Cjdillon

I have a '13 screw xlt 4x4 recently put a 1.5" level and 20x9 wheels with 285/55/20 tires. I took it to the dealer to get aligned and they are wanting to install a caster/ camber kit to level the truck upon questioning them they had said it does not need it, but they will not perform the job without it. The kit from the auto parts store is $45. Ford wants to charge me $275 to install the kit and another 90 to align it. My question is do I need to have the caster kit installed? I dont believe with such a small level that this is needed, espically for them to want to charge me $275 for installation of a bolt... Any advice is helpful!

NASSTY

The only adjustment they should need to make is the tow. Go to a different alignment shop.

Cjdillon

Yeah once I looked at the part online I told them to take it down.

Cjdillon

Has anyone else had to do any of the caster bolt kits?

RLXXI

I did and it helped that my lift kit came with them. Any type of lift or level will require a camber and toe adjustment and can only be done by replacing the stock bolts with the cams, that is where camber and caster are adjusted. Toe is adjusted at the tie rod ends.





I think the price they want to charge you is ridiculously high and suggest you find another alignment shop but you absolutely need them.

Alignment is one of my specialties

dosman

My two 2013 Screws have 1.5" Auto-Spring levels. I asked Kevin (owner) specifically about realignment (which they did right after the spacers went on in their Boise shop). He said just the toe. Both trucks perfect ever after.

I wonder if Ford is mandating that "kit" or if that one's on the dealer. Either way it's a ripoff for what you need.

Cjdillon

I also have the autospring kit. I am going to a different shop tomorrow to get it aligned. Thanks for the reply!

dosman

I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results. In the case of my 6.5 box, the 1.5" level left me with a faint rake. The 5.5 box had a touch more.

All I shared was my experience and what I was told by Kevin. Guy knows what he's doing and has big govt EcoBoost contracts to back it up (over 900 lift kits, mostly Border Patrol he said). Only charged me $200 for the parts-alignment-labor; had the truck back in 2 hours. Competence.

torinalth

it does not need just toe in many cases. the front LCA is slotted and the camber kits (I used the MOOG kit) make it easier to get the alignment set and keeps the alignment set for longer so that ideally you would only need to adjust toe from that point on. Many Raptor owners do the same thing as it prevents movement when jostling or impacts. Also a good idea due to potholes. cheap insurance.

As far as "needing it" probably not. however when lifted it puts additional stress on the LCA making it much harder to get into spec if it gets out. the cammed bolts or nuts (depending on the kit) allows for leverage to get them back aligned. Just a thought, I wouldn't discount it that easily. I was told by meineke that I was aligned, but was all jacked still.. all they did was toe while caster and camber is still out. Got the kit and took it to another place and got it done correctly.

NASSTY

Maybe not in every case...but the tow was the only adjustment needed after leveling my 06,11 and 14. My friend has owned an alignment business for over 30 years and I was right there to see what he did. Here is the alignment sheet from my 14 showing that the only adjustment needed was the tow.