....it's the price he's quoting thats got my goat....that's more than for the pair of the rear tires!
Do I need a 4 wheel alignment?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 186
Likes: 2
From: Palos Park Illinois
Do I need a 4 wheel alignment?
Going to take advantage of Hankook's $50 rebate (today's last day) and get some Ventus V12 Evos. In the past I always got a 4 wheel alignment every time I've purchased tires for my other cars to facilitate getting the most out of the tires, but after talking to some friends they never have and don't think it's necessary. My vette is a 10 year old 2001 coupe with 45000 miles and the original run flats and shows no sign of needing an alignment. I don't race but do spirited driving. The local performance shop wants $275 for a 4 wheel alignment because it's a "4 hour job" and b/c they actually do all 4 wheels whereas other shops, according to him, charge much less b/c they only do 2.......Any thoughts? Thanks
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 391
Likes: 9
From: Wake Forest NC
If you don't see any odd wear patterns, I'd put on the new tires and drive away. However, it never hurts to have the alignment checked.
As for a 4 hr alignment job, run from that shop. With modern alignment equipment and their use of lasers, IMO an alignment shouldn't take more than an hour. Mine didn't when I noticed some inside tire wear due to the Z06 factory neg. camber setting. Had them stand the front's up .5* and set the rears tracking. Hopefully the new tires will wear better.
Cheers....
As for a 4 hr alignment job, run from that shop. With modern alignment equipment and their use of lasers, IMO an alignment shouldn't take more than an hour. Mine didn't when I noticed some inside tire wear due to the Z06 factory neg. camber setting. Had them stand the front's up .5* and set the rears tracking. Hopefully the new tires will wear better.
Cheers....
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Pennsylvania
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Wheel alinement
I get my wheels alignment done every two years, (But I only drive about 1500 miles a year. If I drove more than that, I'd have it done every year. I still have the Goodyear Runflats which cost $500.00 apiece for the front tires and $600.00 for each rear tires and when you consider the Pi*& Poor condition of our roads in this country and the low cost of a 4 wheel alignment, For me it cost $89.00 and takes about 45 minutes.
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Why would you NOT get a front end alignment? Just to save $100 or so?
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 300
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From: rochester new york
$$$275$$$
Your mechanic see's ...Corvette = $$$$
that figure is outrageous ...
if someone can't align your car in an hour, they shouldn't be in that business
$1OO tops
and,
I'm being very generous with that hour ..
prolly talkin' 15 2O minutes here, unless your car was recently wrecked ...
Your mechanic see's ...Corvette = $$$$
that figure is outrageous ...
if someone can't align your car in an hour, they shouldn't be in that business
$1OO tops
and,
I'm being very generous with that hour ..
prolly talkin' 15 2O minutes here, unless your car was recently wrecked ...
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I get my wheels alignment done every two years, (But I only drive about 1500 miles a year. If I drove more than that, I'd have it done every year. I still have the Goodyear Runflats which cost $500.00 apiece for the front tires and $600.00 for each rear tires and when you consider the Pi*& Poor condition of our roads in this country and the low cost of a 4 wheel alignment, For me it cost $89.00 and takes about 45 minutes.
I align mine every 100k miles whether it needs it or not
If your parts aren't broken or worn out , it should not change
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An alignment is not a bad idea, but that shop wants way too much. Shouldn't cost more than about $100 to do the job.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Way too high! You are driving a Chevy...take it to a Chevy dealer and get it aligned on modern equipment for around $100. I got a Z06 alignment last time and it feels great.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Chicago-NW Burbs Illinois
This is pretty much the place most of the members in the Great Lakes section use. They have a great reputation. You could even do a search on all the threads about them. http://www.addisonwheelalignment.com/
Late Model Domestics
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,548
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From: Virginia Beach VA
I paid $130 for the firestone lifetime alignment. The shop I go to has the newest Hunter equipment. I get my car aligned every 6 months.
Thats right $130 and you get as many alignments as you want for the life of your vehicle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Run from that shop!!!
Mario
Thats right $130 and you get as many alignments as you want for the life of your vehicle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Run from that shop!!!
Mario
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
I paid $130 for the firestone lifetime alignment. The shop I go to has the newest Hunter equipment. I get my car aligned every 6 months.
Thats right $130 and you get as many alignments as you want for the life of your vehicle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Run from that shop!!!
Mario
Thats right $130 and you get as many alignments as you want for the life of your vehicle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Run from that shop!!!
Mario
found one in Ann Arbor...signed up for online coupons....hope it is still $130...I paid $110 at the dealer last year.
Last edited by $$$frumnuttin'; Jul 1, 2010 at 03:01 PM.
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I paid $130 for the firestone lifetime alignment. The shop I go to has the newest Hunter equipment. I get my car aligned every 6 months.
Thats right $130 and you get as many alignments as you want for the life of your vehicle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Run from that shop!!!
Mario
Thats right $130 and you get as many alignments as you want for the life of your vehicle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Run from that shop!!!
Mario
I had an alignment when I switched to my ACE Slicks and new Yokohama tires. I also readjusted a lowering whereas I raised it slightly to deal with the crappy roads I was driving on.
I will probably seek out a Firestone shop to confirm if this deal is good here in Florida next time I change my tires.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 186
Likes: 2
From: Palos Park Illinois
I paid $130 for the firestone lifetime alignment. The shop I go to has the newest Hunter equipment. I get my car aligned every 6 months.
Thats right $130 and you get as many alignments as you want for the life of your vehicle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Run from that shop!!!
Mario
Thats right $130 and you get as many alignments as you want for the life of your vehicle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Run from that shop!!!
Mario
I like Mario's deal with free lifetime alignments......didn't think to ask Addison about that but will after getting tires mounted....
Late Model Domestics
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,548
Likes: 46
From: Virginia Beach VA
I even bring in my own specs and the Tech got it as close as possible.
Its worth buying even if you don't plan on doing frequent alignments since most places charge around $100 for a 4 wheel.
Mario
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
I go to a very old alignment shop, the grandfather started fixing wheels and suspensions systems in 1926, and the shop has moved over the years and they use a start of the art laser alignment rack. I've been going to them for 25 years now and they have worked on almost every Corvette I've owned. In fact they've done so many cars and trucks, if they can't fix it, you might as well think about getting another vehicle. And even today, they do my 2003 coupe in about 45 minutes and it costs, $85.00
