Alignment and wheel tilt issues

[ontariof150driver]

My 2023 XLT was perfectly aligned until I hit a big pot hole a few weeks ago. Ever since then the wheel was tilted a bit to the left going straight and the truck pulled a bit right with my hands off the wheel.

I took it to a shop last week for an alignment and to have some SPC adjustable cams installed because I thought they would make it easier to align perfectly and hopefully hold the alignment better once it was in.
Well I drop it off for the day and I go to pick it up and by this point their closing. Apparently they had a hard time getting it right and the tech comes to the service manager and I hear him say "it's not quite right"
I drove about half way home and it was worse than when I brought it in. The wheel now tilted right and pulled to the left...
I decided to just drive it back to the shop and drop it back off because it sucked.
the next morning they call me and ask why my truck is back there and I said it’s totally out, not acceptable. Guy says ok we’ll call you later.
I guess they get it back on the rack and change some things, apparently switch the front tires with the back? Say the left tie rod is almost at the end of the adjustment range?
Anyways, it’s Friday afternoon and I start driving it and guess what? It’s back to the wheel tilting left and pulling right….
By the way, their alignment sheet showed it in spec both times…


At this point I’m pissed so I take it to a different shop that has a good reputation. I tell them what went on and they say bring it in the next day at 1, they can squeeze me in.
I drop the truck off and come back when they called me not long after. They show me their alignment sheet and it shows that the toe was out when I brought it in and now it’s right in spec. They said the alignment stuff was probably out of calibration at the last shop.
Well I drive away, hop on the highway and guess what?? The steering wheel is still tilted left and it pulls right!!

I turned around and went back. Told them this. Back on the rack it goes. The tech thought it might be a computer issue and I might need to go the ford dealer to calibrate it? (It’s a 2023 with lane keep assist only)
Apparently he’s going to “split the difference on the tie rods” or something and I can try that.
Back on the highway I go… wheel still tilts left! (I do think it tracks straighter this time only pulling right slightly).

what do I do here? Take it to the ford dealer? I’m going to be into this for a grand before it’s right…
Take it back to the second shop which seems to be a bit better and they do want to get it right?
anything I can tell them to help them out and get this sorted?

I’ve read a few threads like this and it seems like alignment has always turned out to be the issue bit this can’t be rocked science…

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[jkosh22]

As an auto technician, alignments can be tricky. Every machine is different and result seem to always differ. After I leveled my 21 I had a hard time getting it straight. I’ve aligned it quite a few times. Computer says it’s in spec but it wasn’t. I just adjusted the toe by feel after knowing which way was positive and negative. You could always check your own toe with a jack, tape measure and paint pen also. Time consuming but you won’t have to rely on technology. Used this method on semis when I was wrenching on those.

 

[ontariof150driver]

As an auto technician, alignments can be tricky. Every machine is different and result seem to always differ. After I leveled my 21 I had a hard time getting it straight. I’ve aligned it quite a few times. Computer says it’s in spec but it wasn’t. I just adjusted the toe by feel after knowing which way was positive and negative. You could always check your own toe with a jack, tape measure and paint pen also. Time consuming but you won’t have to rely on technology. Used this method on semis when I was wrenching on those.

Ya I guess I could start trying to do it myself but I’ve paid to shops to do it and I really just think they should be able to get it right…

 

[jkosh22]

Ya I guess I could start trying to do it myself but I’ve paid to shops to do it and I really just think they should be able to get it right…

Yeah I totally get it. You paid for an alignment, whenever we have a come back we do it til it’s right. Not all shops work that way. I think ford would be a good way to go as they do more of these trucks than anyone. Look for a coupon online or a special as a lot of people are buying new tires. A lot of dealers/shops will have deals going on!

 

[bjl95mustang]

After my Bilstein 6112 leveling kit the first shop didn't know how to adjust properly. I even pre installed the cam bolts.

Second shop was way better. As soon as the guy asked if I was changing my tires size and rims after the leveling kit I felt better. They even showed me the before and after. It was not good.

My opinion is this is becoming a lost art, but at the expense of paying to find the right shop. Even if it’s no charge to get them to adjust after the first try, the should have been right the first time.

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