So I just got an alignment done after putting my new suspension in. I'm planning on getting some new rims, probably just 16s. Will I have to get ANOTHER alignment done? I don't wanna drop another $100.
No, only when you remove suspension components, mainly the brake knuckle to strut bolts that control camber do you need to get another alignment. Also, $100 is too much to pay for an alignment.
So even going from my current 15s to some 16s, I won't need an alignment? Phew! Yeah, it was $107 total from GTE, but that's because I bought some of that delicious salsa they sell. Oh man. Wow.
$100 to have somebody who has been aligning race cars, drift cars, bentlys and pretty much every performance car under the sun for the last 15 years? Anybody put a car on a rack, but knowledge and experience is not something you can buy for a low down dirty price.
+1 My car is going to GTE the next time I need tires or an alignment. Money is worth the peace of mind. And for the record, it isn't 100% profit after the machine is payed off. You have to pay a guy to stand there, not to mention every business has some form of overhead they have to pay for (meaning you have to pay for)Things like copy paper, computers, utilities, the next alignment machine, ect, ect, ect.) and it adds up fast. Other people can do alignments a lot cheaper if it is a LOW PAID employee. If you want someone with experience and knowhow tinkering with your car, you have to pay a premium. I can definitely understand if you think $100 is a rip off, but there are plenty of people out there who don't.
have you heard of Americas Best? $59.99 and that guy aligns Ferrari's, Porsche's, and just about every other high-end car.. So i have no problem bringing my car to a guy that aligns all cars including high-end for a non-premium price
Nope never heard of them! I'm just alittle defensive when it comes to people saying GTE is a rip off. As I said anybody can align cars, but getting the feedback, knowledge and experience are things the alignment rack cannot give you.
Nothing wrong with GTE, im just stating my personal opinion.. Im in no way an expert when it comes to alignments, so I will go where the price and reputation are good.. Just saying "I think" $100 is a rip doesn't mean it is to you..
GTE seems to be the only place I go that actually does a good job on the alignment, everywhere else has some excuse why they can't get it exactly right. GTE will be the only place to touch the tires and wheels on my car from now on.
The reason I said it was too much is because for a few extra bucks Siegel will corner balance the car. It doesn't seem like an alignment and corner balance should cost anywhere near the same amount. Its especially hard to fathom that cost when alignments can easily slip if the car is put under enough load. Not to mention there are a lot of good alignment shops in this area that will do a custom alignment for $60 on all corners. Most places will let you hang out in the garage and make sure the numbers are all to your spec. From what I have heard GTE is the only local place that provides custom alignments. GTE is a great shop from what I have heard, but its also about the only good option. For the price of two alignments, you can buy your own alignment tool and get camber, caster, and toe for free for the rest of your life! http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/product/1709/Fastrax_Gauges There is also an adapter for toe which is only like $60 more.
I was happy with GTE's work and I didn't mind paying a premium price for what they did. I just didn't want to do it in such quick succession - twice in a month. Woo.
You might need an align if you are changing rim size.It can affect toe a little if you are not running zero toe.
I am not getting that one. Can you explain? All alignment is in the suspension components not in the wheels. I am sure if you add wider wheels, it may cause more drag at higher speeds thus giving you more toe out, which could be compensated for by adding a little toe in. The only problem with that is, he is only changing rim diameter not width. Even so, I would imagine the difference in toe is negligible unless you are going from like a 215 to like a 255 or something.
since you are measuring toe off of the wheels and not at the suspension then if the rims are bigger and the car is toed in or out then they(the edges of the rims) are closer together.It may not be enough to measure but I am too fussy about car stuff.I thought he was going from 16 to 17 inch??width should not matter.most sensors measure at the wheel.
I thought there was a guy who worked at a place in Marietta and did custom alignments. I could be wrong but I thought he did Keegan and Jason and other's cars for cheap.
I haven't found out where he works in Alpharetta, but he's who I want doing my next one. Just to keep it in the family. Also GTE adjusted my camber so that when I make a sharp turn left my tire rubs against my fender well :|
If you have problems with your GTE alignment call them up. I can't say for sure but usually if you are not satisfied with something they will make it right. I had my alignment slip on my STi (stock) after 6 months and they aligned it for free again because they claimed it shouldn't have slipped. It's a level of commitment that you don't see anymore. Again i'm just speaking from past experiences with them. Also you do realize that there is a possibility that your new rims do not fit your car properly?
Let me know when you need me to re-check it, and it won't be a problem. Thanks for coming to see us and we look forward to helping in the future.