Now that I've lowered my max I guess I need to get it aligned. Should I go to the dealer or to any alignment place and what should I expect to pay? Oh.. and how long does it normally take?

 

I recently had a 4 wheel alignment done at the dealer, it cost $59.99 and took about 30 min. My left tire was slightly off but enough to cause a slight drift to the right on the highway. Ask them to give you a printout of before and after the alignment. If anyone is interested, I can post mine. You don't have to take it to the dealer since you are lowered and alignment warranty is void, perhaps a Firestone station would do just as good of a job? They have a lifetime alignment package that may be worth it if you plan on keeping the car a few more years.

 

I have a new SE (2000K miles) and have had the car in twice for a "left hand lean" and it caught my attention that you said yours does the same. Could you post your results or just email them to me? Thanks

 

Just wondering--
what is Firestone's lifetime warranty on their alignments? I haven't had any good experiences with them...though...

 

Colonel, I will scan the printout later and post it. The left tire was off by just +1.1 (I think the limit was 1.0) but after the adjustment my car tracks better. The lifetime alignment at Firestone costs more but might be worth it in the long term. FYI, I haven't used them but my friends have.

 

How much does the Firestone Lifetime Alignment cost?

 

your best bet is to take it to aftermarket wheels shop and let them do it. i would also recommend getting a camber correction kit as well!

 

I have aftermarket 17in. wheels and I notice that my car pulls to the right. I can't remember if it did it with the stock 16in. wheels. The car only has 1000mi. on it. Should I take it back to the dealer for an alignment check, or are they gonna blame it on the new wheels?

 

It depends. Places like Firestone can only adjust the toe settings front and rear. They can measure the caster and camber but typically cannot do anything about it. You just have to hope they are within specs. If the camber is beyond 1.0 neg, then it's probably out of spec. But you could buy some camber bolts and ask then to fiddle with it to get it back into spec.

If you go to a good frame/alignment shop(ie.. Foster's in Georgetown-south Seattle or Tru-Line in downtown seattle) they can not only check camber, caster, toe but also make minor adjustments to correct it. They are probably more expensive but you get what you pay for in these cases.

 

If you have firestone just pay the extra and get lifetime aligment
I do this and get my car aligned every month

 

Hmmmmmmmmmm. GOT RICE?

 

Just called my local Firestone and the Lifetime Alignment for the Max runs $149. Hmmm...should I?

 

Here is a scan of my alignment printout: