Moonshine

I've got an appointment today @ 4 for an alignment.

Question is, they advertise a 'standard' alignment which is a simple front end adjustment for in the thereabouts of $30. They also have a 'thrust' alignment in which they check the rear end and make sure it's not 'pushing' the car sideways. This cost in the thereabouts of $60. Now, correct me if I'm wrong but there is no adjustment in a SRA yah? So, I should just have them do the 'standard'? I've never had to get a car aligned, and I want to make sure I'm not wasting my money on something I don't need.

Thanks in advance

harbre32

As far as I know you can't get an alignment on a solid axel. So tell them you just need a front end alignment. But they should know all this

WhiteFoxGT

30$ alignment, thats super cheap. Now is that just to throw it on the rack or does it include a toe adjust? You know most places charge 1hr per side if caster/camber adjustments are needed.

And please dont pay to have the rear checked. First SRA you cant do a damn thing with stock suspension components. Any good tech who does alignments knows rule of thumb on cars with rear adjustments is to do the rear FIRST. So charging extra to check the rear goes to show what kinda place that is lol

cliffyk

The thrust angle alignment (check as there is nothing to adjust) may be worth doing if the car is new to you and/or you wish the make certain there are no damaged/worn suspension components.

While there is nothing to adjust on the back-end, it could be that a bent control arm or worn bushings could be throwing it out of line--a thrust angle alignment check will reveal such issues.

All that said, I suspect they will be using targets on all four wheels even with the $30 front-end only job. With four targets the alignment rack will automatically check the thrust angle, and as they will want to sell you additional services you can bet your bippy they will let you know if it's bad...

WhiteFoxGT

Every modern alignment machine I know of and used has 4 heads. It will still tell you the rear specs, but it will be shaded in gray which means no adjustment. Even the printout they will hand you should have the rear specs on it. Its just a gimmick

Moonshine

Thanks guys!

@ Cliff - Okay I suspected so. Ill deny the thrust angle check as they will not even be able to do anything if there is an issue.

@ Doug - No, I wasn't aware they are scared of C/C. I do have plates. Hopefully there isn't too much trouble. Thanks for the heads up!

Also, is is price for a toe adjust.

Hopefully it will help out with my terrible tramlining.

cliffyk

As I said you can bet they'll check it--so that they can sell you something more if it's off...

Moonshine

Just got the car off the rack. Standard adjustment apparently does not include caster/camber. That is part of the thrust alignment. Boo.

Car back on rack having caster/camber adjusted.

Moonshine