Firestone alignment

[Snackie]

Hello all.....

Took my car into Firestone because my car was pulling to the left. I purchased the lifetime alignment.

Took the car back this morning because the car was still pulling to the left.

Took it in to see if the can correct it and get my caster as close to +2 and as even as possible. This is when they informed me that the right eccentric bolt was just spinning in the adjuster and there was nothing they could do about it. Any help in what I need to do to get this corrected? Would this fall under extended warranty? Take it to the dealership? Could they have damaged the bolt?

Todays spec sheet has the 2.4 caster on the right front.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Mvrocky]

I also brought a life time alignment from Firestone and it is a waste !!
They told me my camber bolts were factory defective because they couldn't adjust it. So I took it to the dealership and they laughed at me and gave me a free alignment.
I went back to Firestone and showed them the print out from the dealership and the manager said " guess there better then us" do what a refund ?
A tech pulled me aside and said if it takes more than 20 mins to do an alignment . We are took just give it back with toe only !

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[Swipter]

I also brought a life time alignment from Firestone and it is a waste !!
They told me my camber bolts were factory defective because they couldn't adjust it. So I took it to the dealership and they laughed at me and gave me a free alignment.
I went back to Firestone and showed them the print out from the dealership and the manager said " guess there better then us" do what a refund ?
A tech pulled me aside and said if it takes more than 20 mins to do an alignment . We are took just give it back with toe only !
I
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Wow, I hope they never have issues removing an oil filter.

 

[Hans Moleman]

From what I understand the toe doesn't affect which way your steering pulls. But it does affect if your steering wheel looks centered or not when going straight.

Left / Right pull is affect by camber and caster. The vehicle will pull to the side of least positive caster. So going by your alignment specs the low positive caster on the left side is causing your vehicle to pull to the left.


I had the opposite problem. My T4R when new pulled to the right. The dealer only adjusted the toe and it didn't really do anything to improve this. They re-did the alignment and added more positive caster to the right. This fixed my pulling problem.

 

[EddieV4runnin]

Hello all.....

Took my car into Firestone to take because my car was pulling to the left. I purchased the lifetime alignment.

The first time in a week ago it looks like the only thing they change was the toe? The car still pulled to the left?

Took it in this morning to see if the can correct it and get me caster as close to +2 and as even as possible. This is when they informed me that the right eccentric bolt was just spinning in the adjuster and there was nothing they could do about it? Any help in what I need to do to get this corrected? Would this fall under extended warranty? Take it to the dealership? Could they have damaged the bolt?

Todays spec sheet has the 2.4 caster on the right front.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Where are you located??

 

[svana]

It all depends on the tech you get. If you get one that's worth his salt, jot his name down and ask for him every time until he realizes he's too good for Firestone and moves elsewhere. The last guy that did my truck was willing to adjust everything exactly to the specs I wanted (OEM camber, as much negative caster as possible to clear the body mounts). The front desk still gave me the stink-eye. Same shop one time prior had said they wouldn't align it cuz my tie-rods were bent (they weren't wrong, but still lol). They technically won't do "lifted trucks" so they always will look for an excuse. One time they refunded my money after YEARS of going to the same shop (prior to this one). Went to my current one a few months later and bought it again - I was willing to roll the dice as I figured I'd gotten my money's worth from it. Going to take my chances again here in a few weeks once I install my 700# coils on my icons.

 

[briandotr]

It all depends on the tech you get. If you get one that's worth his salt, jot his name down and ask for him every time until he realizes he's too good for Firestone and moves elsewhere. The last guy that did my truck was willing to adjust everything exactly to the specs I wanted (OEM camber, as much negative caster as possible to clear the body mounts). The front desk still gave me the stink-eye. Same shop one time prior had said they wouldn't align it cuz my tie-rods were bent (they weren't wrong, but still lol). They technically won't do "lifted trucks" so they always will look for an excuse. One time they refunded my money after YEARS of going to the same shop (prior to this one). Went to my current one a few months later and bought it again - I was willing to roll the dice as I figured I'd gotten my money's worth from it. Going to take my chances again here in a few weeks once I install my 700# coils on my icons.

Do you mind sharing which shop? It would be worthwhile to keep track of this in the future since I'm in the same area as you. I've always been particular about this sort of thing with my cars and used specific shops, hoping to find good places for the 4Runner though.

 

[Snackie]

Where are you located??

Right outside of Philly, PA.

 

[Snackie]

Where are you located??

For some reason my original post was completely messed up by either Siri or spell check. Regardless, pulling it into Toyota in the morning to get it figured out. Firestone didn't hesitate in giving me my money back immediately. It was actually the way the manager approached the situation. I'm just a bit confused thinking something is wrong with the eccentric bolt?

 

[nb rob]

It’s not unusual for people to replace the cam bolts. But often it’s because they’re seized and need to be cut out.

Good luck. I wonder if the tabs the cams engage to are damaged...?
Keep us posted with the result

I was considering the Firestone lifetime alignment. They always have lifted vehicles in their parking lot here

 

[svana]

Do you mind sharing which shop? It would be worthwhile to keep track of this in the future since I'm in the same area as you. I've always been particular about this sort of thing with my cars and used specific shops, hoping to find good places for the 4Runner though.

The one off of Rt 7 in sterling. Tech’s name was John

 

[matoolie]

I will offer my $0.02 in about a week. I have lifetime alignment with Firestone also. I installed a 3”/2” spacer lift awhile back, had aligned and no issues related to driving. But I also did not get a printout.

I am replacing everything with a Dobinson setup, including UCA’s. Reason..... both front X-REAS shocks leaking and ripping everything out for Dobinson stuff. Have alignment scheduled for next Friday, assuming the springs/shocks come in time for install by me on Thursday. UCA’s fixed at +3 caster. We shall see.

Glen Allen Firestone by the way.

 

[honda250xtitan]

i had great luck with the lifetime from firestone. this was with a titan that went through 4 or 5 different setups, including changing preload on coilovers, aftermarket uppers, aftermarket lowers, billet tie rod ends etc. it all depends on the tech and the motivation lol

 

[The_Green_Wang]

I was about to purchase the lifetime Firestone alignment when I decided I would pay for a single alignment from them and then see if the lifetime was worth it. I will tell you, it's not. I went in two times due to the alignment being off and then settled to pay $95 for toyota to do it, which they did flawlessly. I dont know if it's the workers, machine, etc but they're alignment was terrible. The manager seemed nice and was understanding but their performance wasnt cutting it. Alignments are expensive, not going to lie but it's better the shell out the extra $$$ and settle for piece of mind and protection of our beloved expensive tires.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Snackie]

Quick update here.....Firestone stinks.

Nothings broke, Toyota was able to get it as good as they can with 2.3 positive camber with the Bilstein 5100's on at 1.75 lift. Everything else is within spec. Ever so slight mis-alignment on the steering wheel that the tech wasn't sure if he could work out without leading to him spending a ton of time trying to fix. Said I really shouldn't notice it. (but he doesn't know me)

I'll attach the spec sheet when complete.