alignment question--getting screwed?
 

I just finished putting a new a-arm up front and Bilsteins all around. I called a few places for alignment prices and found that they ran around $60 at Merchants and Firestone. Both shops were willing to let me sit in the car and provide my own alignment specs.

When I called a Mazda dealer, he initally said it was $60 for an alignment. When I told him I wanted to sit in it and use my own specs he then said he had a tech who specialized in auto-x setups and would spend around 3 hrs setting up the car correctly for $130. Sound reasonable, or should I save my money and go cheap?

$130, 3hrs? BS. It takes a qualified tech about 15-30 min to do a custom alignment on a FD. I've paid $69.95 and they let me sit in the car and get it to EXACTLY what I asked for.

I should know I've gotten 4 alignments trying to get my specs right.

Jeff

Thanks, Jeff. I didn't think there was a difference as long as the numbers from the computer match my request.

The only thing the dealer mentioned was that they use a different machine for the more expensive alignment. Maybe it produces a more accurate result? Or maybe it just produces a bigger profit margin?:mad:

Go to Firestone and get the lifetime alignment for $99-$130.00.
The price is differenent if there is a sale or what not.
Then you can get an alignment once ever 6k miles or 6 months as long as you own your car!!!
When I got coilovers, I had to adjust and get several aligments. I wish I would have known about the Firestone one sooner.
Its also good across the United States at ALL Firestones.

Damn, i think i'll join up on that frequent buyer club. U got me sold!

Thanks, G.

I just called my local Firestone, and he says that he won't offer the lifetime deal to me because I want to use custom specs. Anyway, I found a local speed shop that will do it for me. Thanks for the info.

FYI, I just got back from Merchants. They didn't have a head extension for their alignment machine that fit 18" rims, nor would their computer allow them to deviate from the factory alignment specs. Note to self: ask very specific questions when having service done on car.:D

Definantly ask a lot of questions over the phone before going anywhere. If you have 18s on the car make sure they can do it! One place actually told me they could, but then realized when I got there that they "thought it would work." They wanted me to come back with different wheels on so they could do it :p: