Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup - Focaljet

**ZIPYSVT** · 07-28-2008, 03:35 AM

Updated 8/15/2008

I installed the Saleen suspension on my SVT a few months ago, and this weekend brought it in for new tires and a 4-wheel alignment. The shop was not able to get the toe completely sorted out. To be able to align it to spec, they are recommending an adjustable front and rear camber setup.

Alignment Specs:

Estimate (includes a "free" 4-wheel alignment):

I didn't think I'd need anything special after installing the Saleen/Eibach Pro Kit setup to get the car in proper alignment. Based on the alignment specs as it sits now, do I have anything to worry about? I drive about 10K a year and rotate every 5K.

.

**nick** · 07-28-2008, 06:24 AM

How much lower is the car with the springs? I have the eibach prokit setup and i think its a 1.5 drop and i have zero issues with uneven tire ware. Sounds like a ripoff, shops around me recommended i do the same thing. They see a suspension and they think camber kit.

**SVTADAM** · 07-28-2008, 06:57 AM

What?!? Sounds like they are trying to rip you off. Take it somewhere else. They should be able to zero out those toe settings unless you put on a used suspension and have bent strut issues.

**sleeperlove** · 07-28-2008, 08:06 AM

Definitely sounds like a rip off. To adjust the toe to spec they shouldn't need anything aftermarket, especially in the front.

**BadIdea** · 07-28-2008, 09:27 AM

Run fast to another place. I would pay up to $150 for a really good alignment.

**slverfocus13** · 07-28-2008, 09:41 AM

wow thats ludacris...i spent on my alignment only about $70 and it was with the Eibach pro kit and before that i had SVT suspension on my ZX3...like everyone is saying run...or drive to somewhere else

**Ataru** · 07-28-2008, 09:55 AM

Go to another location and get it aligned. They will be able to do it.

Then, write a letter to the corporate office of Big O tires. Here's a link for you: http://www.bigotires.com/Default.asp...tegory=Company

And send them the estimate that you received from them with a copy of the invoice of repair from the location that will do your alignment.

Then ask them if their technicians are inadequate to the point they can't get a simple toe adjustment in spec, or is it their policy to recommend unnecessary work in an attempt to gouge the customer of their money.

Either way tell them that you would like to hear their response as your potential future business with their company, and the business of all of your friends depends on their answer.....

**TJs98GT** · 07-28-2008, 10:15 AM

thats a rip off. go somewhere else. btw if you look at the charts, the camber is within specs and isnt even out of alignment, just the toe is out, so why would you need a CAMBER KIT to adjust TOE. that just isnt right and doesnt make sense. and btw....i do alignments and have an alignment shop at my store.

**danielj24k** · 07-28-2008, 11:33 AM

most shops will charge 80 to 100 bucks an hr but to change toe,camber,caster if available is given about 2 hrs for the job so u actually so just be looking at a bill of like $250. idk where they got $600 from. just take it to a ford dealer.

**Egz** · 07-28-2008, 11:43 AM

I can't see the pics, but they want $600 just to set the toe? Or was that for camber plates, installation, and then alignment?

**gizmo88** · 07-28-2008, 11:53 AM

I might be an idiot, but that really isn't THAT bad of a deal. They are upcharing considerably on the camber plates and bolts (probably SPC junk). That certainly doesn't warrant calling them thieves.

**Voortrek3** · 07-28-2008, 12:35 PM

Never shop at BIG O tires. They just have piss poor customer service. I happened to stumble into one late on a Saturday afternoon to get an alignment after getting 4 new tires, and after waiting in their waiting room for an hour, was told that my '03 SVT was 'too low' for them to put up on their ramp. Its a stock suspension mind you. I suggested it would have been better customer service to let me know of this fact an hour earlier or just have told me up front that they didn't want to do the job.

**MichaelXi** · 07-28-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gizmo88

I might be an idiot, but that really isn't THAT bad of a deal. They are upcharing considerably on the camber plates and bolts (probably SPC junk). That certainly doesn't warrant calling them thieves.

You don't have "Sucker" tattooed on your forehead do you?
They are THIEVES. The TOE needs adjusted. That's ALL. You do that with the outer tie-rod ends and go home. Story over.
These folks are trying to sell him un-needed parts, claiming they can't fix his car unless they sell him something that is unrelated to what needs adjusted.
That is Robbery and taking advantage of someone's ignorance.

**gizmo88** · 07-28-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelXi

You don't have "Sucker" tattooed on your forehead do you?
They are THIEVES. The TOE needs adjusted. That's ALL. You do that with the outer tie-rod ends and go home. Story over.
These folks are trying to sell him un-needed parts, claiming they can't fix his car unless they sell him something that is unrelated to what needs adjusted.
That is Robbery and taking advantage of someone's ignorance.

Down the line he could find the added adjustments very useful. But you are correct, they could do an OEM spec alignment without them.

**ZIPYSVT** · 07-28-2008, 08:34 PM

Thanks. I thought it sounded pretty out of line. I will definately take it to another shop, and if they can verify the alignment and set the toe, I"ll be stopping back by my local Big O to inquire as to their problem. That contact info for Big O corporate may come in handy, thanks Ataru.

**1-ST** · 07-28-2008, 08:57 PM

Sounds like the other jetters have got you straightened out. I'll recommend doing what I did. Get the lifetime alignment (costs about what 2 individual times costs) from Firestone, but make sure you know what you're talking about, make an appointment to get it done by their best tech, (the managers should know who the hot rodders are) show up early, and talk to the tech in person about what you want ideally. I also recommend setting the front toe just a hair out and the rear to 0. Remeber how cool it was when you first drove on your new suspension? A good alignment can make that much differance again.

**Johnny_P** · 07-28-2008, 10:30 PM

eh, from that printout seems you're running a TON of camber in the rear... that can be a bad thing, especially with the focus suspension design. I'd get the rear camber addressed. As for the rest of it, the alignment seems pretty darn good to me, and the toe can be set from the factory, there shouldn't be an issue. Get the rear camber crash bolts and have another shop set them in.

I've had my fair share of problems with alignment shops. I left my car at one once, and when I came back found that they had slotted my strut tower mounts so they could "correctly set my front camber to zero" when I asked them to leave the front alone.... can't exactly un-do that.

**zx3neon** · 07-28-2008, 11:38 PM

your rear camber really should be at -1.5 or less. -2.0 is really going to accelerate tire wear, but i don't see an issue with setting the front toe.

**super6** · 08-02-2008, 04:35 PM

Find an honest independent shop that does performance work. I'm in AZ and pay about $70.00 using my settings.

super6

**Shootisttx** · 08-02-2008, 05:19 PM

I'm wondering if taking it to a Ford dealer would be a better option? I haven't put a suspension kit on mine yet, but want to know about alignment BEFORE I do the kit.
I'm planning on having my dealership install the kit as well.

**02_smurf** · 08-02-2008, 05:22 PM

He's only running 2 degrees camber, it's not that bad. It's the toe that's the problem. I ran 3-4 degrees camber on my old focus, and as long as the toe is good the camber isn't as dramatic to his issue

**06REDZX3SE** · 08-02-2008, 07:28 PM

I went to a very reputable shop after installing my Saleen kit and they had to charge extra in labor, and STILL couldn't get it in spec. Apparently the kit isn't exactly alignment friendly...

**Dimitri** · 08-02-2008, 07:39 PM

Don't get ripped-off.
I paid $120 for a 4-wheel alignment with my Sportline set-up.
Shop around, save yourself the $$$ for some more toys!

**MichaelXi** · 08-03-2008, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shootisttx

I'm wondering if taking it to a Ford dealer would be a better option? I haven't put a suspension kit on mine yet, but want to know about alignment BEFORE I do the kit.
I'm planning on having my dealership install the kit as well.

Unless you just have NO time or tools, it's really a DIY Job.
The Stealership will RAPE you on Labour. Why not save that $300-ish for other mods?
All you need is a 7mm Allen head socket for the brake calipers, a Flat Screwdriver (For helping with brake removal... pry-bar), a 6-point 15mm socket, a 10mm socket (90% of the do-dads on the Focus use 10, 14, or 15mm), whatever size fits the top of the strut (May be 15mm, I don't recall at the moment), a Star-bit that fits the ball-joint's pinch-bolt, (Buy an inexpensive kit... it'll be Quite useful. Sorry I don't recall the size), a cheap caliper compressor, 2 jack-stands in addition to a decent hydraulic floor-jack, 2 or 3 spring compressors (Can be Borrowed/rented for a Credit Card "Filed" Deposit at most places like Auto-Zone or Advance Auto Parts), and maybe some miscellaneous open-end wrenches. If I've left anything out, they are very standard tools... No "Odd Surprises".
A 6-pack and a few hours will get the job done, and some good music never hurts.
There is a complete write-up at www.focushacks.com . If you don't have one, a "Haynes' Manual" is useful too.
Of course you should have a shop do the alignment, but there are likely decent places that are cheaper than the dealer, or places that charge the same as the dealer, but do better work/service.
The dealer is best for SOME things, but I wouldn't put this on the list unless you have money to blow OR if you Know the Service Manager Well.

**Power Surge** · 08-03-2008, 11:54 AM

You're not getting ripped off. You brought your car to a shop. Shops get paid for work. Just because it may be something other people can do themsleves, doesn't mean it's wrong to be charged for it. If you can't do it yourself, then you have to pay someone.

If you look at your before and after specs, you can clearly see they made improvements on the settings. Obviously they adjusted it as far as they could. If they are telling you they could not get it in spec, then something on the car is not allowing them to get the range of adjustment needed. That's not the shop's fault. At that point, the only solution is to add parts that DO allow the range needed to get the adjustments in spec. The shop quoted you what they felt is needed to do the job right. Sure it's pricey, but if that's whats needed then that's what's needed. You can't expect them to do it for free.

While I am sure everyone here is just trying to help, I doubt most of the people giving you advice are not full time alignment techs. I am a service manager at a corprate Goodyear center. We do alignments all day long. We have two full time alignment techs that are the best I've ever seen (good alignment techs are pretty hard to come by). We have had many cars come in for alignments that wind up in the same situation you are. Either they have had previous damage, or have aftermarket parts, but either way sometimes the car just can't be brought into spec. While most people may think that toe is "just tie rod end adjustments", there is more to it than that. Sometime you can set toe, and then when you adjust camber and caster to spec, it throws toe out. And if there is not enough range of adjustment due to s

07-28-2008, 03:35 AM	#1
ZIPYSVT TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sacramento Posts: 476	(Updated) Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup Updated 8/15/2008 I installed the Saleen suspension on my SVT a few months ago, and this weekend brought it in for new tires and a 4-wheel alignment. The shop was not able to get the toe completely sorted out. To be able to align it to spec, they are recommending an adjustable front and rear camber setup. Alignment Specs: Estimate (includes a "free" 4-wheel alignment): I didn't think I'd need anything special after installing the Saleen/Eibach Pro Kit setup to get the car in proper alignment. Based on the alignment specs as it sits now, do I have anything to worry about? I drive about 10K a year and rotate every 5K. . __________________ 2002 SVTF CD Silver w/ Red Inserts \| Audiophile \| Sunroof Show: EAP HIDs \| Euro Grille \| Ceramic Coated Header \| Autometer Gauges \| Readline Tuning Dead Pedal Go: JRSC \| Borla Cat Back \| Steeda STS \| VF Lower Mount \| Saleen/Eibach Pro Kit ICE: Alpine CDA 9857 \| PAC SWI-ALP \| Infinity REF 6x8s \| Alpine MRP-F250 \| JL W10 in Q-Logic Enclosure Last edited by ZIPYSVT : 08-15-2008 at 09:06 PM.

07-28-2008, 06:24 AM	#2
nick Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: orlando Posts: 3,613	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup How much lower is the car with the springs? I have the eibach prokit setup and i think its a 1.5 drop and i have zero issues with uneven tire ware. Sounds like a ripoff, shops around me recommended i do the same thing. They see a suspension and they think camber kit. __________________ 09 Mazdaspeed3 Pearl White

07-28-2008, 06:57 AM	#3
SVTADAM Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Connecticut Posts: 3,036	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup What?!? Sounds like they are trying to rip you off. Take it somewhere else. They should be able to zero out those toe settings unless you put on a used suspension and have bent strut issues. __________________ Black Aria...#1211 built in 2002 Rain...1990 Ford Escort Wagon "Dear Diary...Jackpot!" Giggity Giggity Goo!

07-28-2008, 08:06 AM	#4
sleeperlove You wouldn't like me when I'm angry. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the dirt Posts: 8,447	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup Definitely sounds like a rip off. To adjust the toe to spec they shouldn't need anything aftermarket, especially in the front. __________________ I'm in ur posts changin ur werdz.

07-28-2008, 09:27 AM	#5
BadIdea Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cleveland Posts: 2,270	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup Run fast to another place. I would pay up to $150 for a really good alignment. __________________ '02 silver svt '08 tundra crewmax

07-28-2008, 09:41 AM	#6
slverfocus13 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Palm Coast, FL Posts: 1,858	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup wow thats ludacris...i spent on my alignment only about $70 and it was with the Eibach pro kit and before that i had SVT suspension on my ZX3...like everyone is saying run...or drive to somewhere else __________________ [eat][sleep][_/\_] 2002 CD Silver ZX3 1989 Nissan 240sx (soon to be drift slut) Emissions...whats that?

07-28-2008, 09:55 AM	#7
Ataru Team Sonic Racing Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Where the winds come sweeping down the plains Posts: 11,411	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup Go to another location and get it aligned. They will be able to do it. Then, write a letter to the corporate office of Big O tires. Here's a link for you: http://www.bigotires.com/Default.asp...tegory=Company And send them the estimate that you received from them with a copy of the invoice of repair from the location that will do your alignment. Then ask them if their technicians are inadequate to the point they can't get a simple toe adjustment in spec, or is it their policy to recommend unnecessary work in an attempt to gouge the customer of their money. Either way tell them that you would like to hear their response as your potential future business with their company, and the business of all of your friends depends on their answer..... __________________ Owner of SONIC - 2003 Sonic Blue SVT Focus ZX5 Yes, Sonic has a Car Domain Page [FJ] focaljet - GUIDELINES - GALLERY - [FJ]WALLPAPER - STORE - SPONSORS - SEARCH - Any Questions?

07-28-2008, 10:15 AM	#8
TJs98GT TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Jersey Posts: 418	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup thats a rip off. go somewhere else. btw if you look at the charts, the camber is within specs and isnt even out of alignment, just the toe is out, so why would you need a CAMBER KIT to adjust TOE. that just isnt right and doesnt make sense. and btw....i do alignments and have an alignment shop at my store. __________________ 1998 Mustang GT, Vortech T-Trim(16#s intercooled), Forged 302 stroker, Stage 2 Ported Polished Heads, Comp XE274 Cams, Ported/Polished Bullitt Intake Manifold, TKO Trans, 03 Cobra IRS swap. http://rides.webshots.com/album/559219923mdvdiw 2002 SVT Focus #3473 of 4788 born on 7-24-02 K&N Filter w/silencer removed, EAP HID headlights, SCT Tuned, CFM Adj STS, Black EAPs

07-28-2008, 11:33 AM	#9
danielj24k Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 71	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup most shops will charge 80 to 100 bucks an hr but to change toe,camber,caster if available is given about 2 hrs for the job so u actually so just be looking at a bill of like $250. idk where they got $600 from. just take it to a ford dealer.

07-28-2008, 11:43 AM	#10
Egz Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Tappahannock, VA Posts: 19,418	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup I can't see the pics, but they want $600 just to set the toe? Or was that for camber plates, installation, and then alignment?

07-28-2008, 11:53 AM	#11
gizmo88 TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 922	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup I might be an idiot, but that really isn't THAT bad of a deal. They are upcharing considerably on the camber plates and bolts (probably SPC junk). That certainly doesn't warrant calling them thieves. __________________ “Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” - George Carlin

07-28-2008, 12:35 PM	#12
Voortrek3 TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Dimas, CA, USA Posts: 804	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup Never shop at BIG O tires. They just have piss poor customer service. I happened to stumble into one late on a Saturday afternoon to get an alignment after getting 4 new tires, and after waiting in their waiting room for an hour, was told that my '03 SVT was 'too low' for them to put up on their ramp. Its a stock suspension mind you. I suggested it would have been better customer service to let me know of this fact an hour earlier or just have told me up front that they didn't want to do the job. __________________ 2009 Focus SES Coupe - Vista Blue Go ahead and call 911, I'm off duty!

07-28-2008, 08:34 PM	#15
ZIPYSVT TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sacramento Posts: 476	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup Thanks. I thought it sounded pretty out of line. I will definately take it to another shop, and if they can verify the alignment and set the toe, I"ll be stopping back by my local Big O to inquire as to their problem. That contact info for Big O corporate may come in handy, thanks Ataru. __________________ 2002 SVTF CD Silver w/ Red Inserts \| Audiophile \| Sunroof Show: EAP HIDs \| Euro Grille \| Ceramic Coated Header \| Autometer Gauges \| Readline Tuning Dead Pedal Go: JRSC \| Borla Cat Back \| Steeda STS \| VF Lower Mount \| Saleen/Eibach Pro Kit ICE: Alpine CDA 9857 \| PAC SWI-ALP \| Infinity REF 6x8s \| Alpine MRP-F250 \| JL W10 in Q-Logic Enclosure

07-28-2008, 08:57 PM	#16
1-ST Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham-ish, Alabama Posts: 31	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup Sounds like the other jetters have got you straightened out. I'll recommend doing what I did. Get the lifetime alignment (costs about what 2 individual times costs) from Firestone, but make sure you know what you're talking about, make an appointment to get it done by their best tech, (the managers should know who the hot rodders are) show up early, and talk to the tech in person about what you want ideally. I also recommend setting the front toe just a hair out and the rear to 0. Remeber how cool it was when you first drove on your new suspension? A good alignment can make that much differance again. __________________ Working on a sleeper* daily driver light* autocross car. *=recently omited.

07-28-2008, 11:38 PM	#18
zx3neon Rookie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 9	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup your rear camber really should be at -1.5 or less. -2.0 is really going to accelerate tire wear, but i don't see an issue with setting the front toe.

08-02-2008, 04:35 PM	#19
super6 TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 136	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup Find an honest independent shop that does performance work. I'm in AZ and pay about $70.00 using my settings. super6

08-02-2008, 05:19 PM	#20
Shootisttx Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Navasota, TX Posts: 14	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup I'm wondering if taking it to a Ford dealer would be a better option? I haven't put a suspension kit on mine yet, but want to know about alignment BEFORE I do the kit. I'm planning on having my dealership install the kit as well. __________________ '07 Liquid Gray Focus SES, leather (mmmmm, niiice), antilock brakes...Mods: just tint, so far....

08-02-2008, 05:22 PM	#21
02_smurf Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: With the wemenz: Em or mom Posts: 12,492	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup He's only running 2 degrees camber, it's not that bad. It's the toe that's the problem. I ran 3-4 degrees camber on my old focus, and as long as the toe is good the camber isn't as dramatic to his issue __________________ "I couldn't even get on it, I stabbed myself in the vagina!" -Name withheld to protect the drunkeded

08-02-2008, 07:28 PM	#22
06REDZX3SE Rookie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Temecula Posts: 34	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup I went to a very reputable shop after installing my Saleen kit and they had to charge extra in labor, and STILL couldn't get it in spec. Apparently the kit isn't exactly alignment friendly...

08-02-2008, 07:39 PM	#23
Dimitri TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada Posts: 173	Re: Shop wants $596.71 to align my Saleen/Eibach setup Don't get ripped-off. I paid $120 for a 4-wheel alignment with my Sportline set-up. Shop around, save yourself the $$$ for some more toys! __________________ 2007 Pitch Black ZX3. Street Appearance Package, 17" EAP rims, Eibach Sportlines, F2 Sideskirts, 20% Tint.