Got some cheap work done...

[RearAdmiral]

So my '10 WRX needed an inspection, and I figured I'd throw a 4 wheel alignment in there and definitely a balance since I put my summer(stock) wheels back on and there was a pretty bad vibration at highway speed.

Last time I went to a local yocal shop that charged me something like 400 dollars for this work, which was just crazy and I've never really gone back.

So I went to a place that is right down the road from me on a main drag that had a 50 dollar inspection, which I normally shell out close to 80 for. So their prices are written down on a whiteboard and it was something like balance + rotation for $40, but I only needed the balancing, they charged me the same price. The 4 wheel alignment was crazy cheap too. Maybe 50 bucks?

Out the door I got charged $161 dollars. They had huge garage doors that were wide open so I could keep my eye on them pretty much the whole time, nothing fishy going on. The only kinda strange thing was the eastern european owners, we have ZERO(well 2 now) eastern european folks around these here parts.

I thought it could be a front but they are right along one of the main roads in town...hmmm. Either way I got a nice computerized report of my alignment changes and the one mechanic talked to me for a few minutes about his work. I asked him to zero out the camber and we talked about factory spec. vs zero for a bit and he wanted to know what I would like.

I know I got ripped off before but jeez that seems cheap!

 

[michal1980]

how long did it take them to get the work done?

 

[RearAdmiral]

how long did it take them to get the work done?

Hour and a half or so.

 

[richardycc]

so you paid $161 for an alignment, and balance + rotation? how is that a deal? Alignment is around $50-80, balance + rotation can be done for around $30-$50.

 

[RearAdmiral]

so you paid $161 for an alignment, and balance + rotation? how is that a deal? Alignment is around $50-80, balance + rotation can be done for around $30-$50.

And my yearly inspection. I'm used to paying ~75-80 for that in PA.

 

[JEDIYoda]

That is dirt cheap.....
My BMW Z7 ...costs an arm and a leg....

 

[rommelrommel]

50 bucks for an alignment = a shitty alignment around here. I paid about 100 for a reputable shop to do it last time.

 

[phucheneh]

50 bucks for an alignment = a shitty alignment around here. I paid about 100 for a reputable shop to do it last time.

It just depends on the shop.

Firestone charges like 80-100 bucks. Most do. And you're damn lucky if the guy has ANY idea what he's doing, as the most incompetent person usually gets made the 'suspension guy.' At the local Firestone, you're lucky to get anything other than front toe set.

And they're dishonest. Alignment is spot-on already? Turn the steering wheel, make a printout with some red on it, straighten wheel, make new printout, collect money.

Come to where I work and it's 60-70 bucks. They've actually been running them for 25 bucks off (that's a $45 four wheel alignment). I'm one of two people that would be doing it, and unlike your typical Firestone employee, I know my ass from a hole in the ground, I adjust everything that needs to be (or can be) adjusted, and if the car doesn't need a damned alignment, it doesn't get one. No charge.

That last bit will surely seem utterly foreign to some, who have been conditioned by shitty shops to think that their car just randomly falls out of alignment all the time.

 

[Tweak155]

It just depends on the shop.

Firestone charges like 80-100 bucks. Most do. And you're damn lucky if the guy has ANY idea what he's doing, as the most incompetent person usually gets made the 'suspension guy.' At the local Firestone, you're lucky to get anything other than front toe set.

And they're dishonest. Alignment is spot-on already? Turn the steering wheel, make a printout with some red on it, straighten wheel, make new printout, collect money.

Come to where I work and it's 60-70 bucks. They've actually been running them for 25 bucks off (that's a $45 four wheel alignment). I'm one of two people that would be doing it, and unlike your typical Firestone employee, I know my ass from a hole in the ground, I adjust everything that needs to be (or can be) adjusted, and if the car doesn't need a damned alignment, it doesn't get one. No charge.

That last bit will surely seem utterly foreign to some, who have been conditioned by shitty shops to think that their car just randomly falls out of alignment all the time.

Where you at again? :biggrin:

 

[rommelrommel]

Where you at again? :biggrin:

Seriously!

There's only one place around here I'd even bother with going to, the others are of the "Turn the steering wheel, make a printout with some red on it, straighten wheel, make new printout, collect money" mindset.

 

[Belegost]

Seriously!

There's only one place around here I'd even bother with going to, the others are of the "Turn the steering wheel, make a printout with some red on it, straighten wheel, make new printout, collect money" mindset.

I'd like to know as well, putting a new tie rod in my C230 this weekend, need a good alignment shop after.

 

[phucheneh]

Sorry fellas, unless you're in Nashville, I can't do anything for you.

I really think the trick is finding a decent shop that will have a 'do anything' mechanic align your car. Avoid the chains and anywhere else that will probably employ an 'alignment guy' that is basically an oil change guy that makes an extra buck an hour.

The hardest thing for most people is accepting that all alignments are not 'gravy work.' For every one or two cars that are very quick adjustments, one is a PITA...usually something like a ten year old truck that's never had caster and camber set. It can be akin to say...tuning a carbureter versus building one out a pile of discarded parts.

GM's are the most obvious...they have plastic pieces locking the adjustment cams in a factory default position...their truck has 200k miles, has had parts replaced before...and what's that? The damned plastic is still in there. What a joke.