Are "Lifetime" alignment specials worth it?

[qdeezie]

I'm kinda back and forth on this thing and I think I'm going to do it, but wanted to run it by some of you on here to see if you have a bit more insight than I do or other suggestions.

I put a new set of tires on my Focus and I would like to have an alignment done to ensure that there is no irregular wear going on.

Also, in looking at the car from the rear, it seems like the tires are leaning in at the top, so I definitely want to get this checked out ASAP.

In addition to this, my clutch is beginning to slip and I will be replacing it in a month or two and from what I can tell, there will be quite a few parts on front end will have to come apart to install a new clutch and I'm not sure if I'm going to do it myself or pay someone to do it, so I don't know at the moment what approach I will take or someone I pay will take to replace the clutch will take.

With this in mind, I'd like to have the front end checked afterwards.

Do you think this scenario would warrant the extra cost for the lifetime alignment?

Obviously, I'd rather do the clutch first and then get the alignment which would eliminate this conversation, but to be perfectly honest, I am honestly stalling a bit because I am back and forth between whether I want to pay someone to do the job or do it myself and I don't want my tires to have a premature death due to me stalling.

Thoughts?

 

[Donald]

One big consideration would be how easy to get the alignment? Sams Club has free balancing and rotation of tires you bought there. But if they are busy its a PIA to wait.

 

[Jimzz]

When I was a tech it was the fine print that was the scam part. If they find anything wrong, they usually do, and you decline then you void the warranty.

So read the fine print and ask what would void it.

 

[Schmoe]

Depends on how long you want to keep the car and of course, the road conditions you daily drive in.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: Jimzz
When I was a tech it was the fine print that was the scam part. If they find anything wrong, they usually do, and you decline then you void the warranty.

So read the fine print and ask what would void it.


Right! My cars are older now(see signature) and I am replacing suspension parts little by little. I thought that if I buy the lifetime alignment that, it would cover another alignment each time I replaced parts and IT DOES NOT!

And, I was told by the shop Mgr that, if I showed up for alignments too often, the shop would want to inspect the suspension for the problems as to why I am requiring so many alignments. Therefore negating my lifetime purchase.

IMHO, purchase an alignment when you need an alignment!

 

[qdeezie]

I plan on keeping the car for 10 years at the bare minimum.

When I bought the car, I replaced every sensor, timing belt, alternator, starter, tensioner, idler pulley, vacuum hoses and every radiator hose, so it's a rock solid car.

 

[The_Jeff]

Was reading where Firestone paid their techs FIVE BUCKS for a redo on their lifetime alignment. It's considered a "comeback" worthy of "punishment".

IDK if they still do that or if other shops are as onerous. I wouldn't put all sorts of cash up front though.

Also beware if your car is a "toe only" alignment because they're unwilling to grind out struts or use other semi-advanced techniques that the real pros do. They'll claim it's "not adjustable" to kick you out.

I personally would not get a lifetime alignment.

 

[friendly_jacek]

i only purchased it once from firestone (I had a coupon) and it did require putting some shims on rear axle. that was a legitimate issue (irregular tire wear on rear and nonadjustable axle) and they didn't rip me off too much (I paid $200 IRRC for the whole lifetime warranty and shims).

Next time I was buying new tires I tried to use the warranty and the shop (a different firestone) screwed the alignment royally, I could feel there was a problem when I picked the car (probably they did it for purpose as I was a "nonpaying" customer).

I took it yet to another firestone much further from my place and they were very professional about it and fixed it great no question asked.

I would have used them more if not the fact that my kid totaled the car, so I used it only twice (not counting the screw-up). I have no problems with alignment with the current cars I have.

If the lifetime is 2x the alignment cost, then it's worth. I would not pay more though.

 

[Nick1994]

I don't think its worth it. If your old tires were wearing fine then no need for an alignment. My car has only needed one alignment it's whole life, and that was after some control arm bushings. Unless you have wearing parts the. Your alignment doesn't change.

 

[KGMtech]

I don't know if my opinion is worth anything, but in the last 35 years of driving, I've had 2 alignments and those were both more than 20 years ago.

I drive city streets, cottage roads and paths, and try to avoid the potholes if possible. I doubt my driving is so good that I could brag...but my tires have all worn just about even with regular x rotation methods (as allowed, save for directional treads)

Unless you really smack a curb, or have an accident, save your money till you need an alignment.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Was reading where Firestone paid their techs FIVE BUCKS for a redo on their lifetime alignment. It's considered a "comeback" worthy of "punishment".

IDK if they still do that or if other shops are as onerous. I wouldn't put all sorts of cash up front though.

Also beware if your car is a "toe only" alignment because they're unwilling to grind out struts or use other semi-advanced techniques that the real pros do. They'll claim it's "not adjustable" to kick you out.

I personally would not get a lifetime alignment.


We got the duck when I worked at Sears and we had to do a warranty alignment. Funny how some of us never had comebacks, but always got stuck with the comebacks from other techs. The worst was when a customer would not disclose they had a lifetime alignment until they came to pay. So you went from getting $15-20 for the work, to absolutely nothing. And it seemed like every car that had lifetime alignment was a car that took forever to align.

 

[qdeezie]

Glad I posted the question. I think I'll just park the car for a week or so and go ahead and get started on the clutch and probably take it to a local alignment shop that's been in business for some years and have it done just once for considerably less.

 

[RISUPERCREWMAN]

Originally Posted By: Schmoe
Depends on how long you want to keep the car and of course, the road conditions you daily drive in.


I opted for the lifetime alignment on my 2011 Crown Vic at Firestone. Every year I have them mount/dismount my snow tires. Every Spring upon dismounting the snows I have them do an alignment for FREE after dodging pot holes all winter long. For me its money well spent & pays for itself in no time if your gonna drive the wheels off the car like I am.

 

[friendly_jacek]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
The worst was when a customer would not disclose they had a lifetime alignment until they came to pay.


Well, read my post above explaining why the customers have to do it.

 

[badtlc]

For my wife's car it would be. It needs aligned about every 2 years.

 

[danthaman1980]

I have a Firestone lifetime alignment on my Silverado. I bought it around 10 years ago and have used it maybe 5 or 6 times so far. Last couple of times just for realignment after changing tie rods. Mine has definitely paid off. Best part, it is good at ANY firestone, nationwide. If I move again, find a new firestone. If I don't like the way shop A does things, try shop B across town or shop C next town over. : )

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
The worst was when a customer would not disclose they had a lifetime alignment until they came to pay.


Well, read my post above explaining why the customers have to do it.


I would rather be told upfront. I really didn't care about the money, but it was the principle of the matter. I actually would be inclined to do a better job if it was a warranty alignment, because I would spend more time on the diagnosis to find the issue causing it versus just doing an alignment with new tires.

 

[CT8]

Isn't the rear axle adjustable? I would spend the money on a frontend shop that sets the alignment on both axles to the exact specs and not the with in tolerances.

 

[Mykl]

I haven't had good service at Firestone, so I don't trust them with something as complicated as an alignment.

 

[Nick1994]

I forget to mention my mechanic buddy took a customers car over to Firestone for an alignment after front end work and 2 new front tires (rears were only a couple months old) and after a couple months they brought the car back to him because it was driving weird. Turns out Firestone forgot to tighten the nuts on the adjusting collars on the tie rods and they unscrewed over time and the brand new tires were COMPLETELY BALD. And I mean completely, like as smooth as glass. Firestone offered 20% an alignment and 2 new tires and wouldn't budge. My car will never roll into a Firestone.