Shop can not do machine alignment

[4runnerboi]

I just upgraded to Nitto Terras 265/75/16 yesterday and went to get the alignment done ( man they ride good and what a change from 70's height). The guy said he had to do the chalk line style because the wheels are not to spec of what the computer knows. Even on the door jam it has 15 inch rims listed even though i have the oem 16 inchers.

I went a head and let him do the manual chalk way since it was only 35$. I did work and drives straight.

I am just curious if anyone has ever heard of what my shop told me.

Thanks for all replies.

Justin.

 

[shadow247]

Find a different shop. I would only go to a shop that has a Hunter alignment machine. They are widely regarded as the standard in alignments. The machine doesn't care what wheels you have on your truck. Only the dinkus doing the alignment does. I have done plenty of alignments on vehicles with non-stock wheels. In fact, at the custom wheel shop I used to work at, our specialty was aligning lifted and lowered vehicles with non-stock wheel and tire setups.

 

[ryan93Integra]

i agree with the above statement. ive worked at a few shops that did alignments. and while the truck might drive straight doesnt mean the tires arent going to wear fast if the alignments off. my acura had major toe in and drove perfectly straight. ruined a brand new set of tires in 400 miles

 

[tbst]

If you don't get a print out with your alignment, I call it bogus. It can feel good, but have other issues.

I would go somewhere else if you can afford to. That is bogus about the tires. They can align 12' trucks if the ceiling is high enough for the machine. I was at the tire shop last week when they were doing it.

 

[Gerdo]

I call, BUNK!
Go somewhere else.

 

[Outdoorlogic]

I have always done the Firestone lifetime alignment package... It is a little more up front but one or two trips and its paid for. You know us wheelers cant leave anything alone for very long.

 

[4-Ripcord]

I have always done the Firestone lifetime alignment package... It is a little more up front but one or two trips and its paid for. You know us wheelers cant leave anything alone for very long.

x2. Firestone ftw.

 

[josh.bunch]

x2. Firestone ftw.

I've had 3 Firestone alignments in the last 5 days with my lifetime alignment. I'll be going back soon because they still cannot get it right. Atleast it is paid for.

 

[tylerbaird]

I have always done the Firestone lifetime alignment package... It is a little more up front but one or two trips and its paid for. You know us wheelers cant leave anything alone for very long.

I purchased the lifetime alignment from Firestone for my 4Runner when it was completely stock. After I got new wheels and tires the guy at Firestone told me that their machine would scratch the new wheels. I thought it was sort of strange, and I figured that they were designed for aftermarket wheels also but I guess not.

 

[Ed_C]

Total BS! Like shadow247 said,the machine doesn't care what wheels or tires are on the vehicle. I've also aligned lifted and lowered vehicles with stock and aftermarket wheels and/or tires.

 

[shadow247]

I purchased the lifetime alignment from Firestone for my 4Runner when it was completely stock. After I got new wheels and tires the guy at Firestone told me that their machine would scratch the new wheels. I thought it was sort of strange, and I figured that they were designed for aftermarket wheels also but I guess not.

That is BS too. The guy at Firestone is FULL OF CRAP plain and simple. Unless you have some crazy wheels, like reverse mount wheels, which are HIGHLY uncommon for a Toyota, there should be no issue. Have you ever watched them hook up the alignment heads. The modern heads actually fit into the bead between the tire and rim, and do NO damage to the rim if properly set up on the vehicle.

 

[tylerbaird]

That is BS too. The guy at Firestone is FULL OF CRAP plain and simple. Unless you have some crazy wheels, like reverse mount wheels, which are HIGHLY uncommon for a Toyota, there should be no issue. Have you ever watched them hook up the alignment heads. The modern heads actually fit into the bead between the tire and rim, and do NO damage to the rim if properly set up on the vehicle.

I figured it was, but I just went to Les Schwab instead. We used to do alignments all the time in high school automotive class and this was never an issue.