Firestone Front End Alignment

[mapman97]

Hey All,

Every 5 to 8000 miles I go to Firestone and get my 5-tire rotation done. And, every time the person at the front desk insist that I get a 4-wheel alignment. They show me the slight feathering of the front tires, but I tell them it goes away after a couple thousand miles. Should I let them align for $80 or continue saying not interested. I don't drive off road, but I have put over 75,000 miles on her. Thanks again.

Will Sum.

 

[p m]

There is no 4 wheel alignment on your truck.
The only alignment there is the toe-in/out. Tell them to go pound sand.

 

[bendts]

Just for a laugh I'd ask them to show you how its done.

 

[p m]

Just for a laugh I'd ask them to show you how its done.

It'll be almost like listening to a transmission shop mechanic explanations of how a transfer case with a limited slip center differential works.

 

[best4x4]

I just went to Firestone after my lift so that the steering would be correct. Firestone flat out told me they DO NOT touch Land Rover's and I must go to a frame/body/driveshaft place. I used to hang out at the LR dealership in Austin, TX all the time, and they put all the D90/RRC/D1/D2/P38's on a 4 wheel alignment rack, but I'm pretty sure they just did the toe in/out.

Firestone kinda pissed me off acting like my LR was European trash and it has to have the frame straightened for the alignment..... Oh well ignorance is bliss, I'll just find another place to adjust it for me.

 

[p m]

I used to hang out at the LR dealership in Austin, TX all the time,

How does one "hang out" at the dealership?

 

[ukoffroad]

Just for a laugh I'd ask them to show you how its done.

I did the same thing at a Firestone in Richmond years ago. I asked them to show me what to adjust, and he said he would have to double check the manual. When I suggested they put it on the lift so we could all go look the younger tech nearby started to giggle a bit.

 

[best4x4]

Very simple, I'd finish my service calls (ATM Tech), and then drive my 97 Range Rover down to the Austin LR Dealership where my two of my best friends worked. I would go to lunch with them, help with repairs, learn tricks of the trade, pickup up some misc parts, and then at 6:00 head out when the service department closed.

When I moved from Austin, TX I said my goodbye's to everyone at the LR Dealership, and some thought I actually worked there!!! Service Manager had offered me a job as a LR Tech, but I couldn't afford to take that kind of hit in my pay (would have been worth it once I got certified). Owner of the dealership didn't like me back there sometimes, but we'd just park my Range Rover in a stall to make it look like it was being worked on.

I loved hanging out there, and learned a lot about LR's. In fact the Service Manager had me upgrade all their T4 LR Diag Laptops for the newer LR3's and Range Rovers because no other computer tech's in town wanted to touch them.

 

[p m]

Very simple, I'd finish my service calls (ATM Tech), and then drive my 97 Range Rover down to the Austin LR Dealership where my two of my best friends worked. I would go to lunch with them, help with repairs, learn tricks of the trade, pickup up some misc parts, and then at 6:00 head out when the service department closed.

You beat me. I normally don't even have lunch, much less spend half a day at a place where I don't work but other people have to do something other than chat with me. But - to each his own.

 

[best4x4]

Like I said I helped, and I was asked to work there and I upgraded their T4's. I wasn't just bumming off the techs or LR Dealership. It wasn't everyday, but I was down there a lot. Had I not grown up knowing half the people there it would be different. I knew them when my mom used to have a RRC and she took it there for service.

 

[p m]

No judgment, pure envy on my part.

Some of the shops I used to go to had a sign of this sort (long time ago, and not necessarily in this sequence):
"Labor rate: $25/hr. If you've worked on it: $35/hr. If you're watching: $55/hr. If you're helping: $80/hr."

 

[best4x4]

Haha yeah I know some small town shops like that. When my Range Rover was parked in the back and I was out by it no one ever looked up or cared lol. Service Manager was fine with me being back there. He'd inform me if the owner was going to be around and I wouldn't go back there. Once I upgraded the T4's and was offered a job I never really had anyone bother me. I completely understand the risk though if someone was to go back there and get hurt. I'm sure these days I wouldn't be allowed anywhere back there, but I work on my own stuff now so no need.

 

[Timmy!!!!!!!]

I just went to Firestone after my lift so that the steering would be correct. Firestone flat out told me they DO NOT touch Land Rover's and I must go to a frame/body/driveshaft place. I used to hang out at the LR dealership in Austin, TX all the time, and they put all the D90/RRC/D1/D2/P38's on a 4 wheel alignment rack, but I'm pretty sure they just did the toe in/out.

Firestone kinda pissed me off acting like my LR was European trash and it has to have the frame straightened for the alignment..... Oh well ignorance is bliss, I'll just find another place to adjust it for me.

I am surprised Beaumont doesn't have a LR dealership yet. With all the ambulance chaser money that floats around there I figured the soccer moms would all have Range Rovers. ( I used to live on the West End of town)

 

[best4x4]

All the soccer moms are running around in lifted JKU's with 37's and silly slogans on the hood.. Only LR's cruising around are LR3/LR4, Range Rover 03+, and Range Rover Sports.

I haven't seen a RRC, or D1 in Beaumont yet. I have seen a couple D2's but thats it. Being so close to Houston I doubt we'll ever get a LR Dealership in Beaumont.

 

[slangel]

How does one "hang out" at the dealership?

When we lived closer to the Austin dealership, I did the same. Stop by, several of us would have lunch, one of the techs helped me out often and would be paid in beer. I am friends with quite a few people there outside of the dealership. It's one of the more laid back dealerships that I have been at.

 

[slangel]

All the soccer moms are running around in lifted JKU's with 37's and silly slogans on the hood.. Only LR's cruising around are LR3/LR4, Range Rover 03+, and Range Rover Sports.

I haven't seen a RRC, or D1 in Beaumont yet. I have seen a couple D2's but thats it. Being so close to Houston I doubt we'll ever get a LR Dealership in Beaumont.

There are quite a few in the Beaumont area, surprised you haven't seen any D1's or RRC's!

 

[best4x4]

Not a single D1 besides mine. I saw one RRC on I-10, but it was passing thru.