Recommendations for service in San Antonio

[BrettinSanAntonio]

I’m often asked, “Where can I take my Land Cruiser for service in San Antonio”?

Well, for those without the technical knowledge or time to turn your own wrenches, there are two places I can highly recommend in San Antonio.

1. Cornerstone Automotive
14630 Blanco RdSan Antonio, TX78216
(210) 479-1901

www.cornerstoneautomotive.com

Cornerstone works on all makes and models of cars and trucks but it’s very common to see FJ40 and FJ60 Land Cruisers in their service bays. Their reputation for honesty and integrity seems to have found its way to classic Land Cruiser owners in the San Antonio area. I know of two FJ40’s they’ve totally rebuilt mechanically.

Cornerstone is located just south of Bitters Rd on Blanco, right next to the Whataburger.


2. The Dealer Alternative
951 E Bitters RdSan Antonio, TX78216
(210) 545-1777
(210) 930-2300

Specializing in late model Lexus and Toyota vehicles

The Dealer Alternative has one of the cleanest shops in town but the real edge for this facility is the contingent of owners/mechanics that left the San Antonio Lexus dealership to start their own shop. These guys know the product line and have the diagnostic equipment made especially for Lexus and Toyota vehicles. I don’t know if they work on older Land Cruisers but they are very good with FZJ80 trucks.
I recently had them diagnose an intermittent problem that two other shops couldn’t find and they had it nailed in a half hour with their Lexus diagnostic equipment. One of my O2 sensors would flake out just enough to throw and engine code but not enough to appear bad. Problem solved.

The Dealer Alternative is located about two blocks east of Hwy 281 on Bitters Rd., just behind the Sonic.

[rrdogma]

I second Brett's recommendation of Cornerstone. When I mentioned the horrible experience I had at another shop, he suggested Cornerstone. I found them to be very ethical, reasonable, and performed the work on schedule as promised. They felt two repairs were beyond their expertise due to the age of the vehicle and did not hesitate to tell me so. I appreciate that kind of integrity.

If anyone has a suggestion as to where I should take the old girl for wheel bearings/seals/etc. let me know. Old girl being a much loved '82 FJ40

Kelly

[BrettinSanAntonio]

Originally Posted by rrdogma

If anyone has a suggestion as to where I should take the old girl for wheel bearings/seals/etc. let me know. Old girl being a much loved '82 FJ40

Kelly

We might have that kind of talent within our ranks. Anyone? We should discuss this at our next gathering.

[rrdogma]

Are we meeting again on November 1st?

Thanks!

Kelly

[BrettinSanAntonio]

Yes, Nov. 1 is the next meeting time.

I'm going to look for another meeting place this weekend. A restaraunt with seperate rooms or eating area would be ideal. If anyone can recommend a place that has a somewhat central location, please do so.

Originally Posted by rrdogma

Are we meeting again on November 1st?

Thanks!

Kelly

[cool breeze]

Yeah, cornerstone did me right also. I went there on Brett recommends to get rid of some play in the steering wheel. Took NIB tre's thinking that was it and once they had it on they said my old ones looked fine. I had them replace them anyway and ordered the part they thought was the problem which was some ten dollar bushings....problem fixed.

Honest, professional and timely...what else could you want!

[Darwood]

Brett, didn't you also once mention an alignment shop that would align the vehicle and adjust the panhards properly?

[BrettinSanAntonio]

Yes, I think it was Alamo or San Antonio Alignment on South Alamo Street.

Funny you should mention that because I have an appointment set up for Friday at 4Wheel Parts on Broadway. I thought I’d give them a try since they’re closer. I can’t imagine them doing it wrong since they’re used to modified 4x4’s. I’ll post a review after I get the alignment completed.

Originally Posted by Darwood

Brett, didn't you also once mention an alignment shop that would align the vehicle and adjust the panhards properly?

[Darwood]

Originally Posted by BrettinSanAntonio

Yes, I think it was Alamo or San Antonio Alignment on South Alamo Street.

Funny you should mention that because I have an appointment set up for Friday at 4Wheel Parts on Broadway. I thought I’d give them a try since they’re closer. I can’t imagine them doing it wrong since they’re used to modified 4x4’s. I’ll post a review after I get the alignment completed.

Hi Brett, how did the alingment go? Is the alignment shop you mentioned before the following?

Alamo Frame & Aligning
1627 N Alamo

I need to get my Subaru aligned and am hoping to find a place that will do a custom alignment.

[Bear80]

How custom do you need on your alignment? My pickup's front suspension takes different specs due to the arms and then I have my own preferences. I bought Firestone's liftime and they don't have any issue setting the alignment to whatever I ask. However, I have had beef with some of the work and some times before it left the rack I had to ask to correct the tire rod end centering and correctly torquing the cam adjusters.

[Darwood]

Not too custom since I can only adjust the suspension the stock amount which consists of a few degrees of front camber and front and rear toe. Right now I'm just looking for max front camber (should be around -1.5 degress) and 0 toe all around. Really I'm wanting a good job with some precision.

Also ideally I'd like to find a place that will adjust the rear upper control arms on the 80 since I'm not confident the thrust angle is right. I've learned that if those arms back there can easily change the thrust angle.

[BrettinSanAntonio]

Derek, I never made it over there. It's a good thing too because I had to replace a few suspension components. I've heard really good things about them and I know that's where a lot of the Mercedes and Porsch guys go. I'll be going there in the new future.

[Bear80]

I would think that the lower arms would affect thrust angle more than the upper arms. However, NTB will do a measurement sweep for free, which should include thrust numbers. You might want to run it by them just to check. If it's off maybe take it home, adjust an arm and take it back. They might get tired of you after a while though hehe.

[nspctr1]

Originally Posted by BrettinSanAntonio

We might have that kind of talent within our ranks. Anyone? We should discuss this at our next gathering.

Let's not drop this.... I think that once it warms up we could meet somewhere and get this done in a half a day easy... with the right people, tools etc.

[rrdogma]

Originally Posted by nspctr1

Let's not drop this.... I think that once it warms up we could meet somewhere and get this done in a half a day easy... with the right people, tools etc.

I'm all for it. I sent a note to the group for input on dates etc. I will also bring a calendar to our next meeting, February 7.