As the title states, I am having trouble getting an alignment. I've have seen many people here on the forums use Firestone and their lifetime alignment, but the two Firestones I went to said they could not do it for me since my car is lowered. I then tried a local mechanic and an STS Tire shop.

I just recently put on Tokico Blues with H&R Springs, and need an alignment. When I went to Firestone, they got pissed and told me NO! lol kinda strange the way the guy answered me, then STS said they only have specs for OEM setup, and that they would would need the manufactures (Tokico) specs to align my car correct.

I'm a noob so I'm not sure what I should do next. Can they just align it so "the car drives straight" (phrasing from STS guy)? Any help is greatly appreciated. Im lost here...

 

i got rejected only cuz i was waaay to low... like.. having the frame 2.2 inches off the ground... the owner was like.. i'lll be happy to do it for you.. jut raise it up a TAD bit just enough to get it up on the rack...

don't think they should reject you for a mild drop... try other firestone shops.

 

It depends on which alignment machine the Firestone has.

The new ones can accommodate lowered cars, then there are the old machines that can't. I take my car to a Firestone with the new $30k alignment rack and they're happy to deal with my car. I'm dropped on Koni Yellows with Neuspeed Race springs...LOW...but, I have been rejected from other Firestones and oddly enough, they said NO in the meanest way possible to me too. I almost got into a fistfight with the manager at a Firestone by my house when I first went in.

You really shouldn't have any problem with H&R springs. Are they sport or race?

BTW, you can just tell them to use the specs for the 04 Base TL, they're all the same. Camber can't be adjusted though if you don't have a camber kit.

 

Just use the OEM specs, unless you want more camber dialed in (you'll need a camber kit as noted above). In that case, tell them the specs to use.

 

when you go in, tell them beforehand that the only thing they need to adjust is the toe and that the camber and caster are non-adjustable so they know it won't take that long. then tell them you just want the toe brought as close to factory specs as possible. they'll realize it's going to take <30 minutes.

 

Where is this firestone? Please share :P

 

I am having trouble getting a wheel alignment as well. I am in canada tho and they are acting like there are no lowered car on the road anywhere. As soon as I tell them my car is lowered they just say NO NO can't do it. I am only 1.5" lowered and noone wants to do it.

 

I'm on sport springs so I'm only lowered a lil more than an inch. I wanted to go to firestone since they have the lifetime alignment. Paying $75 for someone to align my toe in less than 30 minutes seems to be a bit much.

 

Wow. I got my alignment done at a local reputable joint, and there were no questions asked. I paid $75 for the toe adjustment, but I think that is going to be your going rate pretty much anywhere. It took less than 20 minutes.

People refusing services like a basic alignment on a small drop is just plain silly in my book. It's probably a liability issue in their eyes, but there is no reason for the attitudes that some of you have been getting.

I lawled about the guy above almost getting into a fist-fight with somebody at one of the shops. That would have gotten you far in your quest for a better alignment.

 

Firestone in Encino on Ventura Blvd...818-343-0352

Never had any problems with them, and they actually know what they're doing. My car is low low low...I tell them the specs I want and they do it no problem. No bullshit about liability and only setting a car to factory specs.

The one where they had no idea what they were doing were West LA (on santa monica blvd; wanted to punch out the manager), and Hollywood.

 

Sport springs shouldn't be a problem anywhere...even on the old alignment racks. You don't even need a camber kit.

Just take your car in and say it's stock, I doubt they'll even notice.

 

You shouldn't worry too much about getting an alignment at Firestone. Most places will honor it. You have go talk to them like you know what you're talking about, though. My Firestone will align all four of my wheels all day...build a relationship with them, and definitely get the Lifetime Alignment.

 

x2

 

Since I don't have a camber kit, and won't be getting one, all they can do is correct the toe? Is that what everyone gets adjusted with their lowered cars without camber kits?

 

yea, if u don't have a camber kit the only thing u can adjust is the toe. if the toe is good then the tire wear due to negative camber will be minimal. you don't need a camber kit unless you have really severe negative camber (huge drop) or you don't like how the wheels look with negative camber.

 

I got rejected by three Firestones before i found one that could get me on their lift. I used the Firestone on 157 street and Northern Blvd in Flushing Queens.

 

well if the car isnt driving straight now and it was before you dropped it... theres a problem because if the spring and struts were installed correctly it would be driving straight. a couple of reasons it may not be driving straight is.... springs were incorrectly installed (they need to be installed in a specific way), maybe a bushing is no good, maybe a link is no good.

 

and i agree with wasup....get the toe as close to stock as possible.

 

im having big problems with my 04 tl also. i have mine droped 2" all around with a camber kit that adjusts camber and toe. and no 1 can get it dialed in right