Alignment

[drewb]

I went in to get an alignment done, and the guy told me that my tie rods were bad. They gave me an estimate of $180 for parts and $120 for labor. I told him thank you and left. The exact parts (looked up the part number) at O'Rileys auto parts cost $90 and I could put them on myself. However, my alignment doesn't feel out of align, so I don't think it must be really bad. I got this car for $200, and have $500 into it. I don't think I need to put this money into it right now. I'm pretty angry that they were going to charge $90 for a $45 part...

[Frank Lee]

Get used to paying double at retail- that's how it's been, that's how it is, that's how it will be.

Buy the parts and put them on yourself, then check alignment yourself and if you wish, go somewhere that offers free alignment checks to confirm your work.

[Old Mechanic]

If you replace the tie rod ends yourself, you only need to reset the toe. You can do that with a string, or by measuring the tread on the back then rolling the car to where the same measuring point is in the front.

regards
Mech

[Frank Lee]

Heck, I don't even roll the car; I look for the same tread features to hook the tape measure on, as close to 3 and 9 o'clock as the chassis will let me get. Been dead-on every time!

[Gasoline Fumes]

Has anybody tried fine-tuning their toe by doing coast-down tests?

[G. Man]

Yeah, they all mark up part costs. If you look at an ORiley receipt, it will actually show what you paid, and what you would have been charged through a mechanic. It's sad, but that's why I try to do everything myself. I also don't go to Les Shwab any more. Big O has never tried to rip me off like Les Shwab has, and they're really friendly, and glad to help. Not to mention a lot cheaper!

[Fat Charlie]

They have to mark up the parts. Of course, most garages get a discount at the parts store to account for that so if a shop is gouging you like that, don't ever go back.

[Arragonis]

There is a system I have seen used which involves tiles or something on the floor which you run over. You can then measure the toe in/out based on the line of tread on the tiles.

However a free check seems a good move.