Elder vs. Industrious (Front End Alignment Stt)

Elder was recommended to me, as well. I never did get the vehicle aligned, however, as the situation resolved itself when a friend of ours totalled it. I would love to hear about your experience as I am sure my "new to me" car will eventually need an alignment.

VIsnorkeler, sorry to hear about your totaled car. I hope you have better luck with the "new" car and learned not to lend out your car to anyone, unfortunately.

I need an alignment bad and would like to hear any recommendations from board members, because of the conflicting recommendations.

Being that Industrious has a newer machine, I'm leaning more toward them, even though it is more expensive. A newer machine, better results. I was told.

"The cheap turns out to be expensive" is a saying I heard. Something like that.

Anyone????

"When you buy quality, you only cry once," is a saying I heard.

Thanks, Beachcomber. I didn't exactly loan the car to anyone...let's just say it is a long story and that friend is no longer a friend.

Something I have learned in my life is that just because something costs more, doesn't mean it is a better quality. Sad, but true.

While a newer machine has more bells and whistles, it's only as good as the tech doing the alignment.;)

While a newer machine has more bells and whistles, it's only as good as the tech doing the alignment.;)

One of the people who knows about cars good (fixes them for a living) told me to go to Industrious because they have a newer machine and I am guessing the person knows that the mechanics/techs are very experienced with the machine or they wouldn't recommend Industrious to me.

If not Elder or Industrious, what other shops does anyone suggest?

(I'm guessing front end alignments are not that important, because I'm not really getting any feedback.)

(I'm guessing front end alignments are not that important, because I'm not really getting any feedback.)

Maybe because of the driving conditions here your car's going to go out of whack again so quickly that people don't bother? :D:D

I've always gone to western auto for alignment and elders for muffler work. be sure the rotate tires at same time. then try to miss all pot holes. They kill an alignment in a heart beat.

(I'm guessing front end alignments are not that important, because I'm not really getting any feedback.)

Maybe because of the driving conditions here your car's going to go out of whack again so quickly that people don't bother? :D:D

OT, thanks for an honest answer :@)
That's all someone had to say.

I've always gone to western auto for alignment and elders for muffler work. be sure the rotate tires at same time. then try to miss all pot holes. They kill an alignment in a heart beat.

wenchtoo, I just rotated my tires that's why I want to get a front end alignment. It's pulling really, really hard to the left.

How much is an alignment at Western?

BTW - the person who recommended Industrious is a well known & highly respected mechanic on island, but so is the other person. They just work on different makes of cars. That's why I'm in such a quandary :S
And then other lay people telling me to go to one or the other, is making it worse.

Geesh I can't remember..i'll look to see if i have receipt.

no receipt but did call western auto quoted me 69.95 for truck.
said small cars are alittle cheaper.
also said might need tires balanced.

775-4400

good luck!

(I'm guessing front end alignments are not that important, because I'm not really getting any feedback.)

Maybe because of the driving conditions here your car's going to go out of whack again so quickly that people don't bother? :D:D

I'm firmly in that camp. After blowing money on alignments for the first couple of years here, I decided to only get an alignment if something were obviously wrong, like pulling to one side as you say, or very uneven tire wear. I fantasize that each odd-numbered pothole that I hit de-aligns me, and each even-numbered one re-aligns me.

wenchtoo, I just rotated my tires that's why I want to get a front end alignment. It's pulling really, really hard to the left.

This might be a really dumb suggestion but take it with a huge grain of salt from one who can just about manage to replenish the car's bodily fluids (and even then it takes me half an hour and more to find the - clearly marked - apertures and that's after I've already spent 15 minutes trying to find the hood latch which I swear is regularly repositioned by an evil jumbie). When my car pulls to the left or the right it's usually because when I take a look at the tires, one or the other on the front end needs air. I know, I know. Self serve gas pumps are another major challenge when a little arthritis in the hands decides to act up and I can't get the damned gas tank cap off. Sometimes have to stand and wait for someone else to pull up and help. Good grief. And good luck!

I'm firmly in that camp. After blowing money on alignments for the first couple of years here, I decided to only get an alignment if something were obviously wrong, like pulling to one side as you say, or very uneven tire wear. I fantasize that each odd-numbered pothole that I hit de-aligns me, and each even-numbered one re-aligns me.

Exactly. I can't remember how many years and how many cars ago I invested in an alignment. Love your reasoning which makes perfect sense!

I've owned same Toyota truck for 13 yrs. and never had an alignment.
It's not something on my regular check list but my mechanic usually goes over truck pretty thoroughly for me so it's not been an issue.
As OT says when, it drives a little weird it's usually because the tires are underinflated.
I do take it in regularly to change oil, ck. fluids, tune up, etc. and always ask the guys to fill tires to proper PSI when there for servicing since most air fill stations don't have gauges, or they don't work, it seems. With all the potholes, it seems senseless because as much as you really try to miss the darned things, they seem unavoidable, especially at night on our dark roads.

I'm firmly in that camp. After blowing money on alignments for the first couple of years here, I decided to only get an alignment if something were obviously wrong, like pulling to one side as you say, or very uneven tire wear. I fantasize that each odd-numbered pothole that I hit de-aligns me, and each even-numbered one re-aligns me.

My car has never had an alignment. Tire pressure is correct. Tires rotated on a regular basis. Regular maintenance of car is on point.

So, that's why I am looking into an alignment because of the HARD pull to the left. I can't think of anything else wrong or I wouldn't be looking to wasting $$ on an alignment.

As Old Tart mentioned, STXBob, I like your reasoning too...LOL

wenchtoo, Thanks for looking into the info. at Western. That was very nice of you to even call for cost 🙂

Alana33, these darn potholes just seem to form on the hour. Once I get my pothole avoidance map all set for some of my regular routes I take, there are a few that popped up on a return trip the same day :X