Dealer ONLY does 4 Wheel Alignments? Why am I paying $89 for toe-set?
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 111
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Dealer ONLY does 4 Wheel Alignments? Why am I paying $89 for toe-set?
I got a quote from my dealer for an alignment for $89 - I told them I only needed my toe set in and not a 4 wheel alignment.
They said they only do 4 wheel alignments because they need to adjust the toe on the rear and make other adjustments too. I told him to ask a mechanic and let me know.
Later I got a call back saying that I have to pay for a 4 wheel alignment because all for wheels go on the machine, and the rear wheels are part of the process... something vague like he still really didn't get it.
Has anyone been able to get a toe set in cheaper at a dealer? This takes me 10 minutes when I do it in my driveway with tape measures and a couple levels strapped to the wheels (so I can at least get somewhere for a pro alignment).
Knowing they just have to fine-tune the toe in, why the heck does that cost so much? Are they just used to ripping off people who don't know better?
They said they only do 4 wheel alignments because they need to adjust the toe on the rear and make other adjustments too. I told him to ask a mechanic and let me know.
Later I got a call back saying that I have to pay for a 4 wheel alignment because all for wheels go on the machine, and the rear wheels are part of the process... something vague like he still really didn't get it.
Has anyone been able to get a toe set in cheaper at a dealer? This takes me 10 minutes when I do it in my driveway with tape measures and a couple levels strapped to the wheels (so I can at least get somewhere for a pro alignment).
Knowing they just have to fine-tune the toe in, why the heck does that cost so much? Are they just used to ripping off people who don't know better?
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,800
Likes: 374
From: Midwest City, OK
This is common practice for alignments. Just do it yourself. The aggravating thing is, if you replaced all eight control arms and both trackbars with adjustable components such that they could actually do a four wheel alignment, I bet they'd charge you extra for not bring stock.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 2
From: Grosse Pointe, MI
Any high quality alignment machine requires all four wheels be setup on the machine. So, only needing toe doesn't save them any labor. If you have adjustable arms, it is actually worth the cost as they can then check things like rear toe.
Some people get lucky measuring toe in the driveway. Most people end up far off. When dealing with 1/16" accuracy, a tape measure doesn't cut it. $90 is a lot cheaper than premature tire, ball joint, drag link, and tie rod wear.
Some people get lucky measuring toe in the driveway. Most people end up far off. When dealing with 1/16" accuracy, a tape measure doesn't cut it. $90 is a lot cheaper than premature tire, ball joint, drag link, and tie rod wear.
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 830
Likes: 7
From: Manassas, VA
Any high quality alignment machine requires all four wheels be setup on the machine. So, only needing toe doesn't save them any labor. If you have adjustable arms, it is actually worth the cost as they can then check things like rear toe.
Some people get lucky measuring toe in the driveway. Most people end up far off. When dealing with 1/16" accuracy, a tape measure doesn't cut it. $90 is a lot cheaper than premature tire, ball joint, drag link, and tie rod wear.
Some people get lucky measuring toe in the driveway. Most people end up far off. When dealing with 1/16" accuracy, a tape measure doesn't cut it. $90 is a lot cheaper than premature tire, ball joint, drag link, and tie rod wear.
Plus even though you may not be able to adjust your caster, thrust angle, or camber with your setup you should want to know what the measurements are to identify a current or future problem.
For me just because I may not be able to adjust those angle does not mean I should ignore them.