Alignment Attempt #2

fish eye · **Posted:** Wed May 17, 2006 5:10 pm

Well, I tried to have a Firestone auto center do my alignment about a month ago. Before that, I was getting them done pretty well at my dealer, but the tech and I both agreed that a professional alignment shop would get it dialed in perfectly.

Needless to say, the front end tech at Firestone did me worse off than when I showed up. When they were finished, they told me there was no way to get it even close to factory spec, so they charged me for an alignment check. $20. They said once I got the new uppers, that they would have no problems. Also, I was a 'walk-in' on a Friday afternoon, and the disposition I was getting from that shop was that they were all ready to start the weekend. I think I got half-a$$ed on that deal. :shock:

Well, today I called a local alignment shop, and I have an appointment at 4 pm. The lady on the phone said they are very familiar with doing lifted trucks, and that she felt very confident that they would be able to get it dang close to spec. We'll see. I'm keeping my fingers crossed... :roll:

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Wed May 17, 2006 5:14 pm

They will never get you back to factory spec with the stock upper arms. They can, however, get your tires to track straight and wear evenly, and that is what you want.

fish eye · **Posted:** Wed May 17, 2006 8:31 pm

Yeah, Al's uppers will be bought as soon as the funds are available.

In any event, the alignment and frame shop I took it to was able to get it real real close to spec. The tech was really knowledgable, and worked that thing like it should have been done from the start. The difference is night and day.

Needless to say, I am supremely disappointed with the Firestone shop I went to for the first alignment. I should have known better though. From here on out, I'll be going back to the place that knows what's going on, as well as a few tricks to get the control arms where they want them. Lets just say come-alongs are just for the trail... :lol:

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Wed May 17, 2006 11:53 pm

I got my Firestones mounted down in C.Springs, so we probably got the same crappy service. They took over 4 hours to mount and balance the tires and then said they couldn't do an alignment cause they were closing, and that I "would never be able to have a good alignment again because I lifted my jeep". Needless to say, I left immediately and never went back. I only went down there cause they had the tires I wanted. I now go to the Firestone in Parker, were I was able to talk directly to the alignment guy would gave me the low-down on alignments for lifted jeeps, and of course get my alignment as close to factory spec as possible.

fish eye · **Posted:** Thu May 18, 2006 8:25 am

I was able to talk with the tech as he did my alignment. I am convinced that the guys at Firestone wouldn't be able to get it done, no matter what. This tech actually used a come-along chained to both the lowers to get them where he wanted them. For some reason, I suspect that the Firestone guys use only the conventional methods to do things, not the 'anything I need to do to get it done' attitude.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Thu May 18, 2006 11:24 pm

a come along is not a conventional method... That is a you just broke it you pay for it method!! The cam washers and bolts are the only way to move your control arms.

vxla · **Posted:** Fri May 19, 2006 1:24 pm

it's never going to be perfect. just get a good 1 or 3 yera warranty, and just keep going back over and over until they get it right.

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Fri May 19, 2006 11:17 pm

fisheye,
vxla made a good point. When I got my tires at Firestone down in the Springs, I got a lifetime balance and alignment (on sale $100), but that was knowing that Firestone had stores closer to me, like in Parker. I don't know what they were trying to do...as Ted said, the alignment guy should be adjusting the washers and bolts...the dude in Parker used a laser alignment system (it was totally sweet), and slowly cranked on them. Just find someone that knows how to deal with lifted vehicles and they'll take care of you.

fish eye · **Posted:** Sat May 20, 2006 1:20 am

RespectMyLibertay wrote:

fisheye,
vxla made a good point. When I got my tires at Firestone down in the Springs, I got a lifetime balance and alignment (on sale $100), but that was knowing that Firestone had stores closer to me, like in Parker. I don't know what they were trying to do...as Ted said, the alignment guy should be adjusting the washers and bolts...the dude in Parker used a laser alignment system (it was totally sweet), and slowly cranked on them. Just find someone that knows how to deal with lifted vehicles and they'll take care of you.

I know that the arms are supposed to be moved with the cam bolts. Unfortunately, my alignment was no where near anything that resembled normal. I don't expect it to be perfect, afterall, I changed the geometry of the front suspension. However, it took someone with more experience than some kid making $10/hour. The shop I went to used the same laser alignment system as just about every other shop uses, and took some unconventional methods to get the vehicle as close to how it should have been from the start.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat May 20, 2006 7:43 pm

I finished up my lift yesterday afternoon , started calling around this morning to get the alignment, called 3 places, soon as I said Liberty Lifted the phone went silent, 2 different places said come on down, went and they turned me down. Well one said "looks like you did a body lift, not a suspension lift" so thought that if he was that dumb did not want him trying to align it anyways! Finally ran into a guy that said bring it in Monday no problems, all these NAME BRAND stores are afraid to do anything that is not just the way it came from the factory. Used to have real mechanics, now a days just parts replacers. At least 90 per cent of them are! Better add that so no one gets upset.

Alignment Attempt #2

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