It Begins: Miss Blue

u do know that there are a few compentent mechanics that work at dealerships right? maybe not all, but some actually do have them. shocking i know

 

Yeah, but the markup man...the markup.

 

I get parts and labor at cost

 

phewww breaker bar and 1/2" drive extension and those nuts finally came off.

 

That makes it more bearable. Still not great, but I can tolerate it.

 

Even good shops have scrubs from time to time. I interviewed my Firestone by asking questions and telling them up front what I had and what I wanted. It helps if you drive the truck there so you can show them what they need to do. First one was a success so now I schedule my appointments so I have the same guy do the alignments each and every time. All it takes is a little planning, scheduling, and luck on the first try.

Same place butchered my last tire job I gave them though. Ended up walking out after an argument with the dip shit I spoke to because they used rim weights when I explicitly told them not to. They also never shifted the wheel and tire so some of them had massive amounts of weight on them. I now have a new tire place because of that scrub, but I will gladly take my truck there for another alignment. I actually need one now

 

I had the best shop in the goddamn world in my last town. It was two mechanics and 3 techs, and the guy who owned the place was like 30+ years of experience. Had done everything from gear setups in funny cars to full on custom coil-link suspensions for rock buggies and every street vehicle you can imagine in between. Transmission rebuilds, fabrication, exhaust, engine rebuilds, regular maintenance, tire work...everything you could want under one roof and super competent.

I miss the place like no other.

 

How far away did you move?

 

2hrs.

I actually was down there last October to see some friends. While I was in town I dropped by and had them do an exhaust job for me

Edit:

This is them:

http://budeez.procarcarezone.com/topshop/web/web_template/temp2/default.asp?id=151670

 

I wheel with the guys so I trust them to do it

 

You lived in Salisbury?

 

I did. Really liked it there. May go back one day.

 

Love that area. Almost went to school in Davidson

 

Salisbury is a nice town. That muffler shop good or bad? Can't tell by the smiley.

 

So your spindle is good? You just knocked the LCA out of alignment?

Is there a reason you don't gusset your spindles?

 

If it's bent, it's not bent enough that it can't be compensated for with alignment. FWIW they look symmetrical.

Honestly, I haven't bothered with spindle gussets because I've had no reason to tear the front end apart. If I ever bend one enough to cause a problem and need to get them replaced (I have a spare set), I'll gusset the spares before they go on.

Honestly, I think my superbump bumpstops will save a lot of headache in that department though. They really cushion the blow when you bottom the suspension.

 

Heard that. I guess you should be fine since you don't desert-romp through URE and what not.

 

Yeah. If I was out west and hucking it I'd have gusseted them long ago. It's required equipment, kind of like sliders are here.

 

I'll deal with it when it happens. 3 years and no problems yet.

I've had friends do it, but they've had to really thump the truck to do so. I've had a couple "unexpected stops" when something jumps in front of the tire, but it's only ever caused alignment changes.

I think I'm gonna continue to run the torque on my alignment cam bolts loose-ish to use them as a fuse

 

This was my thinking as well.