Springs and C/C Plate Install... GET IN HERE!!!

StangLou · May 25, 2004

Ok guys, just got some Steeda springs and c/c plates put on the car. The car looks 200% better than it did at jeep height , but I am noticing a slight rubbing sound and vibration in the steering wheel. I got it aligned at Just Tires, thats who my shop recommends, and it felt great leaving. After the install I was literally straining myself to turn the wheel to the right. Got about halfway home and noticed a vibration in the wheel whenever I would move it slightly to the right. Turning left and staying straight it feels fine, but any movement to the right makes a very slight groan and vibration. After Id say an 1/8th of a turn its gone and I can finish the turn and vibration and groan is gone. Its just in the first 1/8 or so of turning the wheel to the right. I can feel a bit more road vibration which I expected, but I wasnt expecting a groan. I called Just Tires again and they said I can bring it in early tomorrow and they will gladly see if there is anything else they can do. Does it sound like alignment to you guys or something else???
Before the install my right front tire is wearing BADLY on the outside. I may only have 5000 miles left tops on that one. The shop looked at it and said everything appears fine, its not toe, and said putting c/c plates on will help an alignment shop work on it more easily. Not to mention it puts a little more shine under the hood
Any ideas or suggestions guys?

jeff1414 · May 25, 2004

does your tire hit the fenderwell? I know mine was doing that. Make sure everything is tight on the cc plates or maybe try a different alignment shop?
But I don't know why it would be so hard to turn??? Maybe something else is wrong?

StangLou · May 25, 2004

It was hard to turn right after the install. They did no adjustments, just put them on and called the tire shop and said hes coming up for an alignment. Driving up there I noticed how hard it was to turn right, left wasnt easy either. After they did their "alignment" it was stock feeling turning left, but it still rubs a bit that first 1/8th of a turn to the right. Its easy to turn now, I can just hear and feel a slight rub and vibration.

CottonBurnerz · May 25, 2004

Hmm.. I went around to do my alignment today but looks like it's going to have to be tomorrow.. how much did it cost to do alignment? They said it takes about an hour and a half or so to do it... So, I figure I'll drop the car off tomorrow and then go see a movie or something.

Right now with Steeda springs, tokico shocks/struts, and MM LCA + no alignment.. The car has no problem turning or anything. I didn't get C/C plate either.. Hope it's okay..

StangLou · May 25, 2004

Took them about 50 minutes, and it was 65 bucks I think it was. I honestly think it will be worked out in the am after they tweak it a little, I just wanted to put my mind at ease by hearing it probably just needs some alignment tweaking

GDawg · May 25, 2004

Have you looked at your tires to see if they show signs of rubbing?

I would turn the wheel as much as possible to the right (or have someone else do it) and look to see what your wheel clearance is. I would do that before too much more driving so you don't damage your tires, fender or something else. Also I would have a look at your tie-rods to insure they have been correctly reconnected.

jeff1414 · May 25, 2004

CottonBurnerz said:
Hmm.. I went around to do my alignment today but looks like it's going to have to be tomorrow.. how much did it cost to do alignment? They said it takes about an hour and a half or so to do it... So, I figure I'll drop the car off tomorrow and then go see a movie or something.

Right now with Steeda springs, tokico shocks/struts, and MM LCA + no alignment.. The car has no problem turning or anything. I didn't get C/C plate either.. Hope it's okay..

I paid 70 for my alignment but some places charge more.

CottonBurnerz · May 25, 2004

jeff1414 said:
I paid 70 for my alignment but some places charge more.

Someone told me that Sears do alignment for you then you can come back to check on the alignment for free of charge.. can anyone confirm that?

jeff1414 · May 25, 2004

CottonBurnerz said:
Someone told me that Sears do alignment for you then you can come back to check on the alignment for free of charge.. can anyone confirm that?

Never heard of that but I would check it out. I just called a alignment place
for lowered cars and they want a $120 for a performance alignment
Let me know if sears does that I will take my car up there

StangLou · May 25, 2004

Not sure about the Sears thing.

Just went out and check clearance and all, nothing is rubbing anywhere that I see. I pulled it in and out of the driveway, but I couldnt get it to duplicate the problem.
Now I sound like a Ford Service Tech
Im driving to the store in a few so Ill see if its still doing it then. I hate it when there is something little wrong that comes and goes. Annoys me to no end!!!

PEWTERPONY · May 25, 2004

You shouldn't be rubbing anything with Steeda springs. Mine are lower than steedas (prokit) and I don't rub at all.

You got other problems.

pony_vert02 · May 25, 2004

Firestone offers a 'free' 12 month f/u on any alignment jobs they do. They also offer a 'life-time' alignment, which for $120.00, you can have it checked/adjusted/realigned for the life of your car.. Just FYI

StangLou · May 25, 2004

Its not anything with the alignment. I just took it back in to alignment shop. He rode around with me and thinks its something in the actual rack. Maybe a tooth has sheered off somewhere in the actual rack is his idea.
He drove and heard/felt what I was talking about as well. His discription was it sounds like the power steering pump is out of fluid. Thats the sound it makes when you start to steer or turn to the right for that first part of the turn. Its no where near as loud as a full blown out of fluid groan, but it sounds almost identical, just a weaker version. There is no pull or anything in the wheel, he looked and everything is still aligned right. He doesnt think its anything that will harm the car, just something thats an annoyance at this time. He is calling the shop tomorrow to tell the guy who works on my car what he thinks and felt. Ill call them tomorrow afternoon and figure out what we are doing from here.
If it is some kind of defect from Ford in the actual rack, Im like 100% positive they are going to laugh at the thought of them fixing it since I now have springs, c/c plates, and new rack bushings.
Oh well, what are some good upgrades to help out in the front end department

CottonBurnerz · May 26, 2004

pony_vert02 said:
Firestone offers a 'free' 12 month f/u on any alignment jobs they do. They also offer a 'life-time' alignment, which for $120.00, you can have it checked/adjusted/realigned for the life of your car.. Just FYI

That's a killer deal.. Thanks for the info bud

anyhow, is the algnment suppose to take more than an hour and a half?

StangLou · May 27, 2004

My alignment took all of 45 minutes.

Went to the shop this am and was able to find the problem.
The new rack bushings we put in changed the angle the steering column was at. It was tapping on one of the tubes on my long tube headers. They were able to walk the tube up some so the steering shaft didnt hit it as I turned. Vibration and noise = GONE!!!

slvrbullIT · May 27, 2004

pony_vert02 said:
Firestone offers a 'free' 12 month f/u on any alignment jobs they do. They also offer a 'life-time' alignment, which for $120.00, you can have it checked/adjusted/realigned for the life of your car.. Just FYI

i have the lifetime, its awesome!

GTblack_00 · May 27, 2004

hmm... good info, in my local area Tire Kingdom is doing 5 yrs/ unlimited adjustment for $140. I talked to my local manager and since I have bought soo many tires from him he told me that I can come in to have it adjusted to custom specs whenever I want. I ask every other place that and it goes something like this...
Hmm.. sorry I dont think I can do that!

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