jtparkes

Probably a stupid question, but I couldn't find this discussed anywhere here:

Should I take my car to the Lexus dealer for allignments, or is it ok to use a local tire shop? Or the local Toyota dealer? If I take to a local shop, will I need to provide them with the aligmnet specs? If so, where do I get them?


The nearest Lexus dealer is 3 hours away and they don't have Saturday hours so I have to take a day off work to get anything done there....

Thanks-

Jeff

clark

They gave me a one year alignment for $79. I have been impressed with their alignment. They suggested I bring it back every three months for a free check and adjustment if needed. They gave me a read out of all four wheels before and after. As I had replaced almost everything in my front end to include shocks, all bushings and the rack and pinion, my front wheels were the only ones out of spec and they adjusted them to be within specs. I believe most alignment shops give you a computer readout now. I have found very few shops that offer a one year alignmen since the first large pothole you hit will ruin your alignment.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

I wonder about this too.
I've seen some sloppy jobs at a variety of tire shops and with the multi-link type suspensions, there is a lot that can go wrong. No guarantee the dealer will do it right yet the thought is that they do see enough of these cars so the odds should be better.

I had a car aligned at one shop and it was horrid. After 2 attempts, I took it to another shop and the before/after sheets when compared were different. Having the alignment table calibrated also comes into play.

Bradster

Hunter Co.that makes the alignment equipment used by most (all?) shops.Tell them you want to know who in your area (you give your zip code) has the latest Hunter alignment system..I forget the model # on their latest alignment equipment.I was emailed a list of several local dealers (and others) who had it and went with my local Toyota dealership.Just a thought.

LexLS

I've got two words for you: Tires Plus.

I got new tires there recently, which are great, and so I had them balance the wheels too. They check the alignment for free while they're at it. Of course mine was off (MN winters can be bad) and they called me to ask if I wanted it done. Anyway I talked them down to $50 for the alignment and had them do it. They did a great job! Even with a newer LS I would never go to the dealer for an alignment....just my 2 cents.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

I had the LS in for some other things and I requested a wheel balance and alignment. Cerritos Lexus has the Hunter BTW so it made it a one stop service thing so I thought. A few moments later one of the service writers finds me and tells me they could not get the car on the alignment table because it was to low. (I just think they didn't want the potential hassles of me coming back saying it was "off" or the car drifted and such.)

Took it to a shop that Todd at TM engineering recco'd in Torrance and while the alignment was of older technology...non-pooterized. I must say this is probably the best alignment I have had on any of my cars. Dialed right in to -1.50 camber and +1/16" toe front, -1.25 camber, caster +7.85" and +1/12" toe rear.
Tracks dead on though road crown will cause it to drift. The car drives very nicely.

Unlike some shops, after the tech drove the car, he put it back on the rack to verify the settings did not change. The second round got it. It is a bit of a drive for me, but I'm gonna go back there for future alignments. Price was reasonable too.

Torrance Auto Repair
W. Carson St.
(310) 533-1771
Jeff was Todd's contact.
Kevin wrote me up.

Lexs400

nothing special about a lexus alignment. any shop that can do alignments on a toyota can align your lexus as well.
you dont have to go to the dealer for that.
however shops that have a hunter alignment machines are recommended since these machines are amongst the top in the industry. so just call and find out if the shop has a hunter alignment machine and you can take the car there.

Lexs400

to answer your second question, any shop that has a hunter machine has the specs to your car. you wont have to provide them the data.

lexusondubs

iTrader: (9)

i would never take my car to tires plus yes there cheap but the quality sux he is 2 questions that you need to answer is your car lowered ?? does it have oversized wheels?? if not go to the dealer 79 bux you get quality work and somewone who knows what they are doing ... IMHO

Traturn

Rear suspension components can sieze up on early LS4's, taking it to a dealer would help get the replacement cams/bolts as needed. Plus, they know *how* to adjust the vehicles.

If it was an ES or an RX i'd say yea take it anywhere, camry's and highlanderes abound. But there really isnt a Toyota equivalent that people would be familiar with.

That being said, no dealer in their right mind would offer a 'one year alignment' with free checks/adjustments.

my 2cp