Alignment question

[SimpleS14]

Ok...I recently install some coilovers on my car and I drove it for three days without an alignment. My steering wheel was straight ahead...but I knew my toe and camber up front was back. SO....I finally go to get an alignment...and MAN.....that shop had me sitting for four hours....they didn't even touch my car until I was there for three hours...and the bay was empty for two of those hours!!! So when they are done...I look at the result sheets...and the guy forgets I have camber plates...so he goes back and fixes it....BUT...my camber is still off so I'm like "wtf?" . I'm too tired from hunger (being there four hours) and just take my car and leave. Once I'm on the road....MY STEERING WHEEL IS TILTED TO THE RIGHT. I'm like "wtf is going on" I want to go back to that shop...but I know they will bitch about my "lowered aftermarket suspension"....plus I would be there for who knows how long.


Anyways....I was wondering what can I do to fix my steering wheel issue?

I know I have more room to play with my camber...so I'm going to check that out. Thank goodness my toe is correct.

[kandyflip445]

It was probably messed up when they adj. the toe. Just take it back and have them fix it. If they didn't do it right the first time it's up to them to get it right.

[96twofourty]

I would take it back and make them fix it. If they dont know how to do it then they should of never accepted to work on your car

[SimpleS14]

Yea I want to do that....but man....I have a strong feeling they will not get it right. I just cringe at the thought of being in that "waiting room" if no water and food for 4+ hours. :/

[kandyflip445]

And if you're worried about food and water go get some from the store before you go. lol

[SilviaSativa]

Damn shitty shop.

Hah I do better four-wheel alignments in class all baked out of my mind.
They didnt check steering wheel position before adjusting toe.

[SimpleS14]

yea...I'm guessing they didn't check the steering wheel position. Also my steering response is very quick (IMO) and my steering always wants to go straight...so when your turning it and barely let go it wants to go straight....BAH...hard to explain.

kandyflip445 - I did eat something before going there....but man....it must have been 4-5 hours before I ate anything else....freaking drove me crazy. lol

[mellojoe]

Sucks, man.

The place I've been going to is OK. Not specatular. I really don't want to go back.

But, the good news is that I'm in and out in NO TIME! Last time I went I just pulled right into the bay. I was out of there in 30 minutes flat.

[papershot]

i got an alignment before, and like two days later the toe in the rear was wayyyy out. i went back to the shop and they fixed it for free.

if it was me and i just had the alignment and the steering wheel wasn't straight, i'd take it back right then for a refund/redo (after a trip to some fastfood place).

[kandyflip445]

I'm talking about grabbin a bag of chips and something to drink for when they take a long time. lol

[XxJaPxOxNeEs23xX]

Originally Posted by 95KoukiS14

yea...I'm guessing they didn't check the steering wheel position. Also my steering response is very quick (IMO) and my steering always wants to go straight...so when your turning it and barely let go it wants to go straight....BAH...hard to explain.

kandyflip445 - I did eat something before going there....but man....it must have been 4-5 hours before I ate anything else....freaking drove me crazy. lol

thats good u want the steering to go strait, the casters degree is pretty high then. mines set at 7 degrees. but the steering wheel not being strait , you should have them fix it. but if they do a crappy job nd just take the steering wheel off nd move it to the center, it will mess up ur left and right turning radius, so make sure. and they cant complain about aligning it just cuz its low, u have camber plates, you should be able to adjust it to wereever u want. there stupid if they cant do your camber right. also if the steering wheel is off like that, make sure your thrust angle isnt too far off, other wise ur car will be crooked while you drive straight.

[wootwoot]

you diddnt pay for that alignment did you? if its a chain store tell them you either want your money back, or you want the alignment done at a different shop with someone who is competent. how alignment racks are now it is honestly ridiculously easy to do one. all you really need to know is how to set the machine up, beside that for most cars i could set any of you loose on it and you'd be able to do it. might take a little bit longer than me but it'd still be done and good.

[wootwoot]

also....why the hell are you waiting there at the shop??? drop your car off and go get it later; or make an appointment. dont expect walkin's to get done immediately even if the shop does seem slow because chances are it really isnt.

[Dousan_PG]

find a better shop

[stuntman240]

I use to work at a chain tire store that would do alignments and such. Nothing would light a fire under the managers ass like asking for the district managers or corporate office phone number. The other thing I would reccomend is to stay calm dont start swearing and being vulgar. But do threaten fromt he start to call DM or Corp. That should light there ass on fire a touch. I also dont think its out of the question to ask for a refund, and that they pay for another shop to do the work.

[Jeff240sx]

Originally Posted by 95KoukiS14

I just cringe at the thought of being in that "waiting room" if no water and food for 4+ hours. :/

If you HAVE to wait there, pack a lunch. Bring some magazines, and get comfortable. Buy an inflatable ottoman, and let them know that you're a trooper, who has no issues with waiting as long as it takes to get it right. Tell them you have a tent in the trunk incase you've gotta pull an all-nighter. And that you can do this as long as they can.
Once they see you for the crazy fuck you are, they'll get your stuff done NOW, and throw you the hell out of there.
-Jeff

[stuntman240]

Or bring 3-4 little kids and let them run rampent around the store throwing stuff etc. That always got us to work on cars a touch faster.

[ghostuss]

Originally Posted by Jeff240sx

If you HAVE to wait there, pack a lunch. Bring some magazines, and get comfortable. Buy an inflatable ottoman, and let them know that you're a trooper, who has no issues with waiting as long as it takes to get it right. Tell them you have a tent in the trunk incase you've gotta pull an all-nighter. And that you can do this as long as they can.
Once they see you for the crazy fuck you are, they'll get your stuff done NOW, and throw you the hell out of there.
-Jeff

omg i just can't stop laughing.

Edit: also you should try to get alone with the ppl that works on your car. Suck up to them so that they will spend the extra effort on ur car.

[KA24DESOneThree]

I've noticed that alignment shops suck. (Except that one up in LA that everyone loves... but that isn't close, so screw it.) The last time I went for an alignment, I gave them two hours and came back. They hadn't even thought about aligning my car, much less moving it. I told 'em I had to take my bro home, took the car, and didn't come back.

That's the reason I haven't had an alignment even though I've installed coilovers and aftermarket tension rods.

[NI_YON_Zenki]

Where was this shop located, I haven't come across any public service tire shop that will align a lowered car, at all. maybe it's me. . . . .

[XxJaPxOxNeEs23xX]

hey wers that place in LA. every alignment shop i go to they mess up, telling me they cant align it, even tho everything i have on there is adjustable. right now its ok cuz i have an alignment shop at school. but i need somwere to align my car after i get out of the class too.

[S14DB]

Originally Posted by NI_YON_Zenki

Where was this shop located, I haven't come across any public service tire shop that will align a lowered car, at all. maybe it's me. . . . .

You just don't tell them.

[Teerawood]

What store did you go to?

[SimpleS14]

lol @ jeff

Originally Posted by Teerawood

What store did you go to?

Merchant's Tire


As for why I waited.....I was greatly mislead into thinking it would take less than an hour. Last time I went there everything went smooth..so I was assuming it would be the same case. But then again...the person that worked on my car last time was cool as hell and I've met him outside of the shop (owns a Z32...met him at a 240SX BBQ). I could not drop off my car because I have no ride to go home or come back. I live too far away from any friends, mom has no car and dad's at work. haha. but yea...I'm going back tommorrow to get it fixed.

[Inland180]

Try taking it back.. if its no use then find a better shop. Those shops shouldnt be in business or should be trying to find better mechanics!

[mellojoe]

Never be afraid to tip the guy. I sometimes wander out there and say "Thanks" and slip the guy a $20 (or a $10 or whatever your budget allows). Do this BEFORE they start to work on your car.

"Hey, just wanted to thank you for taking the time to work on my car. I know you guys do good work, and this car is a special project for me. I know you'll take care of it."