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Pyrcide
User

Sep 6, 2011, 6:05 PM

Post #1 of 5 (2050 views)
Alignment... Sign In

1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
3.8 SE (no sc)
166k

This forum has been helpful in the past, and I try to help as much as I can. 2 years ago I took my car in for a front end alignment. They told me the sway bar was broke, the rotors were shot, and the tie rods were crap, so they wouldnt do the alignment, and charged me for telling me I'm screwed. Since then I have replaced the rotors and tie rods (with brand new ones), and welded the stabalizer bar back together. This was only a few weeks ago that I have done the repairs, and the car was barely driven from the first diagnosis, as it sat in my garage awaiting a new motor.
So after the repairs I made, the sway bar, the rotors, and the tie rods, I take it back in for a regular front end alignment. Once again, I go to pick up the car today and they tell me I'm screwed. Can't do an aligment, your wheel bearings are loose, and more blah blah blah... that added up to $1400. Obviuosly the shop is trying to screw me. I just want my front tires straight. They are whistling really bad, and very uneven tread wear, I dont want to soak another 2 grand into this car to get my front tires aligned. Surely you can all feel my frustration. I just ask if anyone can give me some advice as to getting this front end better aligned until I can afford the repairs. Any comments or help are more than welcome. Thank you


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 6, 2011, 6:10 PM

Post #2 of 5 (2048 views)
Re: Alignment... Sign In

Why don't you try a different shop and see what they say. I know there are many, not so honest front end shops out there. They make their money by finding things wrong. Some have been known to exaggerate.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Sep 6, 2011, 6:30 PM

Post #3 of 5 (2042 views)
Re: Alignment... Sign In

Welded the stabilizer bar? Are your wheel bearings loose? If so, your camber and toe would be out every time you hit a bump. First order before performing an alignment is visual inspection and so far they were right on the things you decided to replace and repair yourself.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


re-tired
Veteran / Moderator
re-tired profile image

Sep 6, 2011, 8:11 PM

Post #4 of 5 (2028 views)
Re: Alignment... Sign In

As HT alluded to . A second opinion is the best way to protect yourself from unscrupulous individual doctors , contractors , mechanics and other professionals.


LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH


zmame
Veteran / Moderator
zmame profile image

Sep 7, 2011, 4:42 AM

Post #5 of 5 (2018 views)
Re: Alignment... Sign In

As far as setting the allignment on the car the sway bar wouldn't have much to do with your reading.. but if a link was broken and going to damage to other components I would have mentioned it. Tie rods, balljoint, bushing and wheel bearings have to have no play to have a proper allignment done.. that little bit of play can mess with your numbers.






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