Getting an Alignment

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 17, 2010 | 01:54 PM
  #1  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default Getting an Alignment

Where are you guys going to get an alignment? I've gone to Meineke, Midas, NTB, you name it and no one seems to be able to do an alignment properly for whatever reason.

Meineke said my wheels were too big (275/40/17's?).

NTB and Midas wouldn't do it because my car is lowered and their rack was too high.

There's a repair center in Conroe I went to called DriverFX (I think) and they tried, but they could only get it it corrected to 1.5 degrees camber, which they assured me wouldn't wear the tires. Apparently my Y-pipe was in the way. I paid them $95 and it still pulls to the right and shakes at highway speed.

Where are you guys going?
Reply
Old May 17, 2010 | 02:04 PM
  #2  
ls1jorge's Avatar
TECH Regular
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 478
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, TX
Default

I'm going to get mines. @ firestone in San Antonio $80 with lifetime warrenty!
Reply
Old May 17, 2010 | 02:22 PM
  #3  
bill12690's Avatar
TECH Resident
15 Year Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 2
Default

i've heard it should pull slightly to the right, but an auto x alignment is straight. no idea how true that is
Reply
Old May 17, 2010 | 02:23 PM
  #4  
cabolew's Avatar
Teching In
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: League City, TEXAS
Default

Had mine done at Champion Chevy on Gulf Freeway after G-force did the bmr springs and SLP shocks.
Reply
Old May 17, 2010 | 03:13 PM
  #5  
FloydSummerOf68's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
From: Missouri City
Default

Cabolew, what were you charged for the BMRspring/SLPshock labor?

I have a set laying around and have been deciding if I want to spend a few hours doing it or pay to have it done.

If you could PM me the cost that would be great
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 06:56 AM
  #6  
xtc4us's Avatar
Teching In
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands, TX
Default

Z's Auto and Muffler....know they are not a sponsor here, but if you just google seach them in Houston. All their locations come up. They are Viper and Z06 owners so they take extra care of the speed rides.
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 07:50 AM
  #7  
cambirdracing's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 2
From: League City Texas
Default

Benson's in Webster. Been there for a very long time and do a great job. Alignments is all they did for about 40 years.
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 08:04 AM
  #8  
THE SHOP's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Default

Your sure there are no other issues? Did they check all your front end components, vibration sounds like something else.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 18, 2010 | 08:30 AM
  #9  
ElkySS's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,149
Likes: 31
From: Houston Tx
Default

alignment problems will not cause a vibration. idk why everyone thinks it will.
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 09:53 AM
  #10  
THE SHOP's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by ElkySS
alignment problems will not cause a vibration. idk why everyone thinks it will.
exactly
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 10:14 AM
  #11  
ElkySS's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,149
Likes: 31
From: Houston Tx
Default

im on my phone so i cant see ur location. if ur close to just south of 610, pm me. i could take a swing at it
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 10:18 AM
  #12  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

Originally Posted by ElkySS
alignment problems will not cause a vibration. idk why everyone thinks it will.
Well, in my case, it's because I was told time and time again, by several different rapair shops, that an improper alignment may cause vibration in the steering wheel at highway speeds. That's exactly what I'm getting, as well as the car wants to drift to the right if I don't have my hands on the wheel.

I've heard other reasons, such as a bent rim, imbalanced wheel, irregularly worn tires, all of which have been addressed, and all of which failed to fix the problem. This is actually the last thing to be checked/corrected because I already paid a shop to align the wheels when I put the Eibach kit on several years ago, so it wasn't considered as a possible cause.

When I finally get this aligned correctly, I'll let you know if it fixed it or not.
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 10:25 AM
  #13  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

Originally Posted by THE SHOP
Your sure there are no other issues? Did they check all your front end components, vibration sounds like something else.
Yes, as far as the front suspension goes, everything has been inspected and deemed okay, except for the alignment. This is literally the only thing that hasn't been addressed yet.
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 10:27 AM
  #14  
THE SHOP's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by KCS
Yes, as far as the front suspension goes, everything has been inspected and deemed okay, except for the alignment. This is literally the only thing that hasn't been addressed yet.

Alignment will NOT cause vibration issues it could tear up your tires and cause them to vibrate thats it.
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 10:36 AM
  #15  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

Originally Posted by THE SHOP
Alignment will NOT cause vibration issues it could tear up your tires and cause them to vibrate thats it.
Then what causes the vibration?

Bent wheels? Just got a brand new set of wheels, not bent.

Wheels out of balance? Just had the wheels balanced when they went on the car, and again just a month ago.

Unevenly worn tires? New tires went on with new wheels.

Bent front suspension components? Two different shops have inspected the front suspension and have yet to find a problem.

Seriously, if there is something I've overlooked, help me out. I feel like I've exhausted every option suggested to me, and would certainly be willing to take more.

Regardless, the car still needs an alignment.
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 10:37 AM
  #16  
cambirdracing's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 2
From: League City Texas
Default

Bad shocks (sometimes new ones can be bad), bent axle, bad wheel bearings, the list goes on.
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 10:40 AM
  #17  
Atomic's Avatar
I need a gauge for that
iTrader: (37)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,921
Likes: 3
From: Huntsville, AL
Default

Best aligment ive ever had was from a small one or two man shop in a small town, and only cost $35. If you think trying to find shops to align your car is tough, try driving a lifted truck
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 10:53 AM
  #18  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

Originally Posted by ElkySS
im on my phone so i cant see ur location. if ur close to just south of 610, pm me. i could take a swing at it
Thanks, I appreciate the offer, but I'm on the Northside in The Woodlands area.
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 10:58 AM
  #19  
TXMaro's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Baytown, TX
Default

Have the wheel bearings checked.. I see that's not on your list.
Reply
Old May 18, 2010 | 11:07 AM
  #20  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

Originally Posted by TXMaro
Have the wheel bearings checked.. I see that's not on your list.
I can't say for sure, but I suspect that was a check when the front suspension was inspected. They knew the symptoms, so if that is a popular cause, I would think it was checked. The only thing they found was that the alignment was off considerably.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:17 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE