What to look for in an alignment shop?
Take the SKOSH chart with you. If they won’t align it to the alignment specs you want, find a different shop.
The major chain stores are usually a “no-go”, as they all have policies about setting the factory specs- which you don’t want. Sometimes you can talk them into using a more modern RWD car for the computer, but that doesn’t always work because new stuff has more caster than you’ll be able to get and the numbers still stay red.
As far as age, I wouldn’t count on it. I’ve had conversations on this forum with guys that claim they “used to be alignment techs” that clearly show that age is not the same as experience or knowledge. Too many “back in the day” stories are based completely on dumb luck, not actual skill.
And good luck! I bought my own alignment gear for this exact reason. I do it myself, and when I buy tires I have them check my alignment. It comes back “in the red” but I get the numbers. Usually they leave me alone about adjusting it when I ask them if they think my car came with 18x9’s, 275’s and tubular adjustable suspension from the factory. They won’t set those numbers, but they don’t make me pay them to change them back to factory either so I get the benefit of the modern equipment to check my bubble gauge alignment. Now that I’ve used the bubble gauges a few times it’s usually pretty close!
Take the SKOSH chart with you. If they won’t align it to the alignment specs you want, find a different shop.
The major chain stores are usually a “no-go”, as they all have policies about setting the factory specs- which you don’t want. Sometimes you can talk them into using a more modern RWD car for the computer, but that doesn’t always work because new stuff has more caster than you’ll be able to get and the numbers still stay red.
As far as age, I wouldn’t count on it. I’ve had conversations on this forum with guys that claim they “used to be alignment techs” that clearly show that age is not the same as experience or knowledge. Too many “back in the day” stories are based completely on dumb luck, not actual skill.
And good luck! I bought my own alignment gear for this exact reason. I do it myself, and when I buy tires I have them check my alignment. It comes back “in the red” but I get the numbers. Usually they leave me alone about adjusting it when I ask them if they think my car came with 18x9’s, 275’s and tubular adjustable suspension from the factory. They won’t set those numbers, but they don’t make me pay them to change them back to factory either so I get the benefit of the modern equipment to check my bubble gauge alignment. Now that I’ve used the bubble gauges a few times it’s usually pretty close!
