Dealer equipment upgrade... [Archive] - MercuryMarauder.net Forums

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deerejoe

03-11-2004, 09:41 AM

My local L/M dealer has been reluctant to date to check front end alignment on the MM he sold me due to the type and limitations of his in-place equipment.
So, he has ordered and will be installing (shortly) ALL NEW, high tech equipment to align AND balance wheels/tires.
A recent visit to the dealership to check on equipment status has the projected install completed before end of March 2004.

The dealer wants to have my MM for the 'first' vehicle on the new equipment.
A Ford Motor Company representative will also be on hand to observe the performance of the new equipment and the methods used to avoid custom wheel damage inherent with out dated aligning machines.

Up to now, only the BMW/Mercedes-Benz dealer had this type of equipment in my area.
Dealers who really care about customer service and are in business for the long term will demonstrate their dedication through investment in high tech equipment and the personnel trained in the use of it.

I applaud his integrity and dedication to sound business ethics!!

Dave Compson

03-11-2004, 10:57 AM

I wish the dealer network in the southern nevada area would get updated equipment.

Thomas C Potter

03-12-2004, 10:52 AM

I hope it is Hunter Road Force balancing equip. Only way to go.

deerejoe

03-12-2004, 03:22 PM

Dealer called me today. Equipment is ready to operate.
Made an appointment for Tuesday, AM.
Will relate all after the session, including brands and models of all new equipment.

I have been frugal in the use of the MM purposely to avoid wear on the front tires. A previous thread related my concern with the "visible" appearance of mis-alignment.

Armed with two (different) sets of "front end specs" from this website; it will be interesting to see what numbers the dealer will use for the alignment.
With a FOMOCO representative (planned) looking on, I anticipate satisfactory results.

This will be the third time on a lift for this MM.
There are no secrets to be revealed(??). However, I will examine the "issues" areas to see if any new development(s) have surfaced.

With the front end concerns relieved, I can plan for ANY road trip distance.
Florida and Michigan come to mind!! Hmmmm.

CRUZTAKER

03-12-2004, 03:59 PM

I hope it is Hunter Road Force balancing equip.
With the balancer alone costing in the range of $50,000 or more...I doubt it. I don't believe there is an actual dealer in the state of Ohio that utilizes a road force balancer...aside from the porsche / ferrari dealer up the road. Most domestic cars don't need this type of balace as they are not utilizing high performance tires and take thier cars ocer 60 mph.

I am thankfull that my performance shop has one, and besides, unless it's a warranty issue, why let the goons at the dealership do it anyway? Not me, that's for sure!

Donny Carlson

03-12-2004, 06:16 PM

With the balancer alone costing in the range of $50,000 or more...I doubt it. I don't believe there is an actual dealer in the state of Ohio that utilizes a road force balancer...aside from the porsche / ferrari dealer up the road. Most domestic cars don't need this type of balace as they are not utilizing high performance tires and take thier cars ocer 60 mph. I am thankfull that my performance shop has one, and besides, unless it's a warranty issue, why let the goons at the dealership do it anyway? Not me, that's for sure!
Au Contrere monsieur Barry!

Dealers with Hunter GSP 9700 Road Force Balancers, from Zip Code 44102
(Main Post Office, Cleveland, Ohio)

Straight Track LFM is "straight track lateral force management"

CENTRAL CADILLAC & HUMMER
2801 CARNEGIE AVE
CLEVELAND, OH 44115
Phone: 216-861-5800
Approx. 4 miles from your location



MARCH HODGE LAMARCH VOLVO
9600 BROOKPARK RD
CLEVELAND, OH 44129
Phone: 216-351-9999
Approx. 6 miles from your location.



SUNNYSIDE AUDI-PORSCHE (STRAIGHT TRACK LFM SHOP)
7660 PEARL ROAD
CLEVELAND, OH 44130
Phone: 440-243-5588
Approx. 7 miles from your location



RELIABLE OLDSMOBILE-ISUZU INC
6200 BRECKSVILLE RD
INDEPENDENCE, OH 44131
Phone: 216-447-0987
Approx. 8 miles from your location.



LIBERTY FORD INC. - (STRAIGHT TRACK LFM SHOP)
5500 WARRENSVILLE CENTER RD
MAPLE HEIGHTS, OH 44137
Phone: 440-439-8350
Approx. 10 miles from your location



WILLIAMS FORD
739 FRONT ST
BEREA, OH 44017
Phone: 440-234-2770
Approx. 10 miles from your location.



NORTH OLMSTED NISSAN
28500 LORAIN RD
NORTH OLMSTED, OH 44070
Phone: 440-734-6900
Approx. 10 miles from your location.



MERRICK CHEVROLET-GEO (Straight Track LFM shop)
15303 ROYALTON RD
STRONGSVILLE, OH 44136
Phone: 440-243-6700
Approx. 12 miles from your location.



CRESTMONT CADILLAC CORP.
26000 CHAGRIN BLVD
BEACHWOOD, OH 44122
Phone: 216-831-5300
Approx. 12 miles from your location



TOYOTA OF BEDFORD
18151 ROCKSIDE
BEDFORD, OH 44146
Phone: 440-439-8600
Approx. 13 miles from your location.



JAY PONTIAC / BUICK INC. (Straight Track LFM Shop)
18800 ROCKSIDE RD
BEDFORD, OH 44146
Phone: 440-232-5000
Approx. 13 miles from your location. 


ED PIKE LINCOLN MERCURY HYUNDA
9647 MENTOR AVE
MENTOR, OH 44060
Phone: 440-357-7533
Approx. 25 miles from your location.

RON MARHOFER LINC-MERC
1350 MAIN ST
CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH 44221
Phone: 330-923-3888
Approx. 27 miles from your location.

The list is pretty extensive, including the local community college, Goodyear stores, several more car dealers. Hunter must have a liberal financing or leasing plan, because they seem widely available.

vegasmarauder

03-12-2004, 11:12 PM

When its on the rack and before they do anything to it, see if they will check what the existing torque is on the 4 lower control arm bolts (the caster and camber adjustments). Have them use a torque wrench, as going by "feel" won't be accurate enough. (See my other post on control arm bolt torque). I found three so far with not enough torque on the bolts. This may be why we are having the alignment problems in the first place, the bolts are coming loose. If this is a problem on a significant number of MM's and it is a suspension component related to safety, Ford will have to recall them and tighten the bolts (and check alignement) on all of them.

If they can check this let us know what they found.
Thanks..

deerejoe

03-13-2004, 09:20 AM

vegasmarauder:
Thanx for the info and good advice.

My experience with dealer servicing has been akin to doctors' waiting rooms...lengthy, boring and expensive.
Hopefully, I can put this visit to good use with lasting results.
As for costs...whatever, if it prevents premature tire wear and provides "peace of mind" overall, it will be money and time well invested.

hitchhiker

03-16-2004, 01:46 PM

Question:

Are there dealers in my area, Sacramento, CA, who have this equipment?
Thanks,

David

deerejoe

03-16-2004, 07:16 PM

Visit to my local L/M dealer went as scheduled this AM.
All NEW "Hunter" branded equipment...nothing touches the fancy wheels...all computerized, thank you very much!!

Lots to-do about nothing really.
Same lift set up...just a new computer and remote sensors at each wheel.
No scars from these baby's!!

Diagnosis: mis-alignment overall (both front wheels) was substantial enough to HAVE caused premature tire wear.

Torque of fasteners was satisfactory.
No wiring harness 'rub concerns'.

Did NOT feel the need for wheel balancing...so the NEW (Hunter) balancer was not utilized.

FOMOCO rep. did not materialize as previously planned.

Total cost including oil/filter change= $61.00

Note to the above:
Skeptics (me included) can only assume ALL the items of concern were diligently addressed. Most dealer service areas are "off limits" to 'spectators', which makes observation up close and personal difficult. However, I could see the mechanic(s) going through the motions from my point of view.

Additionally, since it was MY idea to "check" the front end alignment AND there wasn't any perceptible (uneven) wear, I elected to pay a minimal cost for the front end service and general inspection.
With 5300 total miles on the car and NO PERCEPTIBLE wear on the tires it is not relevant to the warranty to defray the costs regardless the degree of mis-alignment found to date.

Sixty one bucks is a feel good bargain!!