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Need an alignment shop in the Denver metro area. I have a 2003 dodge ram 2500 4x4 that needs an alignment badly. Anyone with good experiences with any shop, please share. Last shop I took it to didn't know how to adjust my upper ball joints...lame[Rant1]
do you have the factory ball joints? the factory joints in my 2005, ram 350 were non adjustable. is it possible yours are worn out.
that may be the alignment issue.
Brake plus will tell you that you need to replace them. The suck!!!! There is supposed to be play in them. I took mine to the dealer and they charged me 79 bucks.
Tire Stop in Boulder. Tim does excellent work.
303-449-0581
lakewood alignment they do factory cars and my street rod.
I took my suburban in and said, "I think it's got a ball joint going." They gave it back to me and said "bring it to us more often it was WAY out of alignment" $45 was the charge.
Merrill Axle & Wheel Services
7800 W 16th Ave Lakewood, CO 80214-6004 - (303) 237-8846
Open Mon-Sat 7:30am-5pm
Always done good work for me and the neighbor just took his truck there, they went all through it looking for something that was wrong and only charged $15. (had a wobble at high speed and we couldn't find anything wrong - nor did they)
Good people.
^^ Lakewood Alignment is good too, have used them for years.
Astro automotive
x2 on merrill axle,
there is a very minimal amount of play allowed in the ball joint. lift the front end and place a lever under the tires. if they lift up and down on the joint easily or rock in and out when leverage is placed on the upper and lower outside of the tire, they could very well be worn out. if you have the cummins diesel weighing down your front end like i do, i would be surprised that you went this long without needing new ones. the factory ball joints are not known for their longevity.
mine went out at about 87k miles, the dealer said they were still in factory spec, but they had way too much play ion them and the wear was showing in my tires, but i also live in the mountains and have a twisty ride for a commute. when i used to commute.
carquest has a nice set of adjustables, they are not hard to replace if you are mechanically inclined. harbour freight has a ball joint tool for 39 bucks that will do the job.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ah Pook
I agree. they do custom alignments also
Yea brakes plus sucks and I will never give them my business! They tried to sell me drilled and slotted rotors for my dodge which has the cummins engine...it's my work horse not a race carQuote:
Originally Posted by Sixgun
Thanks I'll try Merrill axle since it's closer than boulder. I just did the upper and lower ball joints as well as the hub assemblys and front axle u-joints. I drive upwards of 4k miles a month and do most the maintenance myself!Quote:
Originally Posted by rockhound
This guy is an ARFCOMmer...
Might give him call tomorrow also if Merrill can't do it by Friday. On his main page it says "alignments soon".Quote:
Originally Posted by Ridge
interesting, couple blocks from me. Talked to them a while back about my truck - laughed at me, they have no experience with carbs and couldn't help me. No engine computer, no work. Seemed like decent people though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ridge
His website is out of date. His alignment rack has been up and running for a couple months.Quote:
Originally Posted by opie011
That suprises me. Chris is one of the most humble guys I know..you sure it wasn't one of the shops next door?Quote:
Originally Posted by gnihcraes
Pretty sure the same shop, looks like the same guy. Again, they didn't want to tackle the vehicle with the carb. Didn't have enough experience or kept current with carbs for them to feel they could provide a resolution.
Seemed like decent folks though. I'd give them a shot on other repair issues.
Well here I sit at Merrill axle and feeling like I'm getting hosed. The guys seem real nice but kinda nickle and dime me. $80 for the alignment and then $50 a side depending on time to adjust my upper ball joints. Would think that's apart of an alignment and they had to ask me how to adjust the ball joints. Oh well got the caster where I wanted but the camber is on the very high end of the specs which the guy said it would cause little outside wear on the tires but would put the toe in to minimum specs to help the wear out. Overall experience, nice guys but make sure you have all your questions about their pricing answered before you have them start.
Sorry to hear that. What type of vehicle is it?
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 with the Cummins
Didja get a reach around?Quote:
Originally Posted by opie011
or at least a nibble on your ear?
[quote=
Thanks I'll try Merrill axle since it's closer than boulder. I just did the upper and lower ball joints as well as the hub assemblys and front axle u-joints. I drive upwards of 4k miles a month and do most the maintenance myself![/quote]
explains why you have adjustable ball joints. my new joints just take an allen wrench in the top no big mystery.
Yep mine are the same way. Allen wrench to adjust the ball joint once the stud nut was loose...Quote:
Originally Posted by rockhound
I have to say, I go to Firestone for their lifetime alignment for around $99 or so, then anytime I need aligned for as long as I have the vehicle it's free.