[Boltman760]

So I have been gone for a while. Previously had a 2012 3.5. Upgraded to the 2.7 and now I gotta start my build all over again. (darn). Here is the question. Puting some Bilstein 5100's on to level. Got a good deal for parts and labor. But they are telling me I have to replace the cams. Does this sound right. Asking close to 300 for alignment and cam replacement. What do u guys think. It's a 2019 fx4 package.

 

[GearHead_1]

Lower control arm cams simply make it easier to perform an alignment. Are they mandatory? No! That said, some alignment guys won’t take the time or spend the effort to align one without these added. On most vehicles, when I performed an alignment I personally preferred not to have them. A strategically placed pry bar worked better for me but was not the case on all vehicles. It is a quick up-sell for the front end guys. You can turn a $60 alignment into $200 cams and alignment job and takes literally minutes to replace assuming the bolts aren’t frozen. Alignment shops, just like any other shop likes quick money and yes you do get something for the money. These Techs are taught to sell these kits.

 

[Boltman760]

I appreciate the response. I went to Ford and they basically said the same thing. This shop is doing the labor on a "Black Friday discount". I kinda figured the alignment was an upsell.

 

[Boltman760]

To be clear I know I need alignment. I mean the cams are the upsell.

 

[GearHead_1]

Likely need the alignment after the Bilstein’s. I suspect most do The control arm cams are the upsell to support the alignment. Now if someone had a feather stuck someplace special and just wanted to install the cams (I can’t imagine why) then they would likely mess up the alignment during the cam install and need it realigned.

Ford did not include cams from the factory and the trucks are still aligned. It’s the aftermarket that wants to make things easier on itself during an alignment and harder on your pocketbook. The control arm bolts slide in the slots whether the cams are there or not. If someone tells you that the cams are a must to do an alignment they are telling you a fib.

I am unclear on what it is that Ford told you when you visited them.

 

[Boltman760]

All Ford said was after installing the billsteins the only thing necessary was a typical alignment.
And they offered to install them for... $600

 

[GearHead_1]

$600 labor, are you serious? This is a 2 hour job on a lift plus the alignment. I’m amazed. Did I misunderstand and that includes the Bilstein's? Given my share of artificial joints, I’m none too mobile. That said, I can knock these out in 3 hours in my driveway, on jack stands and using a vice to hold the coil over. I can’t hardly believe that price.

 

[Boltman760]

Haha. Ya.
No parts just labor. I thanked them for the info and left.

 

[GearHead_1]

I’d be very curious to know what this job books out for. I’m a little out of touch but was thinking that labor rates are about $120/hr.

 

[Boltman760]

I got a few other quotes from local shops for right around three hundred.

 

[Noblest]

So I have been gone for a while. Previously had a 2012 3.5. Upgraded to the 2.7 and now I gotta start my build all over again. (darn). Here is the question. Puting some Bilstein 5100's on to level. Got a good deal for parts and labor. But they are telling me I have to replace the cams. Does this sound right. Asking close to 300 for alignment and cam replacement. What do u guys think. It's a 2019 fx4 package.

Sorry, you had me stuck at 2.7 upgrade.... Didn't compute and still doesn't?
Good luck with the suspension upgrade!

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

 

[DBCooper]

When I had mine done(at a local Goodyear shop) I paid $400 for the fronts to be installed and an alignment. Total job for both took about 4 hours. I didn't think it was too bad of a deal. I did the rears myself.

 

[GearHead_1]

I got a few other quotes from local shops for right around three hundred.

That sounds reasonable to this old man.

 

[Boltman760]

Sorry, you had me stuck at 2.7 upgrade.... Didn't compute and still doesn't?
Good luck with the suspension upgrade!

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

Haha. Waiting for someone to catch that.

 

[Boltman760]

When I had mine done(at a local Goodyear shop) I paid $400 for the fronts to be installed and an alignment. Total job for both took about 4 hours. I didn't think it was too bad of a deal. I did the rears myself.

Ya. The three hundred is without alignment.

 

[Sirikenewtron]

Had them installed on my old 2013, parts, labor and alignment was $500 otd at what's usually known as a more expensive shop, 4 wheel parts

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[Boltman760]

Had them installed on my old 2013, parts, labor and alignment was $500 otd at what's usually known as a more expensive shop, 4 wheel parts

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Ha! That's the shop that told me I needed the cams replaced! That's a great deal. I should tell them you sent me. Maybe try and get the same OTD price. Haha

 

[Boltman760]

Oops .never mind. It was off road warehouse. Gonna call 4 wheel parts tomorrow.