Need to find a good alignment shop near me

[shadango]

Anyone here have a line on a Mopar-experienced alignment shop around Pittsburgh?

Close to the 15132 zip would be best.


Thanks guys.

[dodj]

There are a few members here that know a thing or two about front end geometry, HP2 comes to mind. I'd ask them for camber, caster, etc and then take those numbers to a shop and say 'set up my car like this please'.

[CHL2T]

Took the Challenger to Les Schwab on saturday far an alignment, they did a fine job, nice and straight. And for only 54 bucks, I am totally happy.

[shadango]

Took the Challenger to Les Schwab on saturday far an alignment, they did a fine job, nice and straight. And for only 54 bucks, I am totally happy.

where are you located?

Not familiar with any garages with that name......?

[CHL2T]

I am in western Wa.
Les Schwab, is a pacific northwest chain of tire/ brakes/ alignment shops.

[shadango]

Gotcha.

Headed to a Meineke shop this week.  The guy did my exhaust and did a great job fighting it so figured I'd give him a shot.

[dodj]

Did a good job on your exhaust, so let him do the alignment?
No disrespect, it just sounds funny to me.

[500Stroker]

You need to find if you can a shop that ONLY does alignments.  They most likely will have at least one employee that has worked there since the 70's or 80's and will take the time to do it correctly.  If you go to a chain shop the kid running the computer will dial it in to whatever the screen says.

A friend of mine made that mistake by going to a local chain tire center.  Was not happy with the alignment he got and went and complained to the manager.  The manager says to him look out in the shop,  see the kids I have to work with.  They do what the screen tells them to.  Gave him his money back.  then he went to my guy that I told him to use in the first place. 

You don't want to goe to Joe's hair salon, manicures and alignments.  You want Joe's alignments.

[73Chally]

Stay away from the chain shops because they typically use newer equipment, which is not necessarily a good thing for older cars.  The one-off private shops will probably be a good bet.  Just like everything else, ask around at shows.

[shadango]

Did a good job on your exhaust, so let him do the alignment?
No disrespect, it just sounds funny to me.

I had his shop do some front end work on another vehicle years back which is why I ended up going to him for the exhaust work.

I dont know about where you live, but here in the burgh they dont have "ABC Alignments"...places that do ONLY alignments....most shops do a variety of stuff....its a Meineke car care shop and they do all of the common stuff. This shop has been there for decades and the guy is honest.

I like how much time the guy spent on my exhaust , doing it RIGHT after the FIRST shop royally screwed the pooch on it.  The guy seemed to care and didnt rip me off money wise.  I should have gone there the first time, but he is 8 miles further than the other shop I chose and I was afraid of running open headers that far.  Should have braved the risk of a ticket and just gone to him.

So yeah, my exhaust guy is gonna do my alignment.   

[shadango]

Stay away from the chain shops because they typically use newer equipment, which is not necessarily a good thing for older cars.  The one-off private shops will probably be a good bet.  Just like everything else, ask around at shows.

Funny you brought that up.....

When I had my car there last spring for the exhaust, I asked about an alignment and he said he was supposed to be getting new equipment.........well, it has been a while since then and I asked if he had gotten that new equipment and he said that he hadnt....he is still using "ole reliable".   

He aint no kid either.....I'd say in his 40s like me.....not an old timer, but lets face it....if a guy was a good alignment tech back in the mid 70s, he is probably in his mid 60s or early 70s by now and retired.

[500Stroker]

Sounds like he should do a good job for you then.

[shadango]

I think he will. 

He is my best bet....all others would be untried shops.  I try and do all my own work where I can and I havent "needed" a car aligned for a while

[shadango]

Well, I had the car into the shop today and I must say they did a fine job!

I would say that my car gave them some new grey hair....lol  They spent 3 hours dialing it in just right and in the end it tracks straight!

I have to say I am still getting used to the MUCH heavier steering with the firm feel stage 3 installed.But wow what a difference.   The car corners flat now!   

[500Stroker]

Glad to hear they did a good job for you.  After a few days of driving you will not even notice the heavier steering......Unless you get to drive another old Mopar with sloppy steering.  Ya gotta love turning the wheel a 1/4" and have the car actually track left and right.