Firestone Lifetime alignment

[GeoffM]

I finally got one!
Out the door at $190. The techs were friendly and said I could come back
whenever. Everything went fairly well. The tech couldn't figure out that the
right rear front lower control arm adjusting bolt was supposed to move separately. He wanted me
to go home, clean it out and reassemble for another alignment. I said fine,
really only thinking of soaking it in anti-sieze.

My sheets:

['93CB7Ex]

shits awesome. ive had it for over a year and get an alignment every month or so.

[Granite CB7]

Rear toe adjusters commonly seize up due to the tight tolerance + rust, good luck! The through bolt is supposed to be separate from the bushing, but on northern cars mostly, the bolt and center sleeve fuse together.

[deevergote]

I got turned away from one Firestone because I'm lowered. It was the one Firestone near me that has a low-profile rack, too! That's where the Corvette guys go. They said they don't touch modified cars (understandably... it's a liability.)
I dropped my car at another Firestone and didn't tell them it was modified. Dropped the keys on the counter, picked up my car an hour later. Done.

Of course, my rear tires began cupping just after that alignment, so I think they screwed up. :/

[GeoffM]

I asked them if it was still good even if I rebuilt the suspension, stock or otherwise.
They said if I rebuilt it every week (see my autozone threads) no one there would complain. Every part would be new and non rusty.
If I rebuilt it and lowered it, they could still align it, I would just need to provide my own alignment specs.
Before he aligned it, the guy who drove it said it drove very well for a 93. I was very happy. I also let him know most of the suspension is new

[Tnwagn]

As a Bridgestone employee, thanks for helping fund my paycheck!

Every Firestone location is a little different in what they'll throw up on the racks. The large majority will not touch cars with modified suspensions, not because they would loose in court, but because they don't want to have the hassle of going to court. Plus, it's such a small percentage of the population, they aren't loosing much businesses. This is especially true for people like us who have modified cars that are constantly tweaking suspensions and are paying ~$200 for thousands of dollars worth of alignments over the life of the car.

When I met with the head of Firestone Retail during travels a month ago I told him that the Lifetime Alignment program was the greatest thing since sliced bread! They really like it because the majority of people that get the plan either forget they have it and go somewhere else or don't come in more than twice with that vehicle. It's a win win (except for people like us, but it's a minor loss for major gains).

The locations are in the process of getting updated stores. Most of this has to do with the waiting areas, but the new HawkEye alignment systems are also being rolled out. Those things don't even require a sensor to be bolted to the wheel, so there's no worry of them scratching up your rims. The in-ground racks are also a huge improvement of the drive-up racks that are still pretty much everywhere, including most Firestones.

Sorry to go text crazy, just felt like sharing a little information from a first hand source.

[GeoffM]

As a Bridgestone employee, thanks for helping fund my paycheck!

Every Firestone location is a little different in what they'll throw up on the racks. The large majority will not touch cars with modified suspensions, not because they would loose in court, but because they don't want to have the hassle of going to court. Plus, it's such a small percentage of the population, they aren't loosing much businesses. This is especially true for people like us who have modified cars that are constantly tweaking suspensions and are paying ~$200 for thousands of dollars worth of alignments over the life of the car.

When I met with the head of Firestone Retail during travels a month ago I told him that the Lifetime Alignment program was the greatest thing since sliced bread! They really like it because the majority of people that get the plan either forget they have it and go somewhere else or don't come in more than twice with that vehicle. It's a win win (except for people like us, but it's a minor loss for major gains).

The locations are in the process of getting updated stores. Most of this has to do with the waiting areas, but the new HawkEye alignment systems are also being rolled out. Those things don't even require a sensor to be bolted to the wheel, so there's no worry of them scratching up your rims. The in-ground racks are also a huge improvement of the drive-up racks that are still pretty much everywhere, including most Firestones.

Sorry to go text crazy, just felt like sharing a little information from a first hand source.

I don't know what the difference is with most of those racks. Sorry
I was perplexed when he put those things on my wheels though.

I also made sure to ask if Prothane (urethane) suspensions would be a problem. Not at all.

I think Autozone has the same theory. Lifetime parts, most people forget about it.

[deevergote]

Yeah. These days, at least in American society, people own cars for a short period of time... and the average person doesn't pay strict attention to maintenance.

Hell, I'm an enthusiast. I've owned my CB7 for 11 years, and I don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. I've only used my alignment plan once. I have to use it 2 more times for it to be a savings. At this point, I just paid for one really fucking expensive alignment!

['93CB7Ex]

never had a problem about getting my car aligned due to slammage.

[deevergote]

I think it depends on who does it... and who you talk to. I talked to the store manager. If the place gets sued because someone did something they shouldn't have to a modified car, it's HIS ass... so he was probably more careful than the 30something lackey that I dumped it on at the next place!

[GeoffM]

Yeah. These days, at least in American society, people own cars for a short period of time... and the average person doesn't pay strict attention to maintenance.

Hell, I'm an enthusiast. I've owned my CB7 for 11 years, and I don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. I've only used my alignment plan once. I have to use it 2 more times for it to be a savings. At this point, I just paid for one really fucking expensive alignment!

lol.

My girlfriend and I were walking around a dealer lot today and I saw am absolutely gorgeous 7th gen. Silver, 2 dr, black leather interior with silver metal accents. Dark tint.

Without realizing it, I started talking to him telling him how much I wanted it. I told him I'd be back...... shit. I just fixed everything on my car and am going to keep it till it falls apart. I won't be back for years!

[GeoffM]

More on topic, do those numbers look decent?

[Bad_dude]

Well, I have not gotten an alignment for 2 years now. It only cost me $35 for all 4 wheels with the computerized alignment. I drive real careful and never drop hard on speed bumps or hitting the curb. I avoids roads with big holes and all. The tires are over 3 years old and still got over 50% life left and all wear out evenly. I am totally stock and still original parts other than the ball joint boots which I replaced 4 years ago.

[deevergote]

$35? That's about half what most places charge. You got a deal!
You should have it done again and see if it's still in spec... or take it somewhere that does a free check (some do, as they know most people that have it checked will need the alignment done.)

[wed3k]

my shop does machine work for firestone, tech's there are retarded.

built a brand new head for a subaru (only one side?) and left a tag that said, "Adjust valves"

They call back saying that the valves make a lot of noise...they probably adjusted it on overlap and they never called back. it means they fixed it themselves...

ill never goto firestone for an alignment, always wheel works or do it myself if i can ever find an alignment rack.