Reasonable price for wheel alignment?

calnhob

calnhob

Member
What's a reasonable price to pay for all four wheel alignment. I replaced the front and rear shocks/springs so need to it get it done even though it drives straight right now.

I was quoted $90 for just a front wheel alignment (forgot I need a four wheels done when I asked for the quote).

I'm in the Bay Area (Oakland).
 
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Well prices vary by region I suppose but in texas you can get a 4wheel alignment (only one I recommend) for about $60 on average. Get other quotes further from the coast? :cowboy:
 
You just need the front aligned and rear checked.

$50 is a sale price sometimes locally and it goes all the way up to $120 for an offroad shop to do it.
 
JayRolla said:
You just need the front aligned and rear checked.

$50 is a sale price sometimes locally and it goes all the way up to $120 for an offroad shop to do it.
Click to expand...

they check the back, and in doing so they can pinpoint if you have any bad bushing in the back, then they align the front to the rear to make sure all is in factory specs as far as front to back so that it tracks like the factory wanted

but to be honest, my last one was just a front wheel,

firestone does lifetime alignments, Ive never used them, I have had plenty of friends who have had bad experiences with firestone, but that could be just the local firestone.

I just use the same guys who have been doing mine for a long long time, a small company, only 3 shops in 3 different towns.
 
Around $85 here in Iowa. You may want to look at a lifetime alignment if you plan to keep it for several years. I bought a lifetime alignment from Firestone for my 3rd generation knowing at the time I would be replacing front end parts. Have used it several times after new tires, new ball joints, new UCA, and now will use it again after putting a different steering rack in a few days ago.

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I paid $160 for lifetime alignment @ Tires Plus here in NE and it pays for itself after a couple of times... One of the best decisions I've ever made.
 
Everyone hates on firestone but the lifetime alignment is a steal if you keep your vehicles. I've had mine aligned a lot after suspension work, and sometimes just checked to if I was there to have tires balanced. Just ask the manager to have their highest qualified tech do it and ask to go out there and talk to them while they do it. That's what I do every time. This way I can keep an eye on what he's doing, and specify what I want, like max caster.
 
You do not need a rear wheel Alignment, it's a solid axle. I got mine done very well by Tom Scott toyota for $80.00 they did an awesome job and I have 3"+/- of lift
 
Unner said:
Everyone hates on firestone but the lifetime alignment is a steal if you keep your vehicles. I've had mine aligned a lot after suspension work, and sometimes just checked to if I was there to have tires balanced. Just ask the manager to have their highest qualified tech do it and ask to go out there and talk to them while they do it. That's what I do every time. This way I can keep an eye on what he's doing, and specify what I want, like max caster.
Click to expand...



I'm always a active participant at my buddy's shop when it's time. He charges 75.


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You're not necessarily getting a "4 wheel alignment", at least speaking of our trucks. But, new alignment camera style machines (the ones with the red flashing lights) need input from all four wheels to get proper readings. Almost all shops have these machines now. Really, even the old machines needed those readings to get the thrust angle right and "to a lesser degree" front toe because front toe is set on many machines using the rear to dial in the thrust angle.
If you've ever been behind a vehicle that looks like it's going diagonally down the road but yet is going straight, this is called "dog tracking" and is the result of something in the rear being unparallel with the front(toe setting, shifted solid axle, or bent axle) and the front toe being adjusted to make the vehicle go straight. Google "alignment Dog tracking" to get a visual of this. Most people don't even know they have this condition unless someone they know is behind them and tells them. It ultimately is the result of the alignment tech not doing his job, by either not finding the bent parts in the alignment pre-inspection, not knowing how to read the alignment angles, not adjusting the rear before adjusting the front, (if it is adjustable) or not adjusting the rear at all.

Labor wise, we should all be getting 2 wheel alignments, because there's no toe or camber to set in the rear. Shops should know this. Most of the shops I've seen charge one price for an alignment and THEN let you know if any additional labor would be required. Like putting in shims or eccentrics for example, which drastically increase labor times and even though technically it is part of doing an alignment.
 
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3bears said:
they check the back, and in doing so they can pinpoint if you have any bad bushing in the back, then they align the front to the rear to make sure all is in factory specs as far as front to back so that it tracks like the factory wanted

but to be honest, my last one was just a front wheel,

firestone does lifetime alignments, Ive never used them, I have had plenty of friends who have had bad experiences with firestone, but that could be just the local firestone.

I just use the same guys who have been doing mine for a long long time, a small company, only 3 shops in 3 different towns.
Click to expand...

I didn't ask a question. I know how alignment work. Haha.
 
Good to know everyone.

I guess $90 is not a bad quote but I'll look for some place with a lifetime offer if possible.
 
calnhob said:
Good to know everyone.



I guess $90 is not a bad quote but I'll look for some place with a lifetime offer if possible.
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I got you out here in Napa if you want to make the trip.
I used to work at big o out here and and still good friends with the manager
I take all my customers vehicles here also.
Price changes on the plan you want to get
I got the 5 year plan and have gotten my alignment done 7 times in the last year for free cause I'm picky and also cause I changed parts and adjusted my coilovers a couple times.
But if price is what your looking for.
Les Schwab is $56.25 for front wheel but if rec removing your skid plate before you go in
 
MarkamisPrime said:
I got you out here in Napa if you want to make the trip.
I used to work at big o out here and and still good friends with the manager
I take all my customers vehicles here also.
Price changes on the plan you want to get
I got the 5 year plan and have gotten my alignment done 7 times in the last year for free cause I'm picky and also cause I changed parts and adjusted my coilovers a couple times.
But if price is what your looking for.
Les Schwab is $56.25 for front wheel but if rec removing your skid plate before you go in
Click to expand...

It's not free when you pay for a 5 year plan.
 
MarkamisPrime said:
I got you out here in Napa if you want to make the trip.
I used to work at big o out here and and still good friends with the manager
I take all my customers vehicles here also.
Price changes on the plan you want to get
I got the 5 year plan and have gotten my alignment done 7 times in the last year for free cause I'm picky and also cause I changed parts and adjusted my coilovers a couple times.
But if price is what your looking for.
Les Schwab is $56.25 for front wheel but if rec removing your skid plate before you go in
Click to expand...

Napa is a bit of a haul although I'm sure the wife won't mind if we take a trip there a few times a year. What's the cost of the 5 year plan?
 
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