Worst Alignment Ever? Your Own Horror Stories?

[MysticRob]

Wow, what an experience.

I recently put H&R Race Springs on my Cobra and had a bit of a pull left afterward. Since I had a coupon for a few % off a Firestone 4-wheel alignment and had to take my kids to the dentist across the street from them, I brought it in for the work. I specifically asked if they could do a 4-wheel alignment and was assured they could do it all. Granted I didn't have CC Plates installed, but figured they could get close enough to improve it.

After picking the car up I discovered that not only does the car pull even harder to the left, but now the steering wheel was completely off-center too. And the rear alignment hadn't even been touched according to the spec sheet, even though both camber and toe were way off. :loser:

So I call and tell them how bad it is, and to inquire as to why the rear wasn't aligned, and they tell me that the tech verified my car has a solid rear axle. Since I'm the one who put the springs on the car, and recently changed the fuel filter buried up in there, I can attest to there definitely being an IRS on it. :lol:

I then go on to ask why the tech would say it has an SRA when he had it in the air and could verify with his own eyes that it was an IRS. When they asked when I'd like to return to have the problems corrected, I informed them I instead wanted a full refund since I didn't feel safe bringing the car back to them. :??: I got no argument at that point and have been refunded the full amount, but man, what kind of tech would not only make the alignment worse, but wouldn't even be able to tell the difference between an SRA and IRS??

I've thus learned my lesson and have MM CC Plates being shipped, and will more than likely be taking the car to the local Ford dealership to correct the new problems and have the alignment done right... unless I can find a shop that knows what it's doing. :bash:

Anyone else have any "great" stories like this?

 

[DSG2003Mach1]

most alignment techs dont seem to know much more then trying to move shit around until the screen gives them a green light (just because its within spec doesnt mean it will track straight). The steering wheel is off just because he didnt recenter it, not a "problem" per-say.

it is hard to find a good alignment shop

 

[SVT_Troy]

Haha as the comedian Kevin Hart would say, " You gonna learn today!" Don't ever take a performance vehicle to any place like that unless you know of a specific mechanic that is verified!

 

[crazyhorse89]

My cousin works at the Firestone by my house and hes the only one to ever touch my car. Only one I trust enough. I worked there for a lil bit and couldnt stand the way the manager ran the store. At the end of the day it was my name on the tickets. So I backed up to the shop and loaded my toolbox in the truck and walked out. Sorry you had the bad experience.

 

[MysticRob]

My cousin works at the Firestone by my house and hes the only one to ever touch my car. Only one I trust enough. I worked there for a lil bit and couldnt stand the way the manager ran the store. At the end of the day it was my name on the tickets. So I backed up to the shop and loaded my toolbox in the truck and walked out. Sorry you had the bad experience.

Good for you! :beer: I'm the same way about taking ownership of what I do and say. My word means everything, and it's a damn shame everyone isn't like that.

 

[supraman1990]

Most shops like that have a few guys that know what they are doing, and the rest are pure morons. My car goes to a shop I know and I watch them align it.

 

[crazyhorse89]

Good for you! :beer: I'm the same way about taking ownership of what I do and say. My word means everything, and it's a damn shame everyone isn't like that.

I was just raised that way. Dont believe in upselling what isnt needed. Was supposed to work on the managers car and his buddies car for free but i get charged to work on my own while we are slow? Put shocks, struts, new tires, etc.... on a ladies car. She comes in 3 months later for an oil change and rotation to have the manager tell her she needs all that again. I told her dont buy a thing she doesnt need them and pull the previous ticket. I get screamed at by him for it but i didnt care. She was grateful and i felt good bc he didnt get his monthly bonus that month haha......

 

[crazyhorse89]

Wow, what an experience.

I recently put H&R Race Springs on my Cobra and had a bit of a pull left afterward. Since I had a coupon for a few % off a Firestone 4-wheel alignment and had to take my kids to the dentist across the street from them, I brought it in for the work. I specifically asked if they could do a 4-wheel alignment and was assured they could do it all. Granted I didn't have CC Plates installed, but figured they could get close enough to improve it.

After picking the car up I discovered that not only does the car pull even harder to the left, but now the steering wheel was completely off-center too. And the rear alignment hadn't even been touched according to the spec sheet, even though both camber and toe were way off. :loser:

So I call and tell them how bad it is, and to inquire as to why the rear wasn't aligned, and they tell me that the tech verified my car has a solid rear axle. Since I'm the one who put the springs on the car, and recently changed the fuel filter buried up in there, I can attest to there definitely being an IRS on it. :lol:

I then go on to ask why the tech would say it has an SRA when he had it in the air and could verify with his own eyes that it was an IRS. When they asked when I'd like to return to have the problems corrected, I informed them I instead wanted a full refund since I didn't feel safe bringing the car back to them. :??: I got no argument at that point and have been refunded the full amount, but man, what kind of tech would not only make the alignment worse, but wouldn't even be able to tell the difference between an SRA and IRS??

I've thus learned my lesson and have MM CC Plates being shipped, and will more than likely be taking the car to the local Ford dealership to correct the new problems and have the alignment done right... unless I can find a shop that knows what it's doing. :bash:

Anyone else have any "great" stories like this?

OP, while what the tech did was wrong, i know book time that firestone pays for an alignment is 1.2 hours. I managed to get my cc plates fairly "close" to where the strut originally was and my cousin still spent 3.5 hours making everything right. He got it back to factory specs within .01 degrees. I was lucky enouh that he did it on his off day for me so no coin outta my pocket. Just some Crown lol. The tech shouldnt have done that but if he told his manager and the manager over rid him. Then its lost $$$$ for him too. Just a lil food for thought. The book time almost forces techs to take shortcuts. It sucks but its another reason i quit. My name and reputation is more important to me. Hope all gets straightened out


John

 

[Blkkbgt]

After my 2nd horrible experience I said screw it and started doing my own alignmnets. I got tired of employees bitching about my CC plates or my bump steer kit blah blah blah. No more hassle or wondering if something was actually tightened.

 

[Fox-4]

I got a good little story. Last Nov. I had a set of new tires put on the front at discount tire then headed off to a recommended alignment shop in the next town over that "supposedly" knows their way around Mustangs and other performance vehicles. So I get to the store and tell them I'm here for a alignment and that I'll need to sick around since I don't have a ride.
After waiting what seemed like forever I finally get the page that the car is ready and that everything looks great. Hit the road and the car begins the wander to the left and steering wheel is off-centered. :bored: Called the shop up and explained what happened get the ok to bring the car in the next day for a re-do. Great right? Next morning I arrive and the dude at the counter says his alignment guy is on holiday and won't be back till after Thanksgiving. :bored::bored: really? that would been nice to know before hand.
He days to come back on XX date he'll make sure it will be taken care of. SO now, this is a week and a half after I went to the shop and the car goes back onto the rack. The tech asks if the car is lowered, I told yes, and he spouts that he's unable to align it.:bs: But the car has MM CC plates on it. He literally said right after that "well then its your wheel bearing then" :bs::bs::bs: installed new set of rotors and pads earlier that month, saw on noticeable play in the hubs. stupid bastards. Should have bitched for a refund for wasting my time on this bs.

Now only go to the dealership. And what chaps my ass is that I still see posts on fb on how great they are and how awesome their service is :bs::burn:

 

[SLPRCTM]

Op, take your car to Cusom Alignment in Mountain View. They are on Wyandotte st. I took mine there to have an open track alignment done. The guys there actually race mustangs. Extremly nice and knowledgeable. Not cheap but if you want it perfect, they will be the place to go. I am brutally picky about my car and will be going back there if I need another alignment.

 

[MysticRob]

Op, take your car to Cusom Alignment in Mountain View. They are on Wyandotte st. I took mine there to have an open track alignment done. The guys there actually race mustangs. Extremly nice and knowledgeable. Not cheap but if you want it perfect, they will be the place to go. I am brutally picky about my car and will be going back there if I need another alignment.

Oh sweet, I'll give them a call and see what happens -- it's all of 10min from my place. Hey, if you and Fox-4 (nightmare story, BTW!) are still somewhere in the area you guys should come out for our kinda-monthly cruises like this one:

http://www.svtperformance.com/forum...st-muscle-car-group-ride-2012-12-30-12-a.html

Would be great to get another member and car along for the rides and meet-ups! :beer:

 

[Fox-4]

Oh sweet, I'll give them a call and see what happens -- it's all of 10min from my place. Hey, if you and Fox-4 (nightmare story, BTW!) are still somewhere in the area you guys should come out for our kinda-monthly cruises like this one:

http://www.svtperformance.com/forum...st-muscle-car-group-ride-2012-12-30-12-a.html

Would be great to get another member and car along for the rides and meet-ups! :beer:

I'd love to go but you guys usually host them on the weekends that I work. :lol:
If your bored you can also join us valley folk on our runs. :beer:
IMG_0503 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
IMG_0740 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[MysticRob]

I'd love to go but you guys usually host them on the weekends that I work. :lol:
If your bored you can also join us valley folk on our runs. :beer:
IMG_0503 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
IMG_0740 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

LOL, and we usually have to reschedule due to rain too. :cuss:
I was checking out your flickr pics and the altamont (assuming anyway) drive looked awesome. We'll keep an eye on the forum for another ride in your area. Hell, chime in on our threads and maybe we can get something organized out there too. I also saw some pics of the Sac railroad museum -- I gotta visit that every couple of years to get my fill. :beer:

 

[SLPRCTM]

Thanks!

I usually catch the cruise info on Norcalsvtoa. Most of the time though, I already have plans dealing with house projects, working or fixing the race car. I have made it out to a couple but not any recently. I would definately like to go to more. I'm up near S.F. You can find me on the other site under toxcvnm.

:rockon:

 

[Mystic03]

Haha as the comedian Kevin Hart would say, " You gonna learn today!" Don't ever take a performance vehicle to any place like that unless you know of a specific mechanic that is verified!

+1 i work at a local repair shop for now...but all my buddies make 30-1hr trips for me to work on their cars..find a good mechanic or friend that knows these cars inside and out

 

[OW99]

I went to get an alignment after installing h&r springs. I took the car in and chatted with the tech about what settings I wanted and so on. I went to the restaurant next door and twenty minutes later I go back and they tell me my car is done. Being suspicious, I told them to put it back on the lift and give me a print out of the numbers. They do and... What do you know! The tech just set the front toe and called it a day.

I ended up just redoing it with his tools and him just watching.