Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) EG/EH/EJ/EK/EM1 Discussion

Cost of wheel alignment?

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Old Nov 5, 2008 | 10:47 PM
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Default Cost of wheel alignment?

Wheres the best place I can go to get all 4 wheels aligned? and how much did you guys have to pay?
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Old Nov 5, 2008 | 11:05 PM
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Default Re: Cost of wheel alignment? (raidacaipo)

It's about $60
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Old Nov 5, 2008 | 11:48 PM
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Default Re: Cost of wheel alignment? (raidacaipo)

I think I remember paying about $80 at Just Tires
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 12:09 AM
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Default Re: Cost of wheel alignment? (EKwillister)

man its expensive.. I guess Im gonna have to pay from $60-$90??
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 12:15 AM
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Default Re: Cost of wheel alignment? (raidacaipo)

u could just get the front if thats ur main problem area. i think its around 40-50ish
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 12:51 AM
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Default Re: Cost of wheel alignment? (john666)

wow so expensive.. I mean its so easy to do.. I remember like 4 years ago they just put my car on the thingy, put some equipment around my rims, used a laser to measure than they adjusted the toe by looking at the computer and making sure its 0 balanced.. why is it so dam expensive? its not like its hard and they got it done in like 5-10 mins..
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 03:34 AM
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Default Re: Cost of wheel alignment? (raidacaipo)

buying tires all the time in much more expensive.
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 03:44 AM
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Default Re: Cost of wheel alignment? (raidacaipo)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by raidacaipo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why is it so dam expensive? its not like its hard and they got it done in like 5-10 mins..</TD></TR></TABLE>
because they are businesses and need to make money.

if you really think about it, alignments are free, they just charge you for bringing your car into the bay.

I don't trust digital alignments, as they can become uncalibrated pretty easily and that means you're not really getting the alignment that's printed on paper.

As for prices, I'm gonna guestimate in the $45-60 range if you want fronts only. a full alignment will go from 70ish to 130. Unless you're gonna race your car and already have predetermined specs in mind, tell them 1/32 toe out in front -- no more, no less. you dont need to change your camber, just have them adjust it if they're different for some reason. camber doesnt eat tires, toe does.

good luck
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 03:44 AM
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Default Re: Cost of wheel alignment? (raidacaipo)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by raidacaipo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow so expensive.. I mean its so easy to do.. I remember like 4 years ago they just put my car on the thingy, put some equipment around my rims, used a laser to measure than they adjusted the toe by looking at the computer and making sure its 0 balanced.. why is it so dam expensive? its not like its hard and they got it done in like 5-10 mins..</TD></TR></TABLE>

Do you have the shop or the very expensive thingy or all the equipment for the rims and the training to do it. Yes all the equipment makes life easy and alows the mechanic to do the alignment quickly thats what you are paying for. Oh and 60 to 100 is not a bad price to pay to keep from replacing several 100 worth of tires
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 12:05 PM
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Default Re: Cost of wheel alignment? (SoCal EJ1)

is it better to have the toe in a little or out? Ive been adjusting it myself and test driving..
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 12:34 PM
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Default Re: Cost of wheel alignment? (BlueIntegraBoy)

if your car is too low can a shop still do an alignment?
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 12:47 PM
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Default

i paid $100 for a 3-year unlimited alignment service.
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 02:15 PM
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Default Re: (sintype)

i paid 85$ at les schwabb for mine, but before that i did it myself with a laser level and some chalk line, then i went to les schwabb to see how close i was to stock alignment, and i was not even a hair off. DIY FOR NOW ON!
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 02:34 PM
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Default Re: Cost of wheel alignment? (civicSF98)

pepboys wont do an alignment if ur car is lowered atleast not the one i work at loland its 70bucks for it
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 03:00 PM
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Default Re: (Jonknee)

How do you do an alignment? Any tools?
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Old Nov 6, 2008 | 04:05 PM
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Default Re: (civicSF98)

Its hard to explain,theres a diy around here somewhere.

But i recommend buying one of those craftsman laser levels that draw a straight line, I put it onthe rear rim with bungee cords and drew a line beside the front rim on each side, then centered the wheels evenly between that line, measured distance, mine were 1/16 off in the front, they were like this - / \ , so i opened it up so that they were the same distance from the chalk line i drew earlier, and it was exactly good. Its hard to explain, hope you get the idea.

The laser level draws lines like this:
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Old Nov 7, 2008 | 01:17 PM
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Default Re: (Jonknee)

hey Im about to get an alignment today. What should I tell the guy whos doing my alignment to set the camber at? negative right? but by how much? and the same for the toe!
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Old Nov 7, 2008 | 01:22 PM
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Default Re: (raidacaipo)

i have heard to set camber at -1 degree. someone on here said that was the best setting.
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Old Nov 7, 2008 | 01:37 PM
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Default Re: (slo_hatch)

Originally Posted by slo_hatch
i have heard to set camber at -1 degree
Originally Posted by raidacaipo
What should I tell the guy whos doing my alignment to set the camber at? !
A little negative camber is definitely a good thing. Sorry, but in factory trim, camber cannot be adjusted. No real need to adjust it, just make sure the toe is well done. I usually set it a hair toed in, about 0.05 degree in front and dead on spec in the rear (think it's 0). Do this and you'll enjoy many months of even tire wear, assuming you monitor your tire pressure and are cognisant of rotations.

Oh, we charge $59.95 here for a four wheel alignment. You'll need a four wheel since the thrust angle is projected from the rear.
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Old Nov 7, 2008 | 01:43 PM
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Default Re: (hatchling37)

what shop you work at?
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Old Nov 7, 2008 | 01:46 PM
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Default Re: (sintype)

Originally Posted by sintype
i paid $100 for a 3-year unlimited alignment service.
what place did you get it done at?
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Old Nov 7, 2008 | 01:50 PM
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Default Re: (raidacaipo)

Originally Posted by john666
u could just get the front if thats ur main problem area.
you could but many real tech's will tell you that the rear steers the car and not the front. plus if you skip on the rear it can be hard to get accurate measurements in the front.

besides.. if your car is in the shop for an alignment you might as well do all 4 wheels
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Old Nov 7, 2008 | 02:16 PM
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Default Re: (Jonknee)

i paid about $120 for lifetime on my car at brake check...
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Old Nov 7, 2008 | 02:34 PM
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Default Re: (raidacaipo)

Originally Posted by raidacaipo
what shop you work at?
Big O Tires and Service Center
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Old Nov 7, 2008 | 02:43 PM
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Default

Originally Posted by raidacaipo
what place did you get it done at?
goodyear express tire.
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