Upper Control Arm Alignment Punch Out

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Stepside_fever95

I'm Awesome
Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
1,212
Reaction score
868
Location
NC
I recently installed 2" blocks and cranked my t-bars to level on my '99 K1500 Suburban. I called the alignment shop about having it aligned and he said theres holes on each side that have to be punched out to allow more camber adjustment since i raised the front end.
He quoted me at $130-150 to do that and align it. Has anyone else had this issue?
 

Jrgunn5150

Enjoying tomorrow's success today
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
5,847
Reaction score
1,283
Location
Ionia Michigan
It's pretty common even on uncranked trucks to have to knock it out. The price seems steep, but, he's not blowing smoke lol.
 

MIHELA

1-5-6-3-4-2-7-8
Joined
Dec 9, 2009
Messages
1,367
Reaction score
1,596
Location
Sioux Falls, SD
Price isn't that bad. The upper control arms actually have to be pulled out of the frame instead of just turning bolts, and it needs a different bolt kit installed.
 

whiplash473

Tyler
Joined
Jan 10, 2012
Messages
802
Reaction score
184
Location
Northern IL
That's what I pay for every alignment, but the place I take it to is the best around. So if the shop is worthy, the price is fine.

Did he see the truck and tell you that or is he just letting you know? If you still have the knock-outs that would stand at least the possibility that your truck has never had an alignment??? I know you said you just cranked it but it's common to punch those out even on stock trucks. There's also the possibility that your other alignments have been toe-and-go, too.

If you just did blocks it would be a good idea (not that it's needed, just a good idea) to have him check the rear too.
 

Jrgunn5150

Enjoying tomorrow's success today
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
5,847
Reaction score
1,283
Location
Ionia Michigan
I pay 40 bucks for alignments lol. Neither here nor there I guess, but that's where I'm coming from on price.
 

Stepside_fever95

I'm Awesome
Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
1,212
Reaction score
868
Location
NC
That's what I pay for every alignment, but the place I take it to is the best around. So if the shop is worthy, the price is fine.

Did he see the truck and tell you that or is he just letting you know? If you still have the knock-outs that would stand at least the possibility that your truck has never had an alignment??? I know you said you just cranked it but it's common to punch those out even on stock trucks. There's also the possibility that your other alignments have been toe-and-go, too.

If you just did blocks it would be a good idea (not that it's needed, just a good idea) to have him check the rear too.
He didnt see the truck but his nephew has a 97 K1500 with the 2-3" rcx kit so he knows how itll be.
Im crossing my fingers that theyve been punched out already but its been many years since having an alignment done, and i know they didnt do it.
We always go to him for buying tires and having them mounted since they have some of the better prices and offer free rotations for the life of the tires.
 

Stepside_fever95

I'm Awesome
Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
1,212
Reaction score
868
Location
NC
Oh, and ill have him check the rear too and chech the torque on the ubolts now theyve set in some.
 

Black_cirrus

I'm Awesome
Joined
Mar 15, 2015
Messages
256
Reaction score
85
I looked it up on alldata not to long ago and it shows over 2 hours to do the knock outs then add alignment time, On my Suburban the outer slots were open but not the inners so it had some adjustment but not enough to get it in spec its just under spec on caster, but I had to let it go, now with my new tires I think its pulling a touch... FYI I found the tool on Amazon for under $20. I was under the impression that an air chisel would remove them and that wasn't worth repeating I forgot the first side but did the second side.
 

Stepside_fever95

I'm Awesome
Joined
Dec 16, 2013
Messages
1,212
Reaction score
868
Location
NC
Knocking them out is something i would do myself, but with working a lot this summer out in the heat and trying to get things ready to start college back up, i just dont have the time or patience to do it myself.
 

whiplash473

Tyler
Joined
Jan 10, 2012
Messages
802
Reaction score
184
Location
Northern IL
He didnt see the truck but his nephew has a 97 K1500 with the 2-3" rcx kit so he knows how itll be.
Im crossing my fingers that theyve been punched out already but its been many years since having an alignment done, and i know they didnt do it.
We always go to him for buying tires and having them mounted since they have some of the better prices and offer free rotations for the life of the tires.

Oh, and ill have him check the rear too and chech the torque on the ubolts now theyve set in some.

You must be registered for see images
 
Top