My Alignment Headache...

[MadMazda]

Hey guys, I need some help. For the past month I have been trying to get a simple front end alignment on my 01 prerunner (torsion bar) mazda which has had me jerked around about 3 stores all giving me estimates for too much work, and then not doing the alignment. Basically the first time I went to a mom & pop shop called "Big T Tires" and they told me that my ball joints were bad and they could not do the alignment until they did my ball joints. Well I had just had upper and lower done six months prior so I told them to have a good day and left. Next I went by Sears auto care center and told them I needed an alignment and their story the next morning was that they couldn't align it because I needed new camber/caster bolts so they can adjust it properly, BUT that they had called around and no one had the parts, not even a the dealership. Still needing an alignment anyway I asked they guy "what do I do then, let my tires get eaten completely up?" So he said that he will keep and eye out for the part and if I find the part (gave me the part number and all) to bring it in and they can do it. So I go home and find the parts online for $40 and take it back into Sears and they tell me they can't use the part I brought in, although it was the same exact part they order. After a heated discussion, a promise to the manager that he has lost my business forever, and a detailed customer complaint, I'm stuck with $40 dollars in parts, a front left tire that is quickly loosing tread on the inside edge and have found no where in town willing to install part a customer provides. Any thoughts? As a struggling college student the one time purchase of the part was enough anyway, I can't really afford it again...

 

[R***A**N**G**E***R]

Hey guys, I need some help. For the past month I have been trying to get a simple front end alignment on my 01 prerunner (torsion bar) mazda which has had me jerked around about 3 stores all giving me estimates for too much work, and then not doing the alignment. Basically the first time I went to a mom & pop shop called "Big T Tires" and they told me that my ball joints were bad and they could not do the alignment until they did my ball joints. Well I had just had upper and lower done six months prior so I told them to have a good day and left. Next I went by Sears auto care center and told them I needed an alignment and their story the next morning was that they couldn't align it because I needed new camber/caster bolts so they can adjust it properly, BUT that they had called around and no one had the parts, not even a the dealership. Still needing an alignment anyway I asked they guy "what do I do then, let my tires get eaten completely up?" So he said that he will keep and eye out for the part and if I find the part (gave me the part number and all) to bring it in and they can do it. So I go home and find the parts online for $40 and take it back into Sears and they tell me they can't use the part I brought in, although it was the same exact part they order. After a heated discussion, a promise to the manager that he has lost my business forever, and a detailed customer complaint, I'm stuck with $40 dollars in parts, a front left tire that is quickly loosing tread on the inside edge and have found no where in town willing to install part a customer provides. Any thoughts? As a struggling college student the one time purchase of the part was enough anyway, I can't really afford it again...

Midas does this work and WILL use your parts BUT will offer NO warranty.

This has been my experience at the midas place in lawrence kansas they have ALWAYS used my parts but offer NO warranty on the work, I have had over the years my ranger a Taurus and a Mazda worked on at the same midas with NO complaints by me!! BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT keep in mind you will be paying high shop rates for places like these.

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

Take it to a reputable 4X4 and off road shop in your area and see who they would recomend to do the work. If they install lift kist, they may be able to do it for you.

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

Pfft, if you were near florida I would tell 'ya bring it in. Find another small mom and pop business as these will be your best be on it.

 

[MadMazda]

I am in Florida actually, Orlando Area. But, what do you guys think I should do? In this economy finding a trusty mechanic is near impossible, and now I have these parts and no where takes customer supplied parts except the dealership I hear... would that be worth it or would they screw me worse right now?