These two things are nothing an alignment can fix. It would have to be taken to a collision shop and pulled on a frame rack. Axle housings can be straightened, but most ring and pinion shops will not do it.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

The rear end can be moved if you hit something yes, BUT if the rear end moves...it is one of two things:

1. The axle housing is bent.

2. The torque boxes, and or frame is bent.

These two things are nothing an alignment can fix. It would have to be taken to a collision shop and pulled on a frame rack. Axle housings can be straightened, but most ring and pinion shops will not do it.

I disagree the rear end moves side to side up to 2 inches one way or the other unless you have watts linkage or panhard bar to firmly locate it. The stock UCAs and LCAs do not solidly locate the axle assembly left/right and there is up to two inches left/right play.

 

[40th GT]

I disagree the rear end moves side to side up to 2 inches one way or the other unless you have watts linkage or panhard bar to firmly locate it. The stock UCAs and LCAs do not solidly locate the axle assembly left/right and there is up to two inches left/right play.

Yeah you're right, I feel the rear end shifting when I'm driving through uneven road surfaces or when I'm taking fast s-curves. It's a horrible feeling.