Hey guys,

I was just wondering where you guys get your alignments done. My car is lowered and i don't want a shop ripping my front bumper off on those stupid ramps they drive the cars up for alignments. So are there any shops around that can do alignments with the car on the ground or something suitable for a lowered car?

I'm asking ahead of time because i'm going to be getting some toe links soon so i'll need the alignment. Thanks in advance guys.

-Brent

 

any real quality alignment rack is laser - however they all require you to put
ur car on the alignment rack. so ur best approach is to lift the car up using
a floor jack and putting it on the rack = any alignment done on the floor I can
almost guarantee will yeild you measurements that are inaccurate good luck
I can get you a good one in northeastern Pa
Pauli

 

What do you mean useing a floor jack to put the car on the rack? not following you there. Anyone else know of anywhere that does alignments on performance cars?

 

Give Pete Zazanis at PBC a call. They've done my alignments in the past.

http://www.performancebuyers.com/

Performance Buyers Club
14500-C Lee Rd
Chantilly, VA 20151
Service shop phone: 1-703-818-7383

 

You're probably going to have to pay whoever it is to at least take the lip spoiler off anyway, so that the laser alignment equipment can line up.

 

Thanks for the input guys

 

curry's in sterling

 

I'm gonna second the removal of the lip spoiler, having done alignments before...

If they're using the older (A few years old) equipment, it'll have the heads that attach to the lips of your wheels... There'll be an infrared laser emitter that shoots a beam across the front of the car and low front ends mess it up...

Only the newest equipment has the stationary lasers where they attach mirrors to your rims.

If I were going to get an alignment on a lowered car, I'd go to Harbor Freight or somewhere and get some pickup truck bed loading ramps. MUCH longer than stock alignment rack ramps so there'll be much less angle.

You CAN do an alignment on the floor, but it's a pain. Most places won't be set up to do one like that.

 

Brent, listen to Pat on this. Currys in Stering is the ONLY shop I'd let come near my car w/ a 10 foot pole. They're hands down one of the best shops and have some of the best mechanics, period. But don't take my word for it. Check out the full race-bred Porsches, BMWs, and rare exotics they have in their parking lot at any given time

They have the best equipment, and know how to deal w/ aftermarket equipment no problem, including lowered cars and 18"+ rims. Call 'em up, and talk to Dan, Mike, or Keith, and tell 'em Ramy sent ya. They'll take REAL good care of you. Heck, they'll even do a custom alignment to your specs if you want.

~Ramy

PS: My car is at stock height, but it sits VERY close to the ground w/ all the bodywork, and they had absolutely no problem w/ it clearing on the alignment rack.

 

I'd REALLY love to have my own alignment rack. Alignments are such easy money.

 

There is the need of the shops to get a return on they're investment on the alignment equipment, it's not cheap. A custom alignment also means more than just aligning to custom specs, it means going back and forth to make sure all specs are correct. One adjustment affects another. It takes time to do this so your money is buying time to get it right. It's also nice to see if a shop will let you sit in the car while it's being done. It makes a bit of a difference. PBC referred to above allowed this when mine was done.

 

I was gonna say. Alignment machines - esp. the good high-tech ones, are VERY expensive. Ditto w/ dynos etc etc

 

Right, but the average alignment on a Civic or Corolla doesn't take long (30 mins to an hour) and most tire shops charge 50-75 bucks for one... That'll more than make up for the extra time spent on custom alignments...

Besides, once you've got the rack, no other tools are required... A good pair of pliers to turn the center link fo the tie rod and a set of wrenches... Perhaps a prybar to tweak rear control arms if there are no cams... And LOTS of WD-40...

 

do you guys have any contact info on Currys in Stering. I need an alignment. How are are they from baltimore MD.

mark

 

Curry's Automotive

DULLES/STERLING
1510 Moran Road
Sterling, VA 20166
(571) 522-1002
fax (571) 522-1010
dulles@currysauto.com

They also have locations in Falls Church, Chantilly, and Reston. http://www.currysauto.com

 

Hey Mark! Long time How goes it? Hopefully the car's doing well...

Check out this page: http://www.currysauto.com/highper.htm You may see a pic of your car's cousin on there

Oh and Brent, while they do have other locations, the Dulles/Sterling location is the one known to be THE top notch shop of the area. I'd stick w/ them.

~Ramy

 

Hey I don't know that place. But my brothers shop does nice work. They work on any kind of car but their a Porsche shop mostly. They build race cars, and the owner use to race Porshce's himself. He can hook up sespension up for racing if you asked. Heres the website http://www.conveniencecarcare.com/ . Its in manassas, you can look at it or you don't have to, but they do good work, and we align your car.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'll have to make some calls and drag the car around to a few places.

The car is going great, just swapped on some new heads and upped the boost and the car went from fast to a being a missle. Once again the car scares me it's great.

mark

 

some good info Ramy. its starting to look like i need an alignment myself... i'll give them a call.

btw, i talked to a friend of yours at the best buy in woodbridge... Joe i think.

 

Hmm...refresh my memory?

 

OMG that car is SWEET! I would love a ride in that thing!

Well done!

 

i think his last name is james, he's got a 240 i think making 380hp... he said you him and SUMAVRICK used to hang out alot.

 

Man.... that name isn't ringing a bell for some reason. Joe w/ a 240...hmm. I know who SuMavrick is (Neal). Oh well...tell him I said zup anyway LOL (I'm bad w/ names).

~Ramy

 

next time i see him. he seems to know alot about your car... and that youre not spilling the beans about the plans

 

PMed ya so I don't hijack the thread lol