Lifetime Alignment Worth it?

[HappyHooligan]

So since I'm upgrading my shocks and springs I'm going to need an alignment and I see that firestone offers a lifetime alignment for around 200 and I don't plan on selling my truck anytime soon. Most vehicles I've had, I've had for 10+ years so seems worth it. Anyone else have it or is there better ones?

 

[thezentree]

I guess it depends on the quality of alignment you'll get there. I bought a 3 year plan from a local shop that ended up just doing "toe-and-go" alignments. I had to argue with them to get them to even put it on the rack the first time I took it there after I lifted it because "you can't align a lifted vehicle."

 

[96RedRunner]

Alignments are all about who is doing them. My local Firestone can't keep a good
alignment guy, good alignment guy's move around. So I've followed a good guy
for 15 yrs.

 

[jgue467]

...I had to argue with them to get them to even put it on the rack the first time I took it there after I lifted it because "you can't align a lifted vehicle."

When I get mine aligned they do lift it but then it's set back down onto the lift itselft while up in the air then the laser alignment event happens i guess.

But yes i think it's worth getting a 'lifetime' alignment on your vehicle. I should do the same, but my guy only charges $45 so i keep doing that instead. :cowboy:

 

[AntleredRuin]

I'd say it's worth it, yeah.
With all the DIY work we do, often to suspension, steering, etc, alignments can add up quick. We are also in the habit of real preventative maintenance, and not fixing a problem after it's already broken, so we'll have more alignments than the average person, who just lets issues stack up, and then has a shop do it all in one fell swoop, + 1 alignment.

Most shops will throw in a free or cheaper alignment if they do the work for you, but that obviously doesn't really apply to us car guys.

 

[IBallEngineer]

NO

Everyone has different experiences at different locations, however in general I think you'll find the alignment techs at Firestone have little to no clue. Type in "Firestone Alignment" in the search window above, and scroll down to see the results. Some positive, mostly negative. Chain tire stores generally don't keep help for very long. There have been some real horror stories about Firestone,and to be fair some people have had good results.

They sell the lifetime alignments in hopes you never come back, so it's not surprising they discourage frequent use of it.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

When I get mine aligned they do lift it but then it's set back down onto the lift itselft while up in the air then the laser alignment event happens i guess.

But yes i think it's worth getting a 'lifetime' alignment on your vehicle. I should do the same, but my guy only charges $45 so i keep doing that instead. :cowboy:

They usually do that to get the weight off of the slip plates so they can pull the pins and relax the suspension the the rack. The newer camera systems don't HAVE to do that unless you need to relax the suspension to make a camber or caster adjustment. It sounds like your shop has an older unit which you had to jack up the wheels (axles) to perform runout (spin the wheel with the sensor on to acquire the 3 points to compensate for runout) then put them down again. They actually were sort of like lasers but used LEDs. Those units were being phased out when I was working on them over 10 years ago. They can be VERY unreliable as they can be easily taken out of calibration.

 

[teotwaki]

My local Firestone seems to have no problem at all keeping the good techs at their location. I had my 2005 4Runner for 13 years and had a lifetime alignment with those guys and had ZERO problems. After I bought the 2018 TRD/ORP I swapped in my original RadFlo suspension and went straight to Firestone for another lifetime alignment deal. I used an online coupon to get it for $180. Back in 2006 the alignment price was $150.

Get to know the store manager and he will make sure your alignment is performed by his most experienced tech.

 

[jgue467]

...
Those units were being phased out when I was working on them over 10 years ago. They can be VERY unreliable as they can be easily taken out of calibration.

Guess I better find another place to go. My last one with lifetime warranties stopped selling them, excuse was lame, cuz employees were abusing the program. Uggg. :cowboy:

 

[jkoni426]

I've gotten the lifetime alignments on probably 3 vehicles now. It's definitely worth it, pays for itself after the second or third time. Best deal out there in my opinion, but how well it's done is going to depend on the location as mentioned previously.

 

[gamefreakgc]

So since I'm upgrading my shocks and springs I'm going to need an alignment and I see that firestone offers a lifetime alignment for around 200 and I don't plan on selling my truck anytime soon. Most vehicles I've had, I've had for 10+ years so seems worth it. Anyone else have it or is there better ones?

Think of it this way: do you see yourself getting an alignment more than 3 times in the near future? If yes, go ahead. If not then pass on the lifetime one. I get alignments for $70 at the dealer and they always get it perfect. I've only ever done 2 after 4 years and that was because of replacing shocks/springs LBJ's and then my steering rack failed and had to be replaced.

 

[Plastics guy]

I have the lifetime alignment at Firestone. More times than not I dont get a perfect alignment. But It sure is nice to be able to pull suspension parts like LCA or Tie rods and knowing I can have it put back into somewhat close alignment.

Once I'm done tinkering and building my suspension I'll pay to have a Professional go through the alignment and simply have Firestone maintain that alignment as long as I can.

 

[sakoluvr]

Think of it this way: do you see yourself getting an alignment more than 3 times in the near future? If yes, go ahead. If not then pass on the lifetime one. I get alignments for $70 at the dealer and they always get it perfect. I've only ever done 2 after 4 years and that was because of replacing shocks/springs LBJ's and then my steering rack failed and had to be replaced.

That's what I pay at my dealer and very happy with it. BTW, my 4runner is lifted too.