Alignment shop recommendations

[froggy47]

I guess we have to post this again, cause the "history" went bye bye with the old server.

And I do want to try a new alignment place. Hopefully before the event this weekend.

In particular I was told a place called "Prescotts" was good (or something close to that) Was it in La Mesa?

Requirements are simple that they will align to YOUR specs - NOT factory specs and I like to sit in the car too. Depending on how heavy & stiffly sprung your car is this makes a difference (or not).

Thanks for any suggestions.

[awesom-o]

You might want to check out Beeline in Balboa/PB.
http://www.beelinebrakes.com/
I heard a lot of good things about them and took my (lowered) WRX there looking for as much negative camber as they could get. The owner came out and talked to me about what they did with my car and also mentioned that he had done a lot of alignments on trackday Miatas. So it sounds like they know their stuff.
I've also heard really good news (for me :) ) about their alignments on STIs, which are becoming notorious for not being able to hold much neg. camber in the front wheels. I guess they grind down a little nub on the strut that the camber bolt sits against when max neg. camber is dialed in; without the nub they're able to get more camber and it stays put. I know this doesn't help with your application, but it shows that they're resourceful and willing to do some work.
The only bad thing I have heard is that their equipment is old and someone complained about a scratched caliper or rim or something.
They are family owned/operated and have been around for nearly 50 years.

[froggy47]

Thank you:)

[cshodges]

In particular I was told a place called "Prescotts" was good (or something close to that) Was it in La Mesa?

The place in La Mesa is Preston's Tire & Wheel (http://www.prestonstire.com/).

[itrbruce]

A long time reputable shop in Kearny Mesa is Clarence Brown Alignment at 7747 Vickers off Convoy. Ph 858 565 2981. Good work, won't screw you (by getting you to do something you don't need), but a bit on the pricey side.

[SD MR2]

I also go to Clarence Brown and have found them to be honest and reliable.

-Andy

[frosty]

About how much should one of these performance alignments cost? I've just got bone-stock and want to stay in DS, so nothing too crazy (just as much negative camber as a stock car can handle).

[froggy47]

Align to YOUR specs should cost the same, usually no "warranty" on the alignment (obviously). I would not go anywhere & ask for a "performance" alignment. You need to know what spec you want. One align guys idea of performance is very different than another's.

[frosty]

So other than saying something like "give me as much negative camber as my stock parts allow," what else is there that should be considered in a performance alignment?

[woodrufj]

So other than saying something like "give me as much negative camber as my stock parts allow," what else is there that should be considered in a performance alignment?Toe and Caster. As much caster as possible. Toe is very sensitive and individual, so I have no recommendations other than do your homework.

Read the SCCA rules. Alignment within normal adjuments is okay. But often times when you tell the wrench jockey, 'give me camber', he pulls out the die grinder. This is illegal in many classes. There are some minor rule bits about crash bolts and TSBs that can allow outside normal range adjusments. I'd suggest you research with Subie guys about such things.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

[frosty]

Ok, I'll be sure to do my research.

[wheelstorejoe]

We can do performance alignments to your specs or to our reccommendations. We also due corner balancing- scaling of cars and other suspension installs and sales. We operate our Speed World Challenge Touring Car Mazda 6 and our Drift Mazdaspeed Miata and our Spec Miata from this shop.

We are also an alternative source for wheels and tires and are the san diego MOTON, Eibach, Progress, Vogtland and other suspension distributor.

We are a large Toyo dealer.

You can check us out at our www.wheelstores.com

or www.protomitiveracing.com

Wheelstores.com
208 S Coast Hwy
Oceanside,CA 92054
760-967-1336
joe@wheelstores.com

Best Regards,

Joe Jordan

[frosty]

I'll add my alignment shop recommendation.

Dan's Precision Alignment
760-753-0481
(Mention you were refered by Cliff Rhyne and get $20 off; although you might be able to mention just about anyone and have it work)

I made an appointment with Dan, took my car in and discussed with him what I'm looking for and he gave some recommendations and told me some long-term things I could think about (but above all, learn to drive the new car first). It took him about 2 hours total and now my WRX has a lot of camber.

The "to your specs" alignment is $130 (after referal discount), and the regular alignment is $70. He includes a check-up about 1k miles after to see how it's doing.

[froggy47]

The "to your specs" alignment is $130 (after referal discount), and the regular alignment is $70. He includes a check-up about 1k miles after to see how it's doing.

Gotta love free enterprise. If factory says toe = 0 it'll cost you $70, but twist that tie rod 1/8 of a turn more and it's double the price. Well at least that's better than some shops that won't do anything except factory alignment. Good to have another on the list.

:D

[frosty]

Gotta love free enterprise. If factory says toe = 0 it'll cost you $70, but twist that tie rod 1/8 of a turn more and it's double the price. Well at least that's better than some shops that won't do anything except factory alignment. Good to have another on the list.

:D

Well, for toe, he was experimenting with the play of the suspension as the toe changes as the suspension compresses / expands (so there's a bit of trial and error. If it was just toe, then I'd be sort of saying the same thing. He worked pretty hard to get that negative camber (within the stock tolerances but much more than the stock setup). I think it would have only taken him about an hour to do it to the stock specs.

[froggy47]

I was just (sort of) kidding. I once paid $320 for an alignment at Dick Gulstrand's Race Shop in Culver City (took like 2 hours each way to drive there and back).

Dick G. is a famous old Corvette driver & a nice guy, but I think I got charged a premium for the "experience" of being with the master.

I'm always looking for a good shop that does customer align specs so keep the thread going.

If you are happy with how it handles then it's worth every penny.

:D

[mievil]

I went to BeeLine per the recommendation found on this site, and was pretty pleased. 4 wheel alignment to my spec on the Focus was $59.95 with a six month warranty. After not being too happy with the camber up front (uncorrectable without plates) I took it home, messed with a few things, and brought it back, and they did another measurement (not adjustment) for free. Nice guys too.

[lost won]

I was just (sort of) kidding. I once paid $320 for an alignment at Dick Gulstrand's Race Shop in Culver City (took like 2 hours each way to drive there and back).
:D

Kinda' dating yerself there, Bob. Dick Guldstrand's shop has been in Burbank for a loong time... What, are you as old as I am? ;)

John

Back on thread : True Line Alignment, either in Kearney Mesa or El Cajon,
are honest, reliable shops that will do what you need.
It's always best if you know the alignment specs you
want up front - caster, camber, and toe.
http://www.truelinewheel.com/ (http://www.truelinewheel.com/)

[froggy47]

Kinda' dating yerself there, Bob. Dick Guldstrand's shop has been in Burbank for a loong time... What, are you as old as I am? ;)

John

Back on thread : True Line Alignment, either in Kearney Mesa or El Cajon,
are honest, reliable shops that will do what you need.
It's always best if you know the alignment specs you
want up front - caster, camber, and toe.
http://www.truelinewheel.com/ (http://www.truelinewheel.com/)

My bad, it was Burbank, they are both somewhere up around LA aren't they?

:D