Best place to go for an alignment?

[InFiD3ViL]

I already have coilovers but just changed out all my strut mounts as I had a bad driver side front mount. Also lowered the car a little bit more. Now my alignment is all jacked up, as expected.

I don't remember where I took it when I did my coilovers originally, as it was a while ago. I absolutely hate taking my car to someone as I always do my own work, but since I haven't won my millions yet I do not have an alignment rack of my own.

Who do you guys use? A local mom and pop shop? Chassis and body shop? Dealer? I know the dealer would cost a little more, but I am fine with that as long as it is done right. What I do NOT want to do is go to Firestone or Goodyear where they are going to try to upsell the hell out of me on unneeded repairs. Also, I do not leave my car anywhere alone. I stay even if it takes four hours, especially since the cam install. People are just too stupid to be trusted.

I know you guys may have different chains than where I live but who do you trust to do your alignment work?

[redcoats1976]

ive had my alignment done at the firestone down the street for over 30 years.since i keep my cars long term i pay for lifetime alignment and sit there and wait so i can keep an eye on my car.never had any issues with them,although they do like to find issues to try to get you to fix.my family still calls or drops by to ask if the "recommended" repairs are really needed even though the kids have grown and moved out.i get 7 a.m. appointments so im normally first on the rack.

[CamaroBarb]

I've never had any luck no matter who I tried for alignments. I always end up doing it myself or find a shop that will allow me to look over them as they do it. Fortunately I found a Chevy dealer that will allow me into the shop and watch them as they set it up to what I want. My car handles like a cat and the tires wear perfect but it cost me 200 bucks BUT it was worth every penny. Even after the dealer is done I check the toe at home with a tape measure. You would be surprised how off the toe can be on a machine compared to sitting on the pavement.

If you have a level garage floor with a few special tools you can get the alignment dam close. A good level and good tape measure along with careful measuring will get you there.

[Bigdumogre]

Originally Posted by CamaroBarb

I've never had any luck no matter who I tried for alignments. I always end up doing it myself or find a shop that will allow me to look over them as they do it. Fortunately I found a Chevy dealer that will allow me into the shop and watch them as they set it up to what I want. My car handles like a cat and the tires wear perfect but it cost me 200 bucks BUT it was worth every penny. Even after the dealer is done I check the toe at home with a tape measure. You would be surprised how off the toe can be on a machine compared to sitting on the pavement.

If you have a level garage floor with a few special tools you can get the alignment dam close. A good level and good tape measure along with careful measuring will get you there.

I used to work for a ford dealership and the machine there sucked so I used to set the toe by eye or with a string. Was way more accurate than the machine

[Vegas Bound]

Originally Posted by redcoats1976

ive had my alignment done at the firestone down the street for over 30 years.since i keep my cars long term i pay for lifetime alignment and sit there and wait so i can keep an eye on my car.never had any issues with them,although they do like to find issues to try to get you to fix.my family still calls or drops by to ask if the "recommended" repairs are really needed even though the kids have grown and moved out.i get 7 a.m. appointments so im normally first on the rack.

I took my car to firestone once. Everybody in the shop had to take it for a test drive and they ran the front right corner of the bumper into something. I sued that crap out of them.

[SSammy]

Originally Posted by CamaroBarb

I've never had any luck no matter who I tried for alignments. I always end up doing it myself or find a shop that will allow me to look over them as they do it. Fortunately I found a Chevy dealer that will allow me into the shop and watch them as they set it up to what I want. My car handles like a cat and the tires wear perfect but it cost me 200 bucks BUT it was worth every penny. Even after the dealer is done I check the toe at home with a tape measure. You would be surprised how off the toe can be on a machine compared to sitting on the pavement.

If you have a level garage floor with a few special tools you can get the alignment dam close. A good level and good tape measure along with careful measuring will get you there.

This. If you take it to a shop you have to babysit them and you should check it again after it settles. You can also drive onto some toe plates and check your caster

[Greenhornet2]

I gave my local dealer what i wanted for specs and they did it, my company does work for them and i used to work for them in the past so we have a good relationship. . Anyone should be able to drop that just tell them you need the before and after print out. I asked them to put their best alignment guy on it because it was going to need a lot of rear adjustment.

[redcoats1976]

Originally Posted by Vegas Bound

I took my car to firestone once. Everybody in the shop had to take it for a test drive and they ran the front right corner of the bumper into something. I sued that crap out of them.

i have the same mechanic that ive used for 30 odd years and when i make the appointment i ask for him by name.a good sharp tech and he has his own toys so he doesnt need to mistreat mine.

[mikeman]

Originally Posted by CamaroBarb

I've never had any luck no matter who I tried for alignments. I always end up doing it myself or find a shop that will allow me to look over them as they do it. Fortunately I found a Chevy dealer that will allow me into the shop and watch them as they set it up to what I want. My car handles like a cat and the tires wear perfect but it cost me 200 bucks BUT it was worth every penny. Even after the dealer is done I check the toe at home with a tape measure. You would be surprised how off the toe can be on a machine compared to sitting on the pavement.

If you have a level garage floor with a few special tools you can get the alignment dam close. A good level and good tape measure along with careful measuring will get you there.

Same here. I just bought a DIY alignment tool to do it myself. I still need to make the turn plates and get the gun scope lasers. If you want a good alignment, it seems you have to spend at least a few hundred bucks at a speed shop to get it.

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by InFiD3ViL

I already have coilovers but just changed out all my strut mounts as I had a bad driver side front mount. Also lowered the car a little bit more. Now my alignment is all jacked up, as expected.

I don't remember where I took it when I did my coilovers originally, as it was a while ago. I absolutely hate taking my car to someone as I always do my own work, but since I haven't won my millions yet I do not have an alignment rack of my own.

The fancy $$$$$ alignment rack mainly makes the job go faster/easier. Gets the job done quicker so the next one can get started sooner and customer wait times are reduced.

If you have enough patience, alignment can be done to within about 0.1° for camber and toe with less than $100 spent on measuring equipment. The rest is mostly just turning wrenches.

It is my understanding that for the 5th gen it'll be the rear wheel alignment that'll be most likely to test that patience. Seems there's a lot of crosstalk between camber adjustments and toe changes (and vice-versa). There was a thread with some tips for minimizing the headaches/frustrations involved.


Last time any of my cars was aligned on a rack in a shop was over 45 years ago. Been doing all of them myself in my driveway for the past 40.


Norm

[CamaroBarb]

Originally Posted by mikeman

Same here. I just bought a DIY alignment tool to do it myself. I still need to make the turn plates and get the gun scope lasers. If you want a good alignment, it seems you have to spend at least a few hundred bucks at a speed shop to get it.

I don't use the plates at all but nothing wrong with using them. I use adjustable levels and a straight edge that fits the wheels perfectly from edge to edge. I check the frame with a level then adjust my wheel checking level to that setting. String to measure the caster and check the toe. But to set the toe I carefully drive it onto a wide set of ramps then simply measure from tread to tread. Then drive it and see how it feels. I guess I've done it so many times but I can feel if everything is right especially the toe. If the toe is right the car will coast very well and carve the turns very predictably. Of course I look at the tire wear before and after.

Fortunately the rear alignment on these cars is very forgiving. I've never had to touch it, when I had it on the dealers machine it was a little off but not enough to wear tires. I opted not to change the rear setting because there is a lot going on back there so if its handling good and not wearing tires I let well enough alone. The dealer tech didn't want to move anything back there, he said hes never adjusted the rear alignment on a Camaro. ?? not sure why

[CamaroBarb]

Originally Posted by Greenhornet2

I gave my local dealer what i wanted for specs and they did it, my company does work for them and i used to work for them in the past so we have a good relationship. . Anyone should be able to drop that just tell them you need the before and after print out. I asked them to put their best alignment guy on it because it was going to need a lot of rear adjustment.

I did that once and came back to a twisted hood. How they managed that is beyond belief and no one knew anything about it. I also worked at that dealer in the past. I also found the frt rotors heat cracked within a few miles. Never more.

[IWANTA(ss)]

Firestone and they got it pretty close to what I asked and it’s a lifetime adjustments warranty

[InFiD3ViL]

Originally Posted by IWANTA(ss)

Firestone and they got it pretty close to what I asked and it’s a lifetime adjustments warranty

I have a Firestone right near me and I know they offer that $149 Lifetime alignment deal. It is just their sales practices I don't care for. But I know they are not all like that.

Its funny I would get this concerned over something so stupid. Not sure why alignments bring out the worst in service garages, but I am obviously not alone in my concerns.

Alignments and suspension aren't exactly in my skill set, so I am not exactly sure what to ask for regarding specific settings. Currently the car is used full street, but I do plan on taking it to the track for 1/4 mile runs later down the line. I see some of you guys mentioning requesting specific settings or going with printouts. What are you basing these on? Right now I just want the steering wheel straight, no pulling to either side, and minimal tire wear. In a couple months I will be upgrading sway bars and end links, so I will have it realigned then as well, of course.