So I did a bunch of front end work and took my car to the tire shop I usually use and they alighned it good, but steering was very slightly off. Drove straight and didn't wonder but I wanted it perfectly straight.

So I took it back today and the usual guy wasn't there and the service manager(30years experience in field) did the work and he didn't even hook up the up the machine. I was confused as he moved the tie rods for the toe but didn't have the computer on at all. Is this okay?

The car drives straight and brakes straight, no noticible pulling. But y'all ever heard of this?

I prefer not to chew up my tires, but everything seems to be straight when driving.

When I questioned(respectfully) he had the same excuse of having 30 years experience which I don't think is a decent excuse since I'm the one who is paying money I work hard for. I may be wrong but what y'all think about all this?

 

You can center the steering wheel by moving each tie rod end the same amount, 1 in, the other out. If he was careful, you're probably spot on. I've had to do this a few times, and it always turned out fine. I own a small shop, and we sublet our alignments, but I have done them in the past. To put your mind at ease you might want to see if your regular guy could re-check the toe setting.

 

Oh ok that's good to hear, I was very concerned about that since I had to go out of town in it tonight.

And thank you for the quick reply

 

Idk, that's kinda bs if you paid for an alignment...

 

Exactly what I though!

 

I have had good success changing toe and my wheel angle by doing it without an alignment machine. In your situation if you paid for an alignment, I would expect it to be done by a machine.

 

Did you use the string method or just more eyeball it? Just out of curiosity

 

I use the string method and also a tape measure. Putting salt down where the wheels will be and making sure anything unneeded is out of the car. This gives the best reading without a machine.