I was quoted a price for computor 4-wheel alignment of $69. That would include setting up on machine and checking and adjusting, if nessisary, steering wheel center, front toe, and rear camber. They pointed out prior to the job that if I needed shims for either front caster and camber or rear toe, that there would be extra charges. Those charges would be determined by parts and hourly labor involved. The total bill when done came to $125. Make sure you ask them if the $69 includes shimming if nessisary. Mine needed shims removed in the front, but the rear was fine as it was.

Jvette73 don't you find this a bit of a rip off. You started with a $69 alignment and shims are extra plus the time to put them in is extra. Just what are you getting for the $69 alignment? Just a readout? The shims for the front are nickle and time stuff. To install or remove takes only a minute. This is part of an alignment.
Sure I can see the back being alot more difficult but yours were fine so for $56 dollars extra they removed or installed a few cheap shims. They have a box of shims and throw shims from other alignments in the box and just route through it to find a shim for you then charge big bucks.

So for $69 they are not doing an alignment they are only checking your existing alignment. Any changes cost extra.
That doesn't make sense.
I still say invest in the tools and do it yourself.

 

norvalwilhelm,

No, I didnt think it was a rip off. The mechanic came recomended by a very trustworthy source and friend of mine. The job was done correct. The first time I took it in they set it up on machine and then found that I had a problem with one of the rear yokes sliding in and out of the rear too much. It turned out to be the yoke snap ring had fallen off. They aborted the alignment and called me to describe the problem and that they could not properly align it in that condition. They were right cause they knew the yoke situation was important to the vette alignment. They didnt charge me a dime for that time invested and sent me home with the car. I eventually fixed the yoke myself which required pulling the diff. I then took it back and they did the alignment. They could have done an alignment, or faked it if you will, took my money and sent me on my way. They were honest and knowledgable and did the right thing. Also its important that when shims are removed, the car needs to be moved off the machine and rolled to settle the suspension before being rechecked. In addition changing the caster and camber can also effect any measurements done on toe. So those things need to be done and sometimes done again. This process may need to be gone over more than once to get it right. One doesnt just get lucky and drop a few shims and wala, its done and correct. Im confident the job was done right and believe it was worth every penny. The did also provide me with the printout of the final readings.

 

The $69 did include some adjustments but not shim work. Since this is the way this shop does things, they described that to me in advance, I signed the work order and was well aware before hand that there could be extra charges. In my opinion this is not a rip off. A rip off would be paying $69 and having a mechanic stop short of a complete and correct job. I suppose some shops do this since they're concern is to collect the $ in the least amount of time so they can get the next car on the rack sooner. Ide much rather pay a few extra bucks to feel confident that the mechanic spent all the time needed to do the job right.

 

To me an alignment means caster camber and toe for the front end . To add or remove shims is part of the alignment and removing/ adding shims is part of the job. Shims can be installed or remove in a few minutes.
So to advertise an alignment for $69 then charge to change caster another $56 doesn't seem right to me.
I had 2 alignments done to my vet before I started doing it myself and caster camber was part of the alignment.
As long as you are happy and got what you wanted you did ok.
Have a nice evening.

 

Having a great evening norval and wishing you the same. Honestly though, its hard for me to imagine a standard price when there is so much that can be different from car to car. Especially when dealing with older cars that can have rusted parts and fasteners and what not. To suggest that a standard price would always fully cover an ever changing posibility, would leave me feeling suspicious at the least. I originally requested a certian mechanic whom I know and trust. He refered me to the other who he said was expert at alignment, and knew how to get the job done correctly in a more reasonable time frame. I paid a little more but can rest its done right.

:cheers: