VorsprungTT

So months ago a buddy of mine with a Mazda 3 on air ride (drive's like a school bus) told me that he had a lifetime alignment grantee at the Firestone Tire Place. I thought this was a joke. He streches the truth.

I haven't had an alignment in 2 years since I first put on HPA SHS coilovers in August of 2006. Since then I have purchased H&R coilovers, swapped axles a few times, sway bars, did my clutch myself, had my subframe out countless times, defcon 1 ect ect ect. bassicaly my alignment should be really messed up by now...

Well for $160 before tax I signed up for a lifetime alignment. I clarified that I have adjustable camber kits. I'm going to need ramps to get on the lifts and I'm going to want nobody to drive the car and I want to be involved in the alignment process with custom specs. This was all okay. I also clarified that I'm planning on doing autocross events and will probably be here at least twice a month if not more. This was okay too.

So today I went down to the shop again when they had time for me. I got a nice guy named Louis. I had purchased some really hard 1' x 3.5' oak wood & used that to assist my car getting on their already pretty low ramps. He let me drive it on and helped me line it up just right. I pulled my specs out and explained my deal. He thought it was great. Everyone at the place was enthusiastic about the car. Well he spent 1 hour and 40 minutes custom tuning my camber & toe and steering angle till it was all perfect (to my specs). I worked on it with him - got my work clothing dirty as hell and loved it.

When I went in my camber was -2.5 rear both sides, just as I had left it with .08 toe - same as two years ago. These KMAC's really hold! The front was not so perfect. Two years ago I had them set it to -1.6 & -1.5 each side respectfuly & .01 of toe. Well the camber wasn't all that bad @ -1.1 on the left and -1.0 on the right but the toe was all sorts of wrong. Get this -4.something on one side -2.something on the other. Out of this world. This is what a lot of people at audiworld told me was going to be wrong.

The car left the shop with -1.0 front and -2.5 rear camber. With -.01 of toe per front side & .08 toe per rear. Cross toe is 0 all around then.

Well I just wanted to spread the word that Firestone does lifetime alignments at the cost of one alignment. If you get a guy that is willing to help - Your in good hands (and would like a tip of $25 or more to finish his day).

I'm not gonna lie I had my doubts. Half the people there thought my car was a twin turbo. One guy asked if the turbo was in the rear or the front?

Louis even put the alignment plates on my wheels without even leaving a hair-line of a scratch. I'm shocked.

This was @ the Huntington, NY Firestone on Jehrico (North side) between Oakwood rd. & RT. 110 (New York Ave.)

/end of rant </a>

TTinCT

but that rear camber setup will be the end of those tires fairly quickly.....fwiw

ClarkSJ

Sweet, gives me some faith in big-chain car service

roadyTT

yep

TTBlack

to the front and rear? I am going in for an alignment Thursday and want the specs right. I have the CPT control arms if that makes a difference.

TTinCT

<img src="http://images8.fotki.com/v160/photos/8/89907/1913901/wheelsettingszoomed-vi.jpg">

Schwing had posted some good numbers the other day too.....
key number on rear camber is -1.6 or so...too much more and you wear the rear tires prematurely..

TTBlack

Thanks Hans, I'll search for Steve's post also

TTinCT

it is a little ways down the page in my post on the alignment stuff..

TTschwing

<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/tt/msgs/1774168.phtml">From Bluechip</a></li></ul>

TTschwing

and pretty much what I ran for years..

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/105167/bluechip_alignment_specs_62708.jpg">