Car alignment: Ok to take to any garage?
06-04-15, 10:08 AM
#1
Car alignment: Ok to take to any garage?
2008 Lexus IS250. Bone stock suspension
After driving some rough gravel road car is now slightly drifting to the right. Not too bad but want to get it aligned sooner than later.
Here are some quotes I got:
Lexus dealership: $150
Toyota dealership: $80
Local garage: $60
Brakes Plus chains: Probably around $60 (didn't call)
So any thoughts? I'm guessing at these places you'll be getting the least experienced person working on the car. At least at the local garage it will probably be the owner working on it
Is there anything special on alignments with these cars?
After driving some rough gravel road car is now slightly drifting to the right. Not too bad but want to get it aligned sooner than later.
Here are some quotes I got:
Lexus dealership: $150
Toyota dealership: $80
Local garage: $60
Brakes Plus chains: Probably around $60 (didn't call)
So any thoughts? I'm guessing at these places you'll be getting the least experienced person working on the car. At least at the local garage it will probably be the owner working on it
Is there anything special on alignments with these cars?
06-04-15, 10:38 AM
#2
Lead Lap
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Some of the chains offer a Premium Lifetime Alignment for more money. If you think you'll keep the car for X number of years, I think it's worth considering. You can can then include alignment checks as part of your future service schedule at no extra cost. Firestone offers it with free biannual alignments.
06-04-15, 10:54 AM
#3
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Just because your car is drifting that doesn't mean it's your alignment. Tire pressure/wear plays a huge role as well. If you have the money, go to the Lexus dealer. Your car has completely stock suspension so you don't have to worry about taking it to a specialty shop with a certain rack to perform the alignment. Alignments are alignments, if the numbers come out in the green at the end of the day and your car drives straight, it's good.. doesn't matter if it's a monkey doing it or someone who's been doing it for a decade.
06-04-15, 11:46 AM
#5
Just because your car is drifting that doesn't mean it's your alignment. Tire pressure/wear plays a huge role as well. If you have the money, go to the Lexus dealer. Your car has completely stock suspension so you don't have to worry about taking it to a specialty shop with a certain rack to perform the alignment. Alignments are alignments, if the numbers come out in the green at the end of the day and your car drives straight, it's good.. doesn't matter if it's a monkey doing it or someone who's been doing it for a decade.
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06-04-15, 05:50 PM
#8
As 07 is250 stated, check tires. If you didn't hit anything hard I doubt it's your alignment. Or your alignment was already off. I don't get it, I've hit pot holes and my ***** is still rollin good. I've got coils and I'm pretty low sitting on 19's.
Now let's talk shop. You can do a half a$$ job NO MATTER WHO you decide to take it to, Dealer or not. Go to someone you know or a referral. Yup that area for shops. I'm personally close to a mechanic and he charged me, like $45, for my alignment. You're stock car is not the issue because it's a simple task for anyone with the equipment. I know people doing the old school way, string and all, that's just as accurate for the more difficult vehicles ie lifted trucks or lowriders.
Now let's talk shop. You can do a half a$$ job NO MATTER WHO you decide to take it to, Dealer or not. Go to someone you know or a referral. Yup that area for shops. I'm personally close to a mechanic and he charged me, like $45, for my alignment. You're stock car is not the issue because it's a simple task for anyone with the equipment. I know people doing the old school way, string and all, that's just as accurate for the more difficult vehicles ie lifted trucks or lowriders.
Last edited by srt1; 06-04-15 at 05:51 PM. Reason: spell check lol
06-04-15, 08:24 PM
#10
The hunter is nice BUT some people really may not know the full potential of the equipment. That being said not everyone knows how to properly use the tools they're working with. It's simple, tow, camber & caster. Assuming all of the other suspension parts are in fact good. My camber needs adjusting, I hate my tires wearing out on the inside.
06-04-15, 10:30 PM
#11
Lexus Champion
The hunter is nice BUT some people really may not know the full potential of the equipment. That being said not everyone knows how to properly use the tools they're working with. It's simple, tow, camber & caster. Assuming all of the other suspension parts are in fact good. My camber needs adjusting, I hate my tires wearing out on the inside.
06-06-15, 09:30 AM
#15
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Good reminder that technology is very different from years ago! Would you say that with frameless cars, the chance of misalignment from body twisting is a good reason to sign up for the unlimited alignments that some chains offer? Then getting it checked annually for "free".