Does a 1999 Ford Taurus need a rear wheel alignment?
I bought a new front (passenger side) tire 2 & 1/2 years ago and went to get an alignment at The Tire Store. The fellow told me that he couldn't do it - I needed new struts, tie rods, and ball joints. Since then I've been rebuilding my suspension all around, plus new brakes.
I bought a new tire for the other front wheel 5 months ago, and went to get an alignment again, and the fellows at the same Tire Store told me that once again, I needed new struts. The struts were replaced 2-3 months before. My mechanic, Al, said they just wanted to take my money and recommended a different shop. I made an appointment for a four-wheel alignment.
The fellow at that shop said he couldn't do it because my tie rods were shot, and showed me the 'click' when he wiggled the wheel (They were replaced 5 months ago)… Al's junior mechanic verified the problem. I read online that driving a car with shot alignment can blow your tie rods. It's possible that happened.So, today I got new tie rods again, and he also aligned the front manually so I don't blow the them again while I save for the alignment.Al also told me that rear alignments can't be done. The rear wheels are fixed, and the front is aligned to the rear wheels. I'm confused because both shops were prepared to do front and rear alignments. Al said they were just trying to take my money. Should I be asking for front & rear alignment or just front? There's a big difference in the price. Thanks in advance for any clarity you can offer.
Your 99' Tortoise has a straight solid beam rear axle so the aliment won't change unless the bushings are rotten.
The factory service manual for my Oldsmobile says not to check for slack in the ball joints unless there's weight on the wheels, lifting the car in the air and showing the customer the slack is the oldest trick for selling unneeded parts.
If the rear Tires are wearing evenly get a 2 wheel alignment. If not get a 4. But check the Wheel Bearings in back anyway.
Every FWD vehicle I ever worked on needed a 4 wheel alignment. The rear suspension needs to be aligned first before the front is done.
There should be a rear toe adjustment point on both sides in the rear.
Sounds like you should go to the dealer since you don't find good mechanics!
You're driving a 20-year-old car! It's not worth the money you're throwing at it!
You probably don't need all that stuff. I can't get an alignment on my car either, because the rack and pinion is worn out in the middle. But the guy wasn't trying to sell me anything, because his shop can't do that kind of work (at least, he didn't suggest it).
No, it needs an all wheel alignment which all FWD automobiles require.
- What wheel nuts does my car need? I bought this car with mags on each wheel, but now have a stockie on one and its loose. Does any one know what wheel nuts i ll need to get? i don't want to buy the wrong ones a third time. it's a 1991 ford fairmont ghia
- What wheel nuts does my car need? - 1 I bought this car with mags on each wheel, but now have a stockie on one and its loose. Does any one know what wheel nuts i'll need to get? i don't want to buy the wrong ones a third time. it's a 1991 ford fairmont ghia ea
- Which car is the overall to keep for a couple of yrs? 1999 Nissan maxima, 1999 Altima, 2006 ford Taurus or 2002 buick lesabre? All of them have low mileage as the Taurus have 69000 and the maxima have the highest of 123000. They all under 1100 bucks.
- What Ford Taurus bumpers (front or rear) would fit a 2003 ford Taurus ses? Looking around and seen someone with a 2004 front bumper on a 2003. Looks nice but curious if any other bumpers would fit? I installed new centennial edition headlights with Silver Star Ultra lights. here's what it looks like so far.