Front-end alignments ... where and how much?

[dud]

I am requesting recommendations for where to go and how much to reasonably expect to pay for a front-end alignment. My truck drives smoothly but tends to the right ... and it is getting worse. There is some excessive wear on the outside portion of my right-front tire. While my truck has power steering it takes a noticeable (but not a lot) of force to counter this tendancy to steer to the right.

Would appreciate any recommendations including what to pay. Thanks ...

 

[Jimzz]

Check the suspension first. Replace any parts needed then get the alignment. I jsut rebuilt my frontend due to a coupel small issues. But I also replaced the outer tie roids due to being cheap and easy.

But for an alignment call around a lot and ask others. Some do much better jobs than others and some charge to much and/or are rip off shops.

 

[franksta]

I'll second what Jimzz said. If you have worn parts the alignment won't do a bit of good. I've paid between $50 and $80 for an alignment.

 

[PottedMeat]

around here it's ~$70 for a four wheel alignment

and yeah like said above it's wasted money if worn parts aren't fixed/replaced.

 

[NutBucket]

But any alignment guy worth his salt will tell you if there are worn out components too. I mean, that's potentially more money for them anyway.

 

[brainhulk]

firestone lifetime alignments i hear are around ~$140. Gotta ask around though about which techs do good jobs

 

[Jimzz]

But any alignment guy worth his salt will tell you if there are worn out components too. I mean, that's potentially more money for them anyway.

Yea but many of them are dirty and will try and sell you tie rods everytime.

Best to have a regular tech do the work then go the aligment.

 

[NutBucket]

Assuming you trust the tech

 

[Jimzz]

Assuming you trust the tech

I do... I trust myself.

 

[JCH13]

I paid $80 for a spot-on 4-wheel alignment to custom specs with me sitting in the car. I would expect to pay maybe $50 for a front-end alignment of similar quality.

 

[kalrith]

But any alignment guy worth his salt will tell you if there are worn out components too. I mean, that's potentially more money for them anyway.

The best is to go to a place that focuses on alignments. There's a good shop in town that's told me a couple times when I've needed to replace suspension parts. Since they don't do the repairs themselves, I trust that they're not just trying to upsell me. They also don't charge anything for the free inspection. It's $80 for a 4-wheel alignment.

 

[NutBucket]

Sounds good. My shop does repairs as well but they have treated me well. Last time I bought tires from them I had them do an alignment as well. When they got the car on the rack it turned out everything was still spot on so it was only $25 for an check. I have no doubt many other shops would have charged the full price. But then maybe they know I'm not gullible?

 

[marvdmartian]

Make sure you get some sort of warranty too. I have never had to use it, but the peace of mind is nice.

Also, doesn't hurt to go somewhere where you can sit outside the bay and keep an eye on the guy doing it. Saw a local place, that everyone recommended, take a breaker bar to some dude's rear suspension, and "adjust" it. I shuddered to think of what other unseen damage they might have been causing, just to get the job done quickly and cheaply. D: