Is there a difference between an allignment done by FIRESTONE and one that is done by a "SPECIALIST" tuner garage?

 

the difference is by the tech, not the shop.

 

I see, so there is pretty much no difference between shops...

 

Doesn't Firestone do a good job? They offer a lifetime alignment where you can go in to any Firestone shop to have your alignment done every 6,000 miles. This might be a good thing due to not being able to rotate the tires on the coupe.

 

Remember an alignment is a specific amount of dialed in misalignment to correct for bushing deflection under speed. OEM brand new specs are wrong after mileage degrades rubber bushings.

A trick to determine competence is to ask about the camber changes from your weight in the drivers seat. Usually the camber on the drivers side increases more negative 0.8 degrees per inch of spring compression from drivers weight. The average wheel/spring rate for a car ~~ 250-300 [front +rear] so a 275 pound driver would drop drivers side by ~~ 1/2" netting a 0.4 degree more negative left camber.

I always put my weight equivalent [170 lbs] in floor board/seat to set camber correctly since most of my driving is solo.

Always set every parameter at the MIDPOINT of oem spec range!


Most places give a quick and dirty in range alignment not taking hours to get perfection because you won't pay for it!

 

Something else I have wondered about. How often do they calibrate the machine? I have a Firestone that I know NEVER gets it right. The Tech has YEARS of experiance, but it just seems that it's just off a bit.

 

that's something you need to ask the shop.

 

How do you know if that Firestone has the correct settings for your alignment? Maybe they're using the alignment specs for a Q45 or G20.

 

take it to Discount Tire Centers...we do a good job and have one of the best laser alignment machines...

 

hey which discount tire center do yo work at? city of glendale?

 

Isn't this also called American Tire Center? I thought they didn't do alignment, only balancing?

 

my firestone has the hunter dsp alignment machine...bought the lifetime alignment and go back every 3 months

 

No no...there is always much confusion about that. In LA and OC counties, the Discount Tire Co. is called America's tire b/c we (Discount Tire Centers) have the rights to that name. In the San Diego area, we are called Evans Tires b/c Discount Tire Co. has the rights to the name there.

My dad is the owner but the one in Glendale is a Franchise location. I work at the one in Hollywood on Sunset between Vine n Gower. Got a really good tech there who does my alignments all the time. Also have a great tech at a West L.A location on Supelveda. if you guys are interested, ill hook you up...let me know