Alignment (and best Alignment shops in Houston)

[mooneywa]

All,

Shortly after buying my lightly used 2015, I took it in for an alignment. It wasn't necessarily "pulling" right, but if the steering wheel was centered up, it would drive left. They fixed it marginally, but not great. Of course they want to look at it again, but that's caveated with "well you could have left here and hit a pothole on the way home and knocked it out of alignment again.

First, does this hold water? Second, has anyone had an alignment issues and if so was there anything special you should add when getting your truck aligned?

Last, any recommendations for places to get alignment done? I've heard good things about Firestone. I took the truck originally to Tejas Toyota in Humble, but the reviews aren't great in general about the place, even though I had a pretty decent experience. I know there's lots of Houston folks on here, so wouldn't mind hearing someone chime in.

Thanks!

 

[mark71]

I call BS on the pothole excuse.

 

[mooneywa]

I agree, but I'm tempted to go back in the hope that I didn't waste $95 on the first alignment.

 

[kreiten]

Totally BS on the pothole excuse, I've hit huge holes off-road at high speeds and have never had any alignment issues!

 

[Markuson]

That's BS.

Before Ouray, Slee did a proper alignment...and then I proceeded to hit rocks, bigger rocks, and boulders for 3 days straight with 20 other 200's...and then REALLY beat things up in Moab. And yet my alignment stayed fine for the many highway miles afterward home to San Diego. -And that was despite some damage I'd done for 5500 miles just prior to Slee's alignment.

If they were that easy to knock out of alignment...we would all be paying big bucks for alignment after every single outing.

 

[mooneywa]

My alignment issue seems more tied to a shoddy steering wheel placement than something being out of whack. I didn't know if there's some magic to tell them to make sure it's lined up correctly?

 

[Markuson]

My alignment issue seems more tied to a shoddy steering wheel placement than something being out of whack. I didn't know if there's some magic to tell them to make sure it's lined up correctly?

I had an alignment shop align my 100 series years ago...where they somehow left my steering wheel WAY off. So off that instead of a 12 o'clock position it was more like 10. So...apparently sloppy stuff happens.

 

[Ninja Cruiser100]

Total bs, find a competent shop. I use Sam at a Bronco Tires - he's located on Fondren - SW side.

 

[Nospell]

Its been a long while since I have been to Mud and I noticed your post. Congrats on the new cruiser. I'm in Houston as well. My 200 is the green dirty one with the black rack on the back and a King lift. If you drive i10 you may recognize me.

I take my cars including a 1200hp supra to Sals alignment only. He is off 290.

Tell Sal that Thomas with the brown/anthracite supra sent you.

Great place, very honest. He does all the impossible to align diesel trucks on 18wheeler tires and 200+ mph 1/2 mile cars.

My LC gets pounded off-road and never has alignment issues.

Due to high power levels my supra often gets what seems to be an off centered steering wheel, but it's actually the toe moving in the rear. U should take ur cruiser to sal to make sure you don't have another issue the dealer isn't addressing.

Also, I can't stand the Don McGill near kirkwood. I have many bad stories there.

If you are on the west side, take urs to Steven Dethridge at Don McGill Katy.

 

[mooneywa]

Awesome - I'll give Sal a call.

I am up in Kingwood so it's a hike to get out to Katy, but I'd rather take it a long ways than have to do work twice.

 

[ranma21]

I use Firestone by west rd and beltway 8 on all of my cars, speaking of that I actually plan to bring my newly acquire LX there tomorrow morning to get an alignment done too. I usually purchase the lifetime alignment service, get you money worth in just 2 visits.

 

[mooneywa]

Thanks all. Went to Sal's Autosport and Oscar took care of me. Really ensured it was done correctly.

 

[texas]

Thanks for the referral! Now I have a place to take my LC for alignment. Thanks H-Town peeps.