Lifetime alignment, worth it?

[sdnative]

I need to get my truck aligned after adjusting the torsion bars. I was planning on getting the lifetime alignment from firestone, thinking it would be around $120. Just checked the price and it's $179 . As a comparision, a local frame and axle shop runs a coupon often for a $50 alignment, although it's not a laser setup. Is the lifetime really worth it at that price?

I am guessing I will need two alignments now and in the future from messing with the suspension, but other than that .

Do these trucks really lose alignment that easily? Someone on here said they have to get an alignment every time they go off road. Seems hard to believe.

Anyway, just hoping for a reality check before dropping that kind of coin.

 

[SmoothLC]

Do these trucks really lose alignment that easily? Someone on here said they have to get an alignment every time they go off road. Seems hard to believe.

Very hard to believe. But IMO a lifetime alignment is worth it if only for the sake of maintaining even wear on the tires.

The Revos (v1) on my rig (all 5) have lasted 75k+ and still going strong. (As much as I would like to replace them though - ).

 

[ranma21]

If you ask me, YES it is worth it especially you will it. I have lifetime alignment with Firestone on all the vehicle I own except my new 2014 Sienna which comes with 1 free alignment from Toyota within 10k miles. You can bring your vehicle in for alignment as long as you own it, doesn't matter how many sets of tire you put on it. Look for coupon, sometimes they have $20 off for alignment.

 

[BigSwede]

A shop that actually knows what they are doing doesn't need lasers and computers to align a car. The specialty alignment shop around here does with with chalk and string. Seriously. And they get it right every time.

Computerized alignments are a crutch for techs who don't really understand what they are doing.

 

[ranma21]

A shop that actually knows what they are doing doesn't need lasers and computers to align a car. The specialty alignment shop around here does with with chalk and string. Seriously. And they get it right every time.

Computerized alignments are a crutch for techs who don't really understand what they are doing.

That is partially true apply to solid front axle vehicle with only toe adjustment. It does not apply to 100 series without front solid axle and any car with adjustable toe, camber as well as many adjustable rear end vehicle. Chalk and string has no way to get your camber right or give you accurate caster value.

 

[BigSwede]

Well they do use more than just chalk and string... but they don't use computers.

 

[sdnative]

Just called my local Firestone. They are running a special this coming weekend, $159 for the lifetime alignment. I can wait.

 

[perrobravo]

I tried a local Firestone with their offer of lifetime alignment since I figured that would allow me to play around with the suspension over time and not have to pay for realignment with every tweak. Unfortunately, their technician (and management) turned out to be completely incompetent. They started by using specs from a 200 series, then moved into explaining to me how camber and caster don't really matter, then eventually gave up and told me everything was fine (even though they had actually made the measurements worse compared to the right specs). While waiting and arguing with them, they also tried to upsell me and every other customer on services none of us needed. I assume this is how they cover the costs of lifetime alignments.

So, I asked for a refund and went to a real alignment shop. They guys there know lifted trucks and were able to get mine set appropriately with no waiting, no upsell, no nonsense. I figured that's worth more than the money I might "save" with the lifetime alignment at an incompetent shop. Obviously YMMV.

 

[adrenalinefjz80]

Money well spent on lifetime given IFS with lifts and other front end maintenance. I've used mine 6 times under this scenario. I've had 3 different shops all fine, but 1 even adjusted my caster and camber which was really convenient post lift.

 

[sdnative]

I tried a local Firestone with their offer of lifetime alignment since I figured that would allow me to play around with the suspension over time and not have to pay for realignment with every tweak. Unfortunately, their technician (and management) turned out to be completely incompetent. They started by using specs from a 200 series, then moved into explaining to me how camber and caster don't really matter, then eventually gave up and told me everything was fine (even though they had actually made the measurements worse compared to the right specs). While waiting and arguing with them, they also tried to upsell me and every other customer on services none of us needed. I assume this is how they cover the costs of lifetime alignments.

So, I asked for a refund and went to a real alignment shop. They guys there know lifted trucks and were able to get mine set appropriately with no waiting, no upsell, no nonsense. I figured that's worth more than the money I might "save" with the lifetime alignment at an incompetent shop. Obviously YMMV.

It's hit and miss with Firestone from what I've read. What Firestone did you go to and how long ago? What other shop did you end up going to? True Line is running the $50 coupon right now.

 

[perrobravo]

It's hit and miss with Firestone from what I've read. What Firestone did you go to and how long ago? What other shop did you end up going to? True Line is running the $50 coupon right now.

Ended up at Clarence Brown Alignment Services ( sandiegowheelalignment.com ) at the recommendation of @no-pistons. Started at the Firestone in Rancho Bernardo.

 

[SmoothLC]

^^ True dat. I've changed shops two or three times depending on the personnel. One store manager tried to tell me that I needed to pay for something since he wasn't making any money on the lifetime alignment. . . . Huh?

 

[Kofoed]

Just called my local Firestone. They are running a special this coming weekend, $159 for the lifetime alignment. I can wait.

If it is "life time" for a set of tires, it might be worth if you mess with the suspension or bash it a lot.

Lifetime of the vehicle, hell yes. I get the alignment done every new set of tires at about half usuable tread depth. ( or if usual wear)

 

[larryt]

Same bad experience for me at Mission Valley and La Mesa Firestones. I have the lifetime and I don't use it anymore. Multiple times they told me that I needed to replace parts to align it. One time they had the inputs for a 4Runner dialed in. The Truck Shop in Miramar does it perfect every time since for about $60, and checked out all the supposedly bad parts with a clean bill of health.

 

[TXLX100]

If you can get over firestone working on your vehicle, then I'd say go for it. With the price of tires, it's not worth the risk for me. There's just no way a technician can be great on all different makes & models of cars. An alignment at the independent shop I use is $75 maybe.

 

[Fitzgerald]

I ended up purchasing it recently. After lifting, then adding UCA's, it just made sense to buy the Lifetime deal (with the $20 coupon).

What sold me was that several guys in our club have had great experiences with one particular Firestone. It's not the closest Firestone to my house, but that's the one I take it to. I talked with both of their alignment guys and they both really know their stuff.

So... I'd say it's a great deal as long as you trust the guys doing the work.

 

[mcgaskins]

I'm with @Fitzgerald - if you can go to a verifiably good Firestone, it's worth it for sure. I used to have a lifted Cherokee/XJ, and I used the lifetime alignment probably 10x on that truck. Granted it needed it as sometimes I'd come off the trail and the steering wheel would be close to upside down I had mine aligned at Slee after the lift was put on, and I'm going to get it done again relatively soon when I put some new tires on and am considering Firestone or it's back to Slee.

 

[Zer0]

It's worth it. If it feels wrong, bring it to someone competent. They freak out every time I bring it in for my lifetime alignment and don't want them to touch the oil or screw with anything else..Obviously they hope you'll buy other services along with bringing it in for the "free" alignment.