ArthurK101@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 98-08-26 18:54:10 EDT, vafred@erols.com writes:
>
> > Listers, called a couple of local recomended repair shops here in N. Va.
> > today to get the F.E. checked for alignment, the pass. side tire is not
> > wearing right. Was given a few different prices but one I would like to
> > pass along, "London Auto Services Ltd." in Fairfax, Va., told me if I
> > only needed toe-in & toe-out its $93.00, if I needed caster and camber,
> > upper & lower its $195.00 + all parts and they almost always need some
> > parts, if its real rusted & any stripped bolts it can be a little higher
> > than this, when I asked why so high, he said a F.E. alig. usually takes
> > about 3 hours. When I told him this was a concours show car, he said it
> > might be just a little less. I've been around a long time, and if a
> > mechanic needs 3 hours to alig. a F.E., I prefer not to have it on my
> > car. Thanks but no thanks.
> >
>
> Fred, just had my '88 300ZX aligned (all four wheels). Cost me $74 total (inc
> tax). I had a toe-in problem on both front wheels and a camber problem on 1
> rear wheel. I was amazed at how simple the adjustments were. Of course, he
> had a $30k machine that took the readings. All he did was get under the car
> and adjust the wheels until the computer showed him it was "in spec." He
> showed me that the way to do it was to fix the back end and then re-check the
> front. After he did the back the front was out - then when he did one front
> wheel the other was out, so he adjusted them both until they both were "in
> spec." Took 55 minutes total from the first diagnostic to completion. Ride
> is noticeable different.
>
> He works on Ferraris, Mercedes and Land Rovers and was interested in my TR4
> story. He also said that Nisson was smart enough to keep the adjustments
> simple and pretty easy - not like some modern Detroit stuff. E.g. for the
> 300Z - no castor or camber on the front end - just built strong enough to not
> go out. Cheers.
>
> Art Kelly
Ditto that with my spitfire. Impressive $30,000 machine which even spit out a
report of manufacturers specs., my measurements prior to and after adjustment --
really pretty wild. The big difference though (living in a rural area) total
charge $29. I was expecting (and would have been satisfied with) multiples of
that number.
Ed Hamilton
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