Alignment issue

what should i tell another alignment shop? just to take it to 2.6? i just want to make sure i'm not going to F anything up

 

FTW - In my experience the dealership gave me the best alignments. They aligned mine 2 weeks ago and I was still not completely happy. When they called to follow up on my service I told them I wanted it better. So next the Service Director at Toyota dealership called me back and offered to redo it until I was happy. I took it back and now it is better than new.

I found a good alignment tech at Firestone. The guy set up suspension for circle track racers. He knew his stuff. The first time he got it perfect but it took him some time. The next trip, I think the Service manager limited his time on my truck and it was not as good as the first time.

I just wondered if the Technicians are just pushed to get a lot done and don't always get the time to make it right?

 

As a Toyota tech, I'd highly recommend you find another shop to do your alignment. A lot of Techs are just plain lazy, don't like lifts, and are pretty much only in it for the money.

Look in your home town forum, and find a local guy who does alignments on lifts. When I worked for Mitsubishi, we had guys that would only adjust the toe on Montero Sport's, due to the fact that you had to shim the upper control arm on those to get your adjustments. Too much like work for some guys.

 

thanks for the advice guys, will do.

 

so i called to talk to the service manager at toyota and he said he would get his most expirienced alignment guy to bring it back in and allow me to go back with him through the process to get it where i want it. we'll see how it goes.

And to issue number two, while adjusting my tire pressure yestarday i noticed all four wheels have scratches on the outer lip of the wheel down to bare metal, im assuming from the alignment machine, def. werent there before hand. i brought this up as well and he said he will have the guy that does wheel repairs fix it for me. the only problem he is having, i have the matte black FJ TT wheels and he doesnt know if they can get the paint to match. WTF?

its just one thing after another with them

 

also does any one have or know of a document on how to do the alignment? so i can read up before hand. just would like to be knowledgeable on the process before i get there.

 

if the dealer cant do it / make it right
just bring it in to me

 

they get one more shot, mainly cause they ARE gonna fix my wheels, the scratches to metal on the black wheels stands out bad. If its still fucked after they try agian, making the trek to north jersey to go see dave.

 

also as far as them refering to the asscentric, is that the "bolt" used to adjust the caster? How could adjusting the caster any further possibly ruin the asscentric?

 

Bump

 

how did you make out at dealer

 

still waiting on them to figure out how they are gonna fix my wheels. should know by monday. this storm probably threw a wrench in that though.

 

ok keep us posted

 

The bolts are shaped like an egg, and if you crank 'em back and forth too much, sometimes the tabs either break off, or bend on the frame.

 

So i got a call from the service manager last night, he say he talked to the wheel guy and says they "should" be able to fix them but the finish may be a little different. Yeah, no. So i told him that was unacceptable, why should i get a product back different than what i paid for when the damage was caused by your equipment? he then asked well are you saying you want me to replace the wheels? i said yes, IF you cant get the finish to match how they were when i brought them in. i was very tacktfull with him but am getting close to loosing it. is my request wrong? i mean they did the damage, its their responsibility to fix it back to how it was. sorry just venting a little.

 

find out what the next step is if he fixs the wheels and you dont like it
But keep your cool

 

Just got a call from the dealership, he said they have the wheels on order. I guess keeping a level head and being tacktfull prevailed. Now to see whats gonna happen with the alignment.