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Came back from alignment with oily LCA and marred tie rod.. what were they doing?

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by Chickenmunga, Jul 12, 2014.

  1. Jul 12, 2014 at 6:18 PM
    #1
    Chickenmunga

    Chickenmunga [OP] Nuggety

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    Admittedly, front end alignments are a mystery to me - I don't know much about what happens in the process. After today, I think I better go watch a video.

    I went to get an alignment, and after returning home, I noticed some oil on my driver's LCA. At first, I thought, "oh God, I didn't tighten the oil filter, or possibly the oil drain plug when I did my oil change last weekend!!" However, the filter area is dry. The plug was a bit greasy, but nothing on ground where I park. I had plenty of oil on the stick.
    I proceeded to pull off the tire, and found this. Notice the oil on the LCA, and how someone decided to get serious on the tie rods with a pipe wrench. The tie rod boot is dry.

    IMG_20140712_174935_zpslj5m8bfp_02f3b58d897c36fae7e0b873244b511626c3f088.jpg

    The oil drained back to the rear of the skid where it meets with the mid skid. I'm not as concerned about the mess, but that seems like a lot of oil/spray for whatever they needed.

    IMG_20140712_175009_zpshtalcieg_79825bc94b85e93947eddcc4dad00437865975d6.jpg

    Passenger tie rod is the same, but everything is dry.

    IMG_20140712_175026_zpshuvmqkvl_59d597aa51f2d0364afba7ca3a5f31cf606e1551.jpg


    I dont' see anything much else in terms of witness marks, either side. I did notice that they sprayed their yellow marking spray on both tie rods as seen above. There's some more yellow spray on the front side of the driver's camber bolt, but it looks old.

    So, what were they doing and do I need to be concerned?
     
  2. Jul 12, 2014 at 8:58 PM
    #2
    Blacktaco2042

    Blacktaco2042 Well-Known Member

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    no they probably sprayed it with pb blaster to help break everything loose.
    i know thats what i do before a alignment
     
  3. Jul 12, 2014 at 9:05 PM
    #3
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    ^This. The LCA cams are known to seize with rust. Truck is 5 years old in a northern state? I'm surprised more butchery wasn't needed to break them loose.
     
  4. Jul 12, 2014 at 9:08 PM
    #4
    Bennett707

    Bennett707 Station707

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    Your good Mike.
     
  5. Jul 13, 2014 at 3:41 PM
    #5
    MagneticTaco79

    MagneticTaco79 COLD ASS HONKY

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    X10 on this
     
  6. Jul 13, 2014 at 3:55 PM
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    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

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    Yep agree with everyone else. Had to do an alignment on a 99 4runner and used a whole can of pb.
     
  7. Jul 13, 2014 at 4:14 PM
    #7
    Chickenmunga

    Chickenmunga [OP] Nuggety

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    I was more interested in the tie rods. Talked to the shop and they said I should maybe start looking at new ones because they were getting difficult to adjust.
     
  8. Jul 13, 2014 at 4:39 PM
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    MagneticTaco79

    MagneticTaco79 COLD ASS HONKY

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    Pipe wrench. A lot of times it's what you have to use. No big deal.
     
  9. Jul 13, 2014 at 7:04 PM
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    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    ^The shop should've gripped the wrench flats right next to it with a crow foot adapter and breaker bar. But what's done is done.
     
  10. Jul 13, 2014 at 10:01 PM
    #10
    1 Bored Clerk

    1 Bored Clerk Well-Known Member

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    ^ this. It's amazing how many 'professionals' don't use the right tool for the job.
     
  11. Jul 19, 2014 at 11:47 AM
    #11
    evile

    evile Well-Known Member

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    Normal. I'm a professional and that's how you adjust a tie rod.
     
  12. Jul 19, 2014 at 7:01 PM
    #12
    BUZZCUT

    BUZZCUT Well-Known Member

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    If that is professional work I'll continue doing my own maintenance. :rolleyes:
     
  13. Jul 20, 2014 at 4:14 AM
    #13
    evile

    evile Well-Known Member

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    It's an adjustable part on the underside of the truck subject to all sorts of conditions. They can be extremely hard to turn.

    When I do alignments one of my main tools is a 3 foot pipe just to break loose the nut if needed. Then I use slip joint pliers to adjust. I do it the same way on my truck.

    I've had to use a torch to brake loose tie rods before as well that doesn't leave things looking pretty either but if that's what it takes to get the job done

    The yellow marks are index points the tech used as reference probably to see how far he adjusted things others use it to prove to overly anal customers that yes we did do what we said we did.
     
  14. Jul 30, 2014 at 5:19 PM
    #14
    lwszabo

    lwszabo Well-Known Member

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    The problem with "professionals" today is they are not like professionals of yesterday. MOST have no pride I their work, or attention to detail. Even a simple oil change can turn into a mess for the owner. "Professionals" today are concerned with getting your vehicle in and out as fast as possible to get the next one in. Whatever tool they have close will work because it's to hard to walk over to their tool box. I took by Ram in for the free 1st oil change. When I walked out I noticed a puddle of oil under it. I walked back in to have someone look at it. Upon further investigation I had oily handprints all over my bumper and door, oily foot prints on my floor mats, oily spot on my drivers seat and my setting wheel cover also. The manager calls the tech back out and he said " it's just a truck!" The manager sent him I. The building immediately and offered to detail my truck. I explained that I would do it myself, that I would rather not have anyone else in the vehicle. I am sure there are some professionals left , I just haven't found one around me!
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2014

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