Horrible experience getting car aligned

[Bradman123]

first shop i went to i couldnt even get into the shop cuz my car was too low. so they sent me to another guy. the guy they sent me to was a total goober lookin guy. i scheduled an apointment. but then called another place. they said they should be able to do it today. instead of tomorrow. so i went there. find out they use a "sun beam" or something alignment tool. doesnt use a computer just a beam of light.they had to put it on backwards and shoot the beam under the middle of the car in order for it to get a reading. they managed to do it. i have silkroad coilovers, tein tie rods, kazama outer rod ends. anybody else have such a horrible time getting their car aligned or is it just retards out here that only know how to work on 4x4 pickups. not only that it cost me 37 bucks just for a front end alignment. my camber plates seem to be close to maxed out and according to them its only 1 degree camber....i was asking for 1 1/2 but they couldnt get it. so i settled for 1 degree. what the hell is going on. i have the feeling i got ripped.

[SochBAT]

I've noticed in my area that most "professional" car alignment shops don't even touch modified cars (modified as in aftermarket suspension). my buddy at Big'O Tires says its a little harder getting those aligned correctly without really tampering with the coilovers or whatever you've got.

[HyperTek]

not as bad as the brat kid they have to test drive your car after the alignment lol

[Dousan_PG]

maybe go to good shops
here in so cali
i go to some old dood in orange, NEVER complains does it with no worries
or go to HIROS auto lowered cars? shit no worries
alex p no worries he does it right


you need to look in your phone book and call EVERY shop
you want the guys who do the alignments no the flat surface, minimal tools
or shops that have the right equipment
mom and pop shops rule. they are old school and often some of the best, because they KNOW alignments before lasers and shit. they can do it with handtools no matter who low/high a car is.

dont go to the first shop you find and DONT go to a shop JUST because it cost cheap
for a good alignment sometimes you have to pay good money!

[trackstar]

Try getting a real race alignment...$200-400 easy, at least 3 hours of hard work and adjustments. Makes $37 for front end seem like a joke. Firestone and other tire places have no idea what they're doing with adjustable suspension components.

[SirWarrior]

WTF? $37
what kind of cracker jack alignment did you get???
$120+ is a real alignment (all 4 wheels) I know as I am getting it done next week, after my LCA's come in. :)

[Bradman123]

lol 120. i payed like 55 bucks for all 4 wheels before i had any of my mods when i first bought the car but now thats the shop i cant even get into the garage. i dont think a full race alignment is necessary until i have every suspension component bought and on the car. and i dont think driving to cali is that practical haha. i think the alignment is fine. its tracking straight an no shimmies. and i found out how i can get more camber if i want it next time. but its deffinately nice to know its not just me. next time i will be shopping around more.

[Bradman123]

oh and as for the brat kid that test drove it. i went with him. no way i was gonna let that guy rod my car. he went about a block and after i got after him for taking the bumps like a 4X4 he pulled over and i made the final judgment.

[nissan_driver24]

alot of shops don't mess with cars that have been modified because it's not stock anymore... unless they know how to align a car with a modified suspension.... if i was the mechanic i wouldn't touch modified cars.... u don't really wut the person that worked on the car before did to the car, cause they could have fucked up everything..... also wut condition are ur tire in? u should do the alignment on new tires...