$4,000 for a front end alignment

[KS Toronado]

Last edited Sat Jun 7, 2025, 07:41 PM - Edit history (1)

2002 Ford Explorer Sport with 125,000 miles. Steering was pulling to the left just a little, would only
notice it at highway speeds so I took it to an alignment shop. Believe my mistake was telling them,
"sure whatever it needs".

It's my understanding when it comes to ball joints the only one that ever wears out is the one in the
A-arm that the spring is pushing against. But the shop said "NO, both ball joints always wear out on
Explorers".

Then on to the alignment machine, "We can't align because the left rear leaf spring is weak and we'll
need to replace that also". I reluctantly agreed and they knew I wasn't a happy camper. So then they
get 2 new rear springs and inform me "You always have to replace springs in pairs". We never did
in my father's automotive repair shop.

Then it was all new "U" bolts and shackles because "They're rusty and we couldn't get the nuts off"
Mechanics run into rusty nuts and bolts on a daily basis and should know how to work them
loose or drill them out. I even offered to drill them out for them but they wouldn't allow that.

So this morning it's finally supposed to be finished and I can pick it up. When they called yesterday
he said "I haven't totaled your bill yet but it's around $4,000. They had it over 2 weeks.

So my friends my question is did both ball joints (4 total) and both rear springs need replacing?
I don't think so.

ON EDIT.........

Bill was $3750.31, their markup on all the stuff they bought from rock auto was astronomical. My brother
said depending on the part, his body shop used a 25 to 35% markup. Rock auto doesn't suggest a list price
so these guys go with a 100 to 150% markup, each spring cost me $512.50. And when asking about the
markup I got a raised voice and a dirty look with "the shipping on all that stuff was outrageous !!!!!"
When his voice got one octave lower than shouting, wrote a check and left.

[cloudbase]

1. Try a dedicated Explorer forum.

I've found there to be quite a bit of brand specific knowledge on various auto/motorcycle boards.

[hlthe2b]

2. I second that as these kinds of vehicle-specific forums have saved me multiple times...

Honestly, though, when I read the OP's subject line, I thought he must have been talking about a semi-tractor trailer truck. A $4,000 alignment? Good gawd.

[KS Toronado]

6. Perfect suggestion, THANKS

Look what I found on one of the forums........
shift gears and lay rubber, LOL

[regrestic]

3. For one thing never

go to a repair shop and tell them " whatever it needs" Always tell them to get you a quote and why before repair work & your permission. Ask why the parts are needed and how it affects the alignment and pulling....The ball joints, it may needed them. The 23 year old rear spring, if you want it to sit the same height on both sides then yes both should be replaced. The U bolts and shackles can be just cut off or heated with a torch and removed...Go to an Explorer forum and ask there..

[Cloudhopper]

4. An ex-boyfriend mechanic once told me years ago to always ask them to save

the old parts, that you want them (unless, of course, there's a disposal requirement). Just passing it on.

[3Hotdogs]

5. There are several car repair shops in our town. No complaints about any of them. But two are wonderful.

The car shop, frequently, you don't need that.

The body shop, if it's a simple fix, he brings out the "creeper" or whatever, and pushes it back in. No charge.

[waterwatcher123]

7. Ridiculous charge - you should ask them to substantiate this bill.

I have worked on vehicles my entire life. Rust aside, mechanics can cut off these parts with an air or battery powered grinder in a matter of minutes. So, the replacement of new parts should not be that big of a deal unless they have do some welding. Even welding should not run up the cost to this extent. Go look at Rockauto to see what ball joints cost for this vehicle (about $10.00 for better quality upper and lower ball joints). Leaf springs are maybe $300 per wheel in parts (including new bushings, brackets u-bolts, etc.). The alignment should be about $100.00 or so. Add a reasonable cost for labor and it does not come anywhere near $4000.00

Any reputable repair shop would not put $4000.00 into a 2002 vehicle of any kind without a serious conversation with the owner. This is not a reasonable charge given the vehicle's age.

[KS Toronado]

9. Just left Explorer forum again

Appears that the upper joints can wear out, they don't have a grease fitting, usually around 150,000
to 160,000 miles. They bought the springs from rock auto for $205 each, charging me $820 for both
and $600 labor to install them, that was the estimate, I'll find out in a couple hours what the exact
charge was.

I will be reminding them that $4,000 is more than the vehicle is probably worth. They have a 10%
discount for college students sign, I'll be asking about a senior citizen discount.

[kacekwl]

8. Hard to say if these parts were worn but with 125 thousand miles

it's possible. I have a 2003 Sport Trac with 160 thousand miles and these parts are still ok knock wood. Depends on where you live as to replacing parts because it the salt belt cars become so crusty that most times fasteners and hardware have to be cut off making re-use impossible. The only reason I can think of that 1 spring was sagging is it was broken and yes you should replace in pairs. 4 thousand dollars seems quite excessive as parts you described shouldn't be more than1 thousand dollars at the most. Good luck with your Sport Trac.

[KS Toronado]

10. Mine isn't the Sport Trac.

It's the 2 door SUV, about 10/12 inches shorter that the 4 door model.

[Auggie]

11. I believe dealers make most their income from repair

I don't think they're going to give out deals nor try not to upsell you.

I've been taking my VW, long out of warranty, to independent repair shops.

I was gifted a used Ford Explorer from my father-in-law. Though he had it checked out before handing it down, it subsequently developed a radiator leak within a few months. $1000.00 repair, because according to the, yes, Ford dealership down the street, in order to replace the radiator the engine needed to be lifted.

As I was paying the bill they told me oil pan was leaking and needed a new gasket. $1000 to repair because (yes) the engine needed to be lifted.

I just about blew my own gasket. They couldn't be bothered to have called and asked if I wanted to fix the oil plan while the engine was already up? I never went back to them.