wheel alignment woes
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 11:24 pm
I may have run into my first major hang up as far as owning a JDM in the north. I lifted the van, and subsequently NEED an alignment, i have been putting it off as I just got around to doing my upper ball joints too. so far the import service place up here says they don't have the ability to do the aglinment due to the fact that the alignment specs arent in the database for their 40 thousand dollar whizzy new laser alignment machine. They also dont have a mechanic who can do old school alignments either
would it be worth while to visit the domestic dealers as well?
the dude at Cambodian tire said they can "service anything" but I neither trust them to do it right, or at all. I get the sneaking suspicion that if i am forced to take my van to CT for service it will magically need lots of spendy work that would be easier and done right if i did it myself. They too have a whizzy machine that magically shows the mechanic how to align it.
So the question I guess out of that tangent is this: if I can find NO ONE to do a good job on an alignment for me in town will I be forced to go south to get it done? or is there a possibility of finding an alignment file for one of those machines to input the specs so that it will be done right. also do those machines have the ability to account for a change in vehicle geometry like ball joint spacers?
this is the start of minor frustration methinks. Maybe i need to buy a plumb bob and a stick of chalk and go to town.

the dude at Cambodian tire said they can "service anything" but I neither trust them to do it right, or at all. I get the sneaking suspicion that if i am forced to take my van to CT for service it will magically need lots of spendy work that would be easier and done right if i did it myself. They too have a whizzy machine that magically shows the mechanic how to align it.
So the question I guess out of that tangent is this: if I can find NO ONE to do a good job on an alignment for me in town will I be forced to go south to get it done? or is there a possibility of finding an alignment file for one of those machines to input the specs so that it will be done right. also do those machines have the ability to account for a change in vehicle geometry like ball joint spacers?
this is the start of minor frustration methinks. Maybe i need to buy a plumb bob and a stick of chalk and go to town.