Alignment, How much do you guys usually pay? Options

[SwissFerdi]

I don't have the tools or skills to do this, so I called up a local shop that I always go to for anything concerning my cars, they're great people. I just got quoted 99.95 for an aligment though, when I don't even know if I really, truly need it. My car pulls slightly to the right, and my wheel is cocked a few degrees left to maintain straightness. I really only care about excess tire wear that this could cause, the fact that my wheel is crooked isn't really important.

The shop said it was this expensive because all four wheels have to be aligned.

[Promasta]

Ya I just got mine done and hit a pothole hard a week later, and now the steering wheel is a bit off. Not sure if I want to get it done because I'll probably hit another pothole lol. I would wait until you lower it, then get an alignment. Also, I think 100 is a bit much, there is a good shop here that will do all four wheels for 60.

[SwissFerdi]

Well, lowering's gonna be a while. I just want to make sure my tires won't wear unevenly, really.

[808celica]

Free if my car was stock but now since in almost all the way down i pay $100. You should be paying cheaper though cuz it's not "special" alignment (that's what's listed on my recipt for my drop)

[samir0189]

I actually paid 100+ at goodyear, got quoted that and more at other places cause i had "oversize" wheels, (17" mind you, stock on many new model cars...)

I went to toyota, 79.95, all four wheels, no oversize wheel BS.

[SwissFerdi]

Good idea, I haven't thought to call them.

[samir0189]

and btw, goodyear didnt even do it right, it was mega off when i got it redone at toyota, goodyear gave me a "warranty" that was pretty much useless. Needless to say i dont go there anymore... lol.

[SwissFerdi]

I'll call Toyo tomorrow, the cheapest quote I've gotten is 79.99 at Tire Kingdom...and if Toyo is the same price, I'd rather get it done there.

[samir0189]

wherever you get it done, make sure you get them to show you a print out, it shows the before numbers vs the after numbers, so you know they did something and did not rip you off.

[SwissFerdi]

Will do. Thanks man.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Sep 14, 2009 - 10:12 PM

[azian_advanced]

Well, lowering's gonna be a while. I just want to make sure my tires won't wear unevenly, really.

then you'll need some front camber plates and rear camber bolts to go with your lowered suspension. i definitely recommend it for anyone who are riding on expensive tires and/or very low suspension.


i got my alignment done here for $70 CDN ($64.50 USD) and came with the before and after alignment specs. normally i do it myself at home (using the string method my uncle taught me) but my tie rod bolts were really seized so i got it done professionally instead. they said it would take less than an hour but it took them 2 hours.

[SwissFerdi]

then you'll need some front camber plates and rear camber bolts to go with your lowered suspension. i definitely recommend it for anyone who are riding on expensive tires and/or very low suspension.

Do you mean that I'd need those plates if I lower after the alignment, or what? I wouldn't go very low, maybe a 1.5" drop.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Sep 14, 2009 - 11:04 PM

[Jamchell]

I'll add that if you find a shop that does laser alignment the machine is more likely to be calibrated properly. The older Hunter style machines are great, but if they aren't calibrated often they can give false readings and this causes your car to be out of alignment even when the numbers look good.

Also, the laser heads are easier to install correctly on the wheels, which is key if your alignment guy isn't the sharpest tool in the shed.

[conus00]

$75 + tax at NTB.

[808celica]

then you'll need some front camber plates and rear camber bolts to go with your lowered suspension. i definitely recommend it for anyone who are riding on expensive tires and/or very low suspension.

Do you mean that I'd need those plates if I lower after the alignment, or what? I wouldn't go very low, maybe a 1.5" drop.

1.5 drop should put your fronts to almost -2` camber before alignment. when i got my print out it showed -0.75 in front and less that -0.5 in the back with camber bolts. I did ask them to put it at that degree. I went home and marked a white line so i know where "good" alignment is when i take off or move any of those parts. that mark is only good for the Tein drop

[2bcelica]

I got mine from Firestone for $120 lifetime alignment. -- I have used it 3 times now and never had to pay anything besides the $120. The Firestone i go to is really nice and knows their stuff (i only go there for alignment ).

[shegarhuney]

well.. my place here has this money in the mail thingy.. there's this chain.. MIDAS.. i dont know whether you guys heard of them before but normally alignment would be $99.99 before tax.. but if you have the coupon.. its only like $49.99 before tax.. i've done my alignment twice know and i think i need to do the 3rd time coz of my strut mount.. have to remove my whole strut so its easier to replace the strut mount.. the 1st time was when i installed my tein sprins & new kyb struts.. 2nd time was when i installed new bump stops..

so yup.. $100's about right but i dont like paying retail.. who does actually..

[Joe_1985]

+ 1 on the firestone lifetime alighnment i have it on my 85 celica gts

ill get it for my stx when i get around to doing my suspension

[SwissFerdi]

I went to the expensive (but very trustworthy) shop anyway, paid 80. The toe on the right front and the rears was off apparently. Bad news is that all four of my tires are warped and the rears are pretty much down to the wear bars. The fronts (Potenza RE92) still have around 6/10"s left. So I guess I might have to replace the rears whenever they're dead, but I'll see how they're doing at the next oil change.