BS detector help plz
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
BS detector help plz
My car's about done with extensive collision repair, and the dealer had one last item on his list before transporting back to body shop for final assembly and detailing: 4-wheel alignment.
Service advisor just called me and said his tech won't do the alignment unless the nose is on.
No frame or structural work remains to be done, body shop just didn't put on the new nose before it would be on and off a roll-back to transport to/from the dealer, purportedly to avoid scratching newly painted nose.
Anyhow, I can't imagine that a proper alignment depends on using bodywork as any kind of reference point, but he insisted it now needs to go back to the body shop for final assembly before they'll do the alignment.
Anyone able to help me understand this? I'm
, more than a little 
and so damned sick of delays and rental car expense I could scream. (accident was August 27!!!) 
Service advisor just called me and said his tech won't do the alignment unless the nose is on.
No frame or structural work remains to be done, body shop just didn't put on the new nose before it would be on and off a roll-back to transport to/from the dealer, purportedly to avoid scratching newly painted nose.
Anyhow, I can't imagine that a proper alignment depends on using bodywork as any kind of reference point, but he insisted it now needs to go back to the body shop for final assembly before they'll do the alignment.
Anyone able to help me understand this? I'm
, more than a little and so damned sick of delays and rental car expense I could scream. (accident was August 27!!!)
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 657
Likes: 1
From: michigan
Originally Posted by JiminFL
My car's about done with extensive collision repair, and the dealer had one last item on his list before transporting back to body shop for final assembly and detailing: 4-wheel alignment.
Service advisor just called me and said his tech won't do the alignment unless the nose is on.
No frame or structural work remains to be done, body shop just didn't put on the new nose before it would be on and off a roll-back to transport to/from the dealer, purportedly to avoid scratching newly painted nose.
Anyhow, I can't imagine that a proper alignment depends on using bodywork as any kind of reference point, but he insisted it now needs to go back to the body shop for final assembly before they'll do the alignment.
Anyone able to help me understand this? I'm, more than a little and so damned sick of delays and rental car expense I could scream. (accident was August 27!!!)
Service advisor just called me and said his tech won't do the alignment unless the nose is on.
No frame or structural work remains to be done, body shop just didn't put on the new nose before it would be on and off a roll-back to transport to/from the dealer, purportedly to avoid scratching newly painted nose.
Anyhow, I can't imagine that a proper alignment depends on using bodywork as any kind of reference point, but he insisted it now needs to go back to the body shop for final assembly before they'll do the alignment.
Anyone able to help me understand this? I'm
, more than a little and so damned sick of delays and rental car expense I could scream. (accident was August 27!!!) 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,179
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
Originally Posted by chriskaw7r
He is probably concerned about the weight that is missing by the nose clip not being installed. Albeight its not much but if its screwed up its his a@@.
-=rick
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill Ca.
Do you have that warm feeling in your pants, cause they are blowing a nice warm smoke puff right up your 
While one could make the case for weight, in the case of a street alignment the plus and minus tolerances of most machines won't pick up the difference of the front clip weight!
Now if you were getting a precision race setup on one of those new precision laser machines (can't remember the name) and were at NASCAR specs than the point might be made, but then again, you would have a bump steer alignment and a couple hundred of dollars in just the alignment. Then I would want it spot on!
Just tell them to quit Frogging around and get the car done.
I would request a service review where you sit down with the service manager and go over the past and they give you a plan and commit date to get the car back.
While one could make the case for weight, in the case of a street alignment the plus and minus tolerances of most machines won't pick up the difference of the front clip weight!
Now if you were getting a precision race setup on one of those new precision laser machines (can't remember the name) and were at NASCAR specs than the point might be made, but then again, you would have a bump steer alignment and a couple hundred of dollars in just the alignment. Then I would want it spot on!
Just tell them to quit Frogging around and get the car done.
I would request a service review where you sit down with the service manager and go over the past and they give you a plan and commit date to get the car back.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Originally Posted by VetteTech81
I agree... Another reason he probably will not drive it without the nose on it to check the alignment when he is finished..
-=rick
-=rick
I've been getting all along. 
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
Originally Posted by reelmcoy
At the body shop I work at a car doesn't get an alignment until fully assembled. A Vette bumper isn't that heavy but a bumper on a SUV can make a difference.
While fixing my car, when the car came off the frame machine it went right on the alignment machine before any other work was done. I wanted to make sure everything was square and that the car align correctly before doing any other work. After the car is complete I will drive it a little to make sure everything settles out, recheck the ride height, and then I will put it back on the alignment machine and set it to exact specs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Car should be fully assembled for the test drive to make sure alignment is good. Can be fine on the machine but still have a slight pull as the factory specs are +/-. Let them fully assemble car first and then have the 4 wheel alignment done.
Bolt on body panels aren't needed for the alignment setup as already stated.
IMO, any alignment guy worth a hoot will test drive it after major surgery to verify you'll be happy the first time on the road with it. Imagine how pissed you would be to have to bring the car back after your test drive because it isn't quite right? Be patient.
Bolt on body panels aren't needed for the alignment setup as already stated.
IMO, any alignment guy worth a hoot will test drive it after major surgery to verify you'll be happy the first time on the road with it. Imagine how pissed you would be to have to bring the car back after your test drive because it isn't quite right? Be patient.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Thanks for all the feedback. I spoke to both the body shop and dealer again, and it will be fully assembled, detailed, and ready for my final walkaround, and then will go to the dealer for the alignment and driveability test as the very last item, which I'm okay with since it will likely not cost me another day of rental. If all goes as planned (and nothing has yet!), I'll have it back tomorrow afternoon.
I can understand the alignment tech wanting to be sure the car doesn't come back after final assembly because of the weight of the seat, carpet, and nose going in/on.
Most of my anger and frustration comes from the fact that this wreck that was not my fault, and the body shop that let my car sit for over a week more than once without being touched have cost me upwards of $2000 in rental fees I can't expect to recover, all while still paying my vette lease and ins., of course.
I can understand the alignment tech wanting to be sure the car doesn't come back after final assembly because of the weight of the seat, carpet, and nose going in/on.
Most of my anger and frustration comes from the fact that this wreck that was not my fault, and the body shop that let my car sit for over a week more than once without being touched have cost me upwards of $2000 in rental fees I can't expect to recover, all while still paying my vette lease and ins., of course.
