wheel/tire alignment?

[sndmn11]

Busted a tire sidewall today And FINALLY got to use a Discount Tire replacement certificate. All four have more wear on the inside edge than the outside.

Any advice on if a certain type of aligmentment is better than another? Brakes Plus? Regular mechanic? I think Big O does like $90 for a three year alignment program.

So, are they all the same, or is there a certain something to look for?

 

[lak2004]

Find someone who will take some time to get it right. Good luck, I get pissed at every person I've had do alignments for the last decade or so.

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[browning2480]

They all use the same type of computer alignment machine that makes it easy and anyone can do it. As long as you don’t have anything crazy going on. The machine tells them what needs done.

 

[cnelk]

I took my truck to Big O a few years ago for an alignment.

They told me I need all sorts of new stuff in my front end.

I said “Hmmmm”

I then took it to private shop a couple blocks away and had them look at it without telling them anything about Big O.

They said “Sure thing, nothing needed other than an alignment”

Needless to say, they get all my business now.

 

[lak2004]

I had something similar happen a long time ago after I literally had just replaced all the front end parts and was the reason for the alignment. I had some choice words for that place.

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[Centralcoastca]

Yeah, go to a real shop. The chain shops typically hire new techs with zero experience and pay very little so by the time they know anything they move on. you might get lucky but why bother probably wasting your time and $100. Find out where the sports car and off-road guys take their stuff or where a good body shop or mechanic sends their alignment work if they don’t do it themselves and you’ll usually find someone who really knows their way around suspension. The alignment equipment is pretty much all the same but knowing how to use it and how to make the right adjustments makes a difference.

 

[sndmn11]

K, mechanic referred, check.

$100 is about the norm?

 

[cnelk]

$130 around here now

 

[browning2480]

I took my truck to Big O a few years ago for an alignment.

They told me I need all sorts of new stuff in my front end.

I said “Hmmmm”

I then took it to private shop a couple blocks away and had them look at it without telling them anything about Big O.

They said “Sure thing, nothing needed other than an alignment”

Needless to say, they get all my business now.

This is a big problem with Big O

 

[Centralcoastca]

K, mechanic referred, check.

$100 is about the norm?

Probably a little different depending on the location but last time I had the front done on my tacoma after I installed a lift it was $75. Four wheel alignment would obviously be more.

 

[PAhntr91]

i would say quality can differ at different shops. newer alignment machines are way nicer. i honestly think it does a better job. depends on the tech who does it too. i mean theres putting it in spec and going the extra effort to get it right.

 

[sndmn11]

i would say quality can differ at different shops. newer alignment machines are way nicer. i honestly think it does a better job. depends on the tech who does it too. i mean theres putting it in spec and going the extra effort to get it right.

Is there a type of machine that is "newer"...
"Hey mechanic shop, does your alignment machine go to xyz spec?"

 

[lak2004]

What I do now is make a point of being friendly but firm that I will be back if the steering wheel isn't center, and it's not up to my standard. I used to be a mechanic and it's really not hard to do it right, might take extra time and legitimately might take extra parts. That's fine if they communicate that and need to reschedule or whatever, just don't try and tell me I need parts when the ones you are saying I need are hours old......

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[inyago]

A good outfit will show you what's wrong.. They will get you under the vehicle and show you the f--d parts
tie rods, ball joints,struts , shocks ect and you can see with your own eyes..

 

[sndmn11]

A good outfit will show you what's wrong.. They will get you under the vehicle and show you the f--d parts
tie rods, ball joints,struts , shocks ect and you can see with your own eyes..

That's what ended up happening. $50 inspection fee by the alignment shop for them to put it in the air and show me my upper ball joints on both sides and one inner tie rod end were floppier than a dad bod.

Apparently I have a family member who can change those and do that sides outer tie rod end as well.

Now, would you guys go back to the same aligent experts for $125 or go to brakes Plus/big o for half the price since the parts are vetted and replaced and fr.above, they all use the same machine?

 

[lak2004]

That's what ended up happening. $50 inspection fee by the alignment shop for them to put it in the air and show me my upper ball joints on both sides and one inner tie rod end were floppier than a dad bod.

Apparently I have a family member who can change those and do that sides outer tie rod end as well.

Now, would you guys go back to the same aligent experts for $125 or go to brakes Plus/big o for half the price since the parts are vetted and replaced and fr.above, they all use the same machine?

Go back to that guy. If he was willing to show you what's up sounds like he is not a crook and probably stands by his work.

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[MattB]

i would say quality can differ at different shops. newer alignment machines are way nicer. i honestly think it does a better job. depends on the tech who does it too. i mean theres putting it in spec and going the extra effort to get it right.

I think there is something to that. We have a local tire store chain in our area with one within walking distance from our house . A friend uses another that is about 5 miles away. The alignment tech at the one our friend uses recently said for him not to use the store near our house for alignment because the techs there do not know what they are doing. Same company, same machines, just different techs.

 

[Burnsie]

What/who the heck is Big O?

 

[CorbLand]

I think there is something to that. We have a local tire store chain in our area with one within walking distance from our house . A friend uses another that is about 5 miles away. The alignment tech at the one our friend uses recently said for him not to use the store near our house for alignment because the techs there do not know what they are doing. Same company, same machines, just different techs.

This is very true. A lot of it comes down to who runs it and the quality of employee they employ.

Theres two tire stores that are a big chain in town here. One on the north end of town sucked, the guy that ran it was an ass. The south store was ran by a guy that really cared about employees and customers. Both owners moved onto other, bigger stores and it has flipped. The north store is now the better one and the south store not so much.

 

[displacedtexan]

Now, would you guys go back to the same aligent experts for $125 or go to brakes Plus/big o for half the price since the parts are vetted and replaced and fr.above, they all use the same machine?

Remember, a machine is only as good as the operator.

A tack driving rifle can miss a barn in the hands of someone who's not experienced.

I'd definitely pay for someone who cares to operate it.