Four wheel alignment and price
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
Four wheel alignment and price
Took my 1979 in for a wheel alignment today as the steering wheel was off center. Was told the rear was out of alignment and was charged $125 at a local GM dealer.
About 3 years ago but only driven 4000 miles, I had the rear end rebuilt,
all the rear suspension bushings replaced and a four wheel alignment done
by good local shop.
Is it likely that the rear would need realignment again? Was the price
reasonable or too high?
Was expecting a $70 charge as that is the dealer's basic alignment price but the service manager said that a lot more time was spent doing the rear alignment so hence the higher price.
[Modified by mark79,80, 9:42 PM 3/3/2004]
About 3 years ago but only driven 4000 miles, I had the rear end rebuilt,
all the rear suspension bushings replaced and a four wheel alignment done
by good local shop.
Is it likely that the rear would need realignment again? Was the price
reasonable or too high?
Was expecting a $70 charge as that is the dealer's basic alignment price but the service manager said that a lot more time was spent doing the rear alignment so hence the higher price.
[Modified by mark79,80, 9:42 PM 3/3/2004]
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: Four wheel alignment and price (mark79,80)
First, the fee of $125 may not be too out of line. Most shops are 59 for a front and add in the Vette rearend and the price of shims if needed and that might be the going freight.
Could it be out of alignment - sure, if it was not done right the first time around, you hit some nice holes or the adjustment points were not tightened enough. I always have the shop use LockTite on all rear fittings. Ask for a before and after printout and have them show you what they did and how the secured the nuts and bolts etc.
Could it be out of alignment - sure, if it was not done right the first time around, you hit some nice holes or the adjustment points were not tightened enough. I always have the shop use LockTite on all rear fittings. Ask for a before and after printout and have them show you what they did and how the secured the nuts and bolts etc.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,166
Likes: 3,968
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Four wheel alignment and price (mark79,80)
I use a very good shop here in CT that knows vettes. I bring them cars after I have rebuilt the rear suspension so everything moves without a problem. They charge $220 to do a 4 wheel alignment,but it's done correct. There aren't many around that know or want to do old vette rear alignment.
Gary
Gary
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 962
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle PA
Re: Four wheel alignment and price (markdtn)
Last time I had mine done it was $69.95. The shop was old school and the owner didn't believe in those new alignment racks. Can't complain about the work he did either.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Dover Oh
Re: Four wheel alignment and price (70PurpleLS7)
I work at Sears and we charge $89.99 for C3's. Our Sears has a Hunter laser alignment machine that is REALLY nice and does a really good job. I suggest going their.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: Four wheel alignment and price (Vash the Stampede)
Sounds like Sears is a bargain. One thing I throw in ---- ask the tech, have you actually done C3's 4 wheel alignments???? Not just read about it in school or in the alignment rack manual. Makes a difference.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad CA
Re: Four wheel alignment and price (verskel)
I took my car in for an alignment at a pretty reputable shop a few years ago and they weren't able to adjust or loosen one of the bolts in the back end, so they couldn't do it. They didn't charge me, which was nice, but I wound up without an alignment. Come to think of it, I never had it done.
I've got adjustable strut rods, so it wasn't a question of whether or not those could be bent. Anyone have any thoughts on what I need to load up with liquid wrench before I take it in again?
I've got adjustable strut rods, so it wasn't a question of whether or not those could be bent. Anyone have any thoughts on what I need to load up with liquid wrench before I take it in again?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 42,487
Likes: 47
SPARTAN
CI 3-4-5-6-8-9-10 Vet
CI-9 AutoX Winner
CI-3 Go Kart Champ
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Re: Four wheel alignment and price (mark79,80)
$125 for a 4-wheel alignment on a C3 isn't bad at all. I think I paid $140 for a very good shop to set my car up and hit every spec I gave them.
There's a difference between an alignment and a good alignment. Most places that are doing it for a 'bargain' price are just makig sure your car is within tolerance. I don't want "within tolerance", I want the thing to be set to nominal. :yesnod:
I wish my alignment guy here at work actually did alignments for the public. He's the best around.
There's a difference between an alignment and a good alignment. Most places that are doing it for a 'bargain' price are just makig sure your car is within tolerance. I don't want "within tolerance", I want the thing to be set to nominal. :yesnod:
I wish my alignment guy here at work actually did alignments for the public. He's the best around.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Re: Four wheel alignment and price (verskel)
What happened to the $60 alignments back in the late 1990's ?!?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
From: Inside every color vette there is a blue one trying to come out!
Re: Four wheel alignment and price (mark79,80)
For my birthday I was given a lifetime alignment warantee with firestone for my vette. I haven't taken it in yet because of a brake issue that I am working out. I think I will call the area shops & find one that has a mech that knows vettes & get it aligned there. the lifetime package was about $140.
