My TL is pulling to the right when I am driving on a straight away, like the highway, and it has never had a four wheel alignment. I was wondering if this could help, and How much it costs?? I have had the tires rotates and balanced on the computerized Hunter system, so I am pretty sure that is not the problem.

 

Thats was an alignment does. It straightens out your car's wheels so it goes straight.

 

Do you know about how much this service typically costs?

 

I paid like $90 at National Tire and Battery and i can go back as many times as I want for one year.

So lets say I run over my neighbor and i think my car is pulling to the left i can get it rechecked and fixed for nothing.

I did it not because it was pulling but because i lowered my car.

 

This might sound like a naive, or dumb question, but are national chains like NTB, Midas, etc. trustworthy for work on our cars? And would I be paying more than $90 at the dealer?

 

I don't see how they can't be trustworthy if they have stores across the US. See, if it ain't good after you get the alignment done, you can always go back, complain, and not leave until you get what you paid for.

I would assume so. Dealer = rip off in most cases

I got an alignment when I got a new set of tires to replace the stock. I think it was basically free since I bought the tires from the same shop.

 

a place that specializes in alignments will be cheaper and better than the dealer in most cases.

 

Thanks, appreciate everyones help!

 

I paid 89 at the dealer

 

Good question! I guess, it depends on the place. The one I was at several years ago, convinced me that I should never even consider places like NTB.

 

how about sears? Their align. service is about $60?

 

i usually bring mine there. i know the guy that does them and i know his work is good. i guess it comes down to where you want to bring it. they all have certified mechanics to do the work, so its mostly prefrence.

 

Rick Case in FL is $69...

still a rip-off, but it is an AckiHaus non-the-less

 

I took mine to an alignment specailty shop , my car is slammed and it only cost me 55$

 

Had mine done (00 TL) at Sears recently for $59 (Maryland). Thing to consider using the national chains (Sears, NTB, etc.). Unless you are very lucky, when you pay the advertised rate they are going to set/adjust only the toe. They probably won't touch castor or camber (can't remember which is adjustable on our cars) even if their rack says it's out of spec. Not unless you pay them more (and maybe not even then.)

 

yeah, dealer charges like 100 buks... assuming they do a good job it might be worse it, otherwise I would go to the place I trust.
I usually do wheel alignment only when needed or when I get a new set of tires...

 

ONLY go to the dealer. honda/acura use a special Laser Alignment machine, that most cheapy shops dont use. it doesnt cost much more than crap shops, so its worth it. trust me, never skimp on stuff like that.

 

Uh... almost all the reputable alignment shops have laser alignment machines. I guess Canada is lacking in the technology department

If your car is lowered, I would recommend going to alignment specialist so that the won't rape your car when they drive up the ramp. I'm dropped with comptech and I took my car to Sears. My car couldn't get on the damn machine without scraping the front. had to take it to a specialist. I paid 70 bucks.