alignment/frame!
03-31-07, 02:04 AM
#1
Hopeful Future
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alignment/frame!
Hey guys, my car is currently suffering from alignment issues. I had it corrected once,and *MOST* of the problem went away, only a SLIGHT pull was left. The guy (friend of a friend so I dont think he is bs'ing me) said that my frame was out of alignment by a few degrees.
He said it could *POSSIBLY* be reading that way because of worn struts. I know for a fact I need new struts though.
So im asking, Do you think that its possible the struts could be causing the incorrect reading on the frame? if not, how much do you think im looking at to get the frame fixed at an alignment shop?
He said it could *POSSIBLY* be reading that way because of worn struts. I know for a fact I need new struts though.
So im asking, Do you think that its possible the struts could be causing the incorrect reading on the frame? if not, how much do you think im looking at to get the frame fixed at an alignment shop?
03-31-07, 11:06 AM
#2
You should never spend money to align a car that has worn out or damaged suspension parts. You can't get a good alignment and you also will have to have it redone when the parts are repaired/replaced. If your tires are wearing out really fast and you don't have enough money to fix the suspension and alignment and you also can't afford to buy lots of new tires, you can't afford to own a car.
That being said, get an alignment from a *real* alignment shop. This would be someone who makes their living aligning cars and doing underbody and frame work. They may also have frame straitening equipment. Try to find someone who has been in business for a long time in the same place. If you have a NAPA store, usually those guys can tell you who is best in the area.
Don't waste your money on the tire chain store alignments. Those stores hire the cheapest (read that least qualified) people they can hire and they charge the highest price they possibly can. They also just get the alignment into the 'green' on the computer. You can have a car in the green that has a pretty bad problem. They will take your money and if you comeback unhappy, they will tell you that you are on your own.
You will not get a 'free alignment check' from a real shop. A real shop will put the car into the closest to perfect condition as possible. You will pay for the work done. If your car needs repair, they will offer to fix it at a standard rate and they will still charge you for the alignment if you decline the repair.
When you get a nice, accurate alignment, your car's handling will 'wake up' and you will discover why the RX7 was such a marvel of sports car design.
Now, you were asking is it possible that the struts could be causing a problem to be read in the frame? Why did your shop say it is possible that the problem was a frame problem? He probably said this because he cannot get a good reading with the worn out parts. Ask more questions let them explain it to you in a way that you can understand what needs to be done to get to the bottom of the issue. They should also tell you what it will cost. Be prepared to spend some money along the way.
Good luck!
That being said, get an alignment from a *real* alignment shop. This would be someone who makes their living aligning cars and doing underbody and frame work. They may also have frame straitening equipment. Try to find someone who has been in business for a long time in the same place. If you have a NAPA store, usually those guys can tell you who is best in the area.
Don't waste your money on the tire chain store alignments. Those stores hire the cheapest (read that least qualified) people they can hire and they charge the highest price they possibly can. They also just get the alignment into the 'green' on the computer. You can have a car in the green that has a pretty bad problem. They will take your money and if you comeback unhappy, they will tell you that you are on your own.
You will not get a 'free alignment check' from a real shop. A real shop will put the car into the closest to perfect condition as possible. You will pay for the work done. If your car needs repair, they will offer to fix it at a standard rate and they will still charge you for the alignment if you decline the repair.
When you get a nice, accurate alignment, your car's handling will 'wake up' and you will discover why the RX7 was such a marvel of sports car design.
Now, you were asking is it possible that the struts could be causing a problem to be read in the frame? Why did your shop say it is possible that the problem was a frame problem? He probably said this because he cannot get a good reading with the worn out parts. Ask more questions let them explain it to you in a way that you can understand what needs to be done to get to the bottom of the issue. They should also tell you what it will cost. Be prepared to spend some money along the way.
Good luck!