Lifetime Alignment...How much to pay?

[ClarkB]

I've sniffed out a one-day deal for a lifetime alignment (4-wheel) for $120. Is this a good deal? It seems like one to me since a 4-wheel alignment is normally $75+. I simply have no clue what a "lifetime" alignment would go for though.

Clark

 

[c3po]

I once had it with Sears, probably still do, what happened was that after 2 years they told me my front end needed a bunch of work and they could not align the front end.

I took it too another place, I think it was the dealership and they said everything was fine.

Sounds like a good deal until they try to sell you extra stuff.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Sounds like a good deal to me. For my car, a one-time alignment costs more than that.

 

[VK56VD]

Good deal for a consumer that has a clue of what's going on with their vehicle when the shop tries to sell extra unneeded work. make sure this is a reputable shop that will be around for a while and won't disappear tomorrow. Firestone I think offers the same deal.

 

[The Critic]

Yeah, Firestone has the one-day lifetime alignment sale this Sunday. It's $120 with a coupon if you're on their mailing list. It's a great deal if you plan to keep your car.

At least with Firestone, it's honored at any of their locations. So if one of their locations insists on selling unnecessary work, you can always try another one.

 

[Turk]

Whoa..............

I have 138,000 miles on my original alignment from the factory.

The truck goes down the road nice and straight; all original front end parts.

The tires have 75,000 miles on them and only have been rotated twice, look great and they can easily go 90,000 miles.

So:

Why on earth would you want to shell out that much money for something you may not even need...?

Save your money!

 

[VK56VD]

Some vehicles alignment comes out of spec quicker than others.

 

[scoobie]

It's just a gimmick to get you to go in and have your front end parts replaced that doesn't need doing. marketing has it all figured out. I have 210,000 miles on my Econoline e150. in 16 years, it needed only replacement of ball joints once, with of course re alignment, once. i also find that the wait time in sears is atrocious. i'd rather pick my place, rather than get stuck with a contract.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: scoobie
It's just a gimmick to get you to go in and have your front end parts replaced that doesn't need doing. marketing has it all figured out. I have 210,000 miles on my Econoline e150. in 16 years, it needed only replacement of ball joints once, with of course re alignment, once. i also find that the wait time in sears is atrocious. i'd rather pick my place, rather than get stuck with a contract.

 

[Eddie]

never had a vehicle that needed an alignment before I sold them at 127,000 + miles. I did have one car that was misaligned from the factory and the dealer did it for free. Maybe if I was a curb hitter or off-roader it would be a good deal. A standard 4 wheel alignment in my area is $79 to $89 and often a $20 coupon is avail.

 

[ClarkB]

My current vehicle, in a former life, was stolen and not treated the best. Some of the front suspension was tweaked the wrong way and a ball joint was replaced. They nailed me twice for alignment in that procedure. I was under the weather when I paid the bill so I put up no fight. I have a feeling the car will need more alignments in the future so I will go with the Firestone plan and be stuck under some (apparently) horrible contract.

Clark

 

[ARB1977]

Originally Posted By: ClarkB
I've sniffed out a one-day deal for a lifetime alignment (4-wheel) for $120. Is this a good deal? It seems like one to me since a 4-wheel alignment is normally $75+. I simply have no clue what a "lifetime" alignment would go for though.

Clark

I would be careful. Wheel works had a unlimited alignments for up too one year...i forgot how much i paid. I think i took it in 4 times and evertime it was messed up.

 

[demarpaint]

Another gimic to sell brake jobs and front end parts that aren't needed. No one does anything for free, especially in the automotive world!!!!!!!!! Take the car to a good shop pay for the alignment, when you feel you need another alignment, or plan on replacing tires then get another alignment.

I love the lifetime brake jobs too. I never heard of someone going in to have the pads replaced (LT Warranty), when they were worn out that didn't need calipers and rotors, or wheel cyls, brake lines, drums, etc.

Or free oil changes, free tire rotations for life, NO THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Let the buyer beware!

Frank D

 

[Kestas]

I had two experiences with lifetime (actually, 5-year free) alignments. I bought one alignment program because I anticipated a lot of future front end work.

One company (Montgomery Wards) went bankrupt two years into the warrranty - so goodbye to that program.

During an alignment, another found the need to replace the strut mount bolts on each side, for an additional $30. ***??

I have since learned to do alignments at home.

 

[ClarkB]

Well, I took the plunge. $404 bought me four new 65K mile tires installed and a Lifetime Alignment for the car.

Considering that without the sale the tires alone would run me about that much, I'm pretty happy. I'll be sure to report any extra services or parts they try to sell me.

Clark