Is lifetime wheel alignment at Firestone worth it ?
What good place to get wheel alignment .
- Thread starter MetalSlug
- Start date
In over 30 years I've only taken a car in for alignment once, and they couldn't do it because of a bent tie rod. If you can DIY you can adjust the alignment on most cars. If you can't, figure how often you need an alignment vs. individual cost vs. lifetime cost. And do they have limitations like once or twice a year max.
Mine is no longer lifetime… check the fine print… it’s for a certain number of years, maybe 3? I’ve had good alignments done at my Firestone; and better at NTB. Years ago big ten tires did an alignment for me and it wasn’t great and I had to go back a couple of times.
I have the lifetime alignment and it really depends on the shop you go to. With the focus, I always had to bring it back a second time. I switched firestone when I got the CX5 and they've been dead on so far.
The fine print also says every 6 months or 6,000 miles but I just read it now. I've taken the car back with the months or miles under those restrictions and they've never mentioned it. YMMV.
The fine print also says every 6 months or 6,000 miles but I just read it now. I've taken the car back with the months or miles under those restrictions and they've never mentioned it. YMMV.
When I get them I tend to go to the dealer. I’ve had some really crappy alignments at independent shops. The dealer always seems to do a good job. You can usually find coupons on their websites, so it’s not that much more $.
My Honda dealer got my alignment perfect, twice in the past few months. First after replacing the axle halfshafts, then recently after I replaced front suspension components. I've heard too many bad experiences happen when alignments are done at most other places. Sometimes an incompetent service technician makes the alignment worse.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
You don’t need a lifetime alignment. Your alignment only changes if you have bent or worn out suspension parts, so aligning them is just a bandaid.
If you want to find a good alignment shop, find some forums that are based around autocrossing or amateur racing. Those guys can often point the way to a good shop.
I know in my area there is only one place I'll ever go and that is not a chain shop. I'll drive an hour one way because I know they know what they're doing and will get the alignment exactly how I want it.
I know in my area there is only one place I'll ever go and that is not a chain shop. I'll drive an hour one way because I know they know what they're doing and will get the alignment exactly how I want it.
I got to Stockton Hill Tire, but that may be a little far for others.
For "comebacks" they pay the tech a stupidly low amount on flat rate.
For a car with a typical macpherson strut setup, they are very likely to just set the toe and let you go. They'll claim that camber and caster are not adjustable from the factory.
This is technically the truth, but said adjustments can be made with grinding or cam bolts.
The problem will be, you gave them all this money up front, and you'll be fighting to get it back later in service.
For a good alignment, get a word-of-mouth recommendation in your town. No chain can have a system so good that they blow everyone else out of the water. And if you do get a good alignment, tip the tech and ask for him the next time.
For a car with a typical macpherson strut setup, they are very likely to just set the toe and let you go. They'll claim that camber and caster are not adjustable from the factory.
This is technically the truth, but said adjustments can be made with grinding or cam bolts.
The problem will be, you gave them all this money up front, and you'll be fighting to get it back later in service.
For a good alignment, get a word-of-mouth recommendation in your town. No chain can have a system so good that they blow everyone else out of the water. And if you do get a good alignment, tip the tech and ask for him the next time.
I too have the best of luck at the Honda Dealership...
The real question is how long does an alignment stay in spec when driving on your local roads? If its a pothole mess, lifetime warranty places might make more sense. If its long winding highways that are maintained, then find a good shop and keep it moving.
I've hit many potholes, curbs, and general bad luck with road conditions to experience hitting a pothole or driving over a poorly maintained RR crossing can easily shift alignments when the suspension stuff are in perfect condition.
But that's me hitting stuff....IL roads are some of the worst maintained roads.
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Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
On a Unit body net-build car w/ struts, it is not required.
If it's out - wearing tires and squealing on concrete - something was incorrect from the beginning or you have bent or worn parts/rubber bushings.
Out of twenty or so alignments only two corrected an issue, And one was on an 80's Chevy S-10, that was out from the factory with a frame and shimmed ULCA - not Mac strut garbage. Woodworth Cadillac in Andover, MA. fixed it for me - diagonally across from Shawsheen Ford dealership where Jay Leno and his dad bought cars ages ago.
He was a couple years ahead of me in highschool.
- Ken
If it's out - wearing tires and squealing on concrete - something was incorrect from the beginning or you have bent or worn parts/rubber bushings.
Out of twenty or so alignments only two corrected an issue, And one was on an 80's Chevy S-10, that was out from the factory with a frame and shimmed ULCA - not Mac strut garbage. Woodworth Cadillac in Andover, MA. fixed it for me - diagonally across from Shawsheen Ford dealership where Jay Leno and his dad bought cars ages ago.
He was a couple years ahead of me in highschool.
- Ken
Many many moons ago I worked at an alignment shop where the owner also owned the collision shop our buildings were attached too. We got to do a lot of alignments and ones on cars with questionable parts and frames.
As stated here previously, it all depends on the person doing it. Ask around to some collision shops, if dealers sublet them out and who to, ask some custom shops...
As stated here previously, it all depends on the person doing it. Ask around to some collision shops, if dealers sublet them out and who to, ask some custom shops...
I've said this before, but the published alignment specs are too wide - by half. The settings need to be within the inner half of the spec if you want good tire wear. Not every alignment tech knows this, so you need to ask BEFORE. If they won't do that. find another shop!
Further, some places think that if the factory didn't make allowances for adjustment, then they shouldn't mess with that - kind of a "Set toe and go!" They are wrong.
Even further, many shops won't tell you upfront that they may need additional parts (eccentric bolt, or camber plate) to get the settings right - and those have a cost associated with that. I suggest you ask BEFORE about that and authorize those additional parts BEFOREHAND!
Further, some places think that if the factory didn't make allowances for adjustment, then they shouldn't mess with that - kind of a "Set toe and go!" They are wrong.
Even further, many shops won't tell you upfront that they may need additional parts (eccentric bolt, or camber plate) to get the settings right - and those have a cost associated with that. I suggest you ask BEFORE about that and authorize those additional parts BEFOREHAND!
The majority of my alignment issues were with the rear lower control arm; usually caused by a big pothole at highway speeds that tweaked the alignment by few tenths of a degree.
