THSCC Forums

Just wondering if anyone has any input on this 'service'.

Before I can go camber plates, I have to source some stock WRX control arms, and n the mean time, I was going to slam the camber. To do this, I was thinking about invoking the Firestone alignment for life policy for 135. That would allow me to switch back and forth from alignment settings incase I want to not run MAX sotck camber allowed.

Any thoughts from anyone who might have used the service? Just looking for wisdom and insight.

Thanks in advance!

- dow

I believe that the intent of their alignment for life is for an alignment within factory specs, not for custom jobs every two weeks.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

Also, there's a liimitation of not more than one alignment per 4 months or something. I've just acquired one and I know Tom Hoppe uses it too. He's just had his 6th or 8th alignment under that plan! He uses it to get back to a known baseline (I think he does zeros all around) from which he then deviates as needed using his own tools.

The folks at Firestone on Glenwood are pretty accommodating as to non-factory specs. I asked for maximum negative camber and they did it for me and noted it on the alignment statement. Even gave me a second printout to keep in the car in case I went elsewhere.

Simon

Got my lifetime alignment on my blue RS in 2001 for a special price of $100. I've had about 5 alignments since the original. There's a statement on the back of the receipt that I think says at least 5k miles must have elapsed since the last alignment. Don't remember seeing a 4-month limit.

Some Firestones > others, but the one on Glenwood was AWESOME.

I have this for my Protege, but they wouldn't do it locally for my Celica. Once they saw the graphics and my need for a 'custom' alignment, it became $75 an hour - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

Apparently Tom and Kevin have had better luck than me on that deal. I went in and tried to get that for the Vette. As soon as I showed him my specs he said, NO. Factory only. Then spewed off the Firestone corporate policy on alignments. This was after I had bought sets of tires for 3 cars. You would think after spending about $2K in tires he would be a little bit more reasonable. He lost my business for that stunt. This is the one on Glenwood. Hope you get better results.

Graham

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http://www.greywinds.com

Graham,

Where do you have custom alignments done for your C4? Will they do none factory alignments for C5's as well?

Bear in mind that my alignments are the easiest evAr.

I have adjustable links for camber and toe in the back that take literally 30 seconds a side on the alignment machine. The front camber has been done at home and has been dead on every time and the front toe is an adjustable arm. I go back every 4 or 5K miles and get it done. Last time it took me ~45-50 minutes to drive from cary, get on the rack, get the alignment done and drive back to cary at lunchtime. Every time the guy does it he says "man, I wish all cars were this easy to align"

-Tom

Cary Automasters. Mike does the alignments. About $70-$90. You're paying by the hour and it is not lifetime. Some people don't like that shop. I get along with Mike just fine and he did great work. Bring in your specs and he'll do it. Make an appointment and tell them you want to bring custom specs.

If you don't have any specs in mind yet go look at Vette Brakes website.
http://www.vbandp.com/instructions/htmlinstruct/align.htm
Do not use extreme autox settings on a street car. If you're at factory now try the advanced street and then adjust from there.

Also go check the corvetteforum in the autocross section. Just do a search and you'll find lots of ideas.

Graham

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http://www.greywinds.com

I would just like to state that I decided to go to this particular Firestone on Gleenwood on 8/7/04 and ask them about their alignments.

I got the speel about "Firestone has made it a policy not to align outside of factory specs." Also, I got the 'a lot of you type guys have been coming up here" speach. I am hoping I did not ruin it for anyone, and I did NOT bring up names. I simply drove up, inquired about getting an alignment done with my spec (no spec mentioned) and I immediately got the standard response. Tall, mid-30s, bald white guy gave me the "miranda".

So, I need another solution or place where I can get an alignment done within MY specs. Bear in mind, I am not running camber places or anything special, so I wont be running more than 1.5 degrees negative camber up front, and MAYBE -1.0 out back. I doubt I will reach those numbers, but I need to ensure I can reach that camber without screwing up my toe.

Anyone with any other solutions would bne greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

We got ours done several months ago at the Tire King in Morrisville. My wife took the car and the guy (name was Mike Tillman) even let her go back into the shop, showing her exactly what he was doing. He adjust things to our specs with no muss, no fuss. I think the price was around $65. It's not a lifetime alignment or anything, but it was done to our specs without hesitation. The guy was very cool and chatted with her about autocross some.

I like the fact that he didn't treat her any differently than he would another guy.

-Mike

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2003 Mazda Protege5 (TheCheat)
2003 Subaru Impreza WRX (the wife's car, which she lets me race)

Is this the same Tire King that is on Airport? If so, that is like walking distance from my work.

Just let me know, and thanks for the reference.

- Brian

Mike Tillman has been doing alignments there for >10 years. He does an ok job with custom specs, but never seems to get the exact numbers right for left/right balance. But then again, you can tell that he isn't leaning on the car on the rack to get the exact number on the computer either. Frankly, I'm a big fan of Kevin Ley's work at MM Autowerks just a mile further down the road.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

I just had my Miata done at MM Autowerks. Kevin is a great guy, not exactly cheap, but I have confidence that he did it correctly and I know he spent a great deal of time on the car getting it right.

Yup, that's the one.

-Mike

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2003 Mazda Protege5 (TheCheat)
2003 Subaru Impreza WRX (the wife's car, which she lets me race)