Alignment shop needed.

[Gary_44]

Can anyone recommend a shop that can do a front and rear alignment that understands track/auto-x setups? Maybe even corner balancing? Preferably near Modesto.
I just lowered my car 3 inches, installed coilovers, stiffer springs/torsion bars, and new shocks/struts. I don't really want to drive very far with it all screwed up, but I guess I could trailer it if needed.

I've called a few out of the phone book, but all they know how to do is match the front end to what their computer says for street use only.

[JFine]

I go to Wheel King in Fresno,CA for $90 and they will set it to whatever I want.
Now they however do not have any knowledge of settings, so you would need to know what you want before you get there.
I must say they have been very good to me as I have all of my tire mounting and balancing done there of my new tires and my used tires.
Sorry I do not know of anything up in Modesto. Eric, Dan, Corky and recommendations?
Corky, Since Gary mentioned corner balancing are you considering do another corner balancing this year.

[MR2Xiong]

Hey Josh, at Wheel King, do they print you out a spec sheet too? I haven't been there in a long time and I don't think they did the last time I was there.

[David Silveira]

Hi Gary

My father-in-law lives in Oakdale and he takes his cars to Modesto Alignment. He claims that Dwain has been doing it for years and really does a good gob. But be warned the place doesn’t look like much and he uses the old fashion machines, no fancy computers or lasers. If I were you I would be most concerned with finding someone who knows how to align the rear suspension of the 944. I’ve heard that someone without experience can have a hard time setting it up and you need a special Porsche tool. You might already be aware of recommend settings on 944spec.com. One thing that I have noticed is the guys running pre 85.5 cars like a little rear toe-in to help settle the car under hard braking. The 85.5 and later aluminum Porsche suspension is a little stiffer then the steal Audi suspension so there is less of an issue with flex and can therefore run 0 or extremely little toe-in. If you can’t find someone up there let me know, I’ve heard there’s a shop in Atwater that knows how to adjust Porsche rear suspensions, I’ll find which shop it is.

[JFine]

Ben,
Yes, Wheel King did provide me with a print out of the settings once everything was adjusted.

[dbratten]

Sorry I do not know of anything up in Modesto. Eric, Dan, Corky and recommendations?

Sorry, no help here as I do my own alignments.

--Dan

[Gary_44]

Hi Gary

My father-in-law lives in Oakdale and he takes his cars to Modesto Alignment. He claims that Dwain has been doing it for years and really does a good gob. But be warned the place doesn’t look like much and he uses the old fashion machines, no fancy computers or lasers. If I were you I would be most concerned with finding someone who knows how to align the rear suspension of the 944. I’ve heard that someone without experience can have a hard time setting it up and you need a special Porsche tool. You might already be aware of recommend settings on 944spec.com. One thing that I have noticed is the guys running pre 85.5 cars like a little rear toe-in to help settle the car under hard braking. The 85.5 and later aluminum Porsche suspension is a little stiffer then the steal Audi suspension so there is less of an issue with flex and can therefore run 0 or extremely little toe-in. If you can’t find someone up there let me know, I’ve heard there’s a shop in Atwater that knows how to adjust Porsche rear suspensions, I’ll find which shop it is.

Thanks, David. I called Modesto Alignment and told him my deal. He said he knows the 944 and does track alignments too, so he can do it for me. I'll wait on corner balancing.
Guess I should have just called the first result that popped up when I looked for "Modesto & Alignment":)

I was going to go with zero toe in back, but now that you mention it I'll add some rear toe. So, after a bit of research, I'm going to ask for these specs:
Front: Camber= -2.75, Caster= max, Toe=0
Rear: Camber= -2.0, Caster= max, Toe= 0.5 (1/8") Toe In

[psychostang]

when you get your car aligned, let me know and I will schedule a time we can get together and scale your car.
Corky

[Gary_44]

when you get your car aligned, let me know and I will schedule a time we can get together and scale your car.
Corky

I'll absolutely take you up on that offer. thanks.

[Gary_44]

just a follow up.

Modesto Alignment didn't work out, my car was too low for the lift. Cool guy though. He referred me to his cousin's shop.

So, anyone needing alignment in this area, I highly recommend Scenic Wheel and Brake. He has a lift that's recessed into the floor, so ultra low cars will fit. He has state of the art equipment. He knows his stuff about track/autox setups. He got it done fast. And, he only charged $60...less than half of what the other shops quoted me. Two thumbs up.

[dbratten]

just a follow up.

Modesto Alignment didn't work out, my car was too low for the lift. Cool guy though. He referred me to his cousin's shop.

So, anyone needing alignment in this area, I highly recommend Scenic Wheel and Brake. He has a lift that's recessed into the floor, so ultra low cars will fit. He has state of the art equipment. He knows his stuff about track/autox setups. He got it done fast. And, he only charged $60...less than half of what the other shops quoted me. Two thumbs up.
Excellent! Good to know.

--Dan

[Zap_Workz]

I go to Wheel King in Fresno,CA for $90 and they will set it to whatever I want.
Now they however do not have any knowledge of settings, so you would need to know what you want before you get there.
I must say they have been very good to me as I have all of my tire mounting and balancing done there of my new tires and my used tires.
Sorry I do not know of anything up in Modesto. Eric, Dan, Corky and recommendations?
Corky, Since Gary mentioned corner balancing are you considering do another corner balancing this year.

is it a floor machine or is it ramped???

[3elements]

That's a good deal - thanks for the info!

[rob.ok]

Sounds good. Thanks for the heads up.

BTW in Fresno Sears is good. My friend Justin (with a silver and black S13 that attends many of the autocross and drift events) works there and he is more than willing to help out a bro! That's where I go after trying 8 or 9 shops. Price is right and the equipment is well maintained / calibrated. Plus it's only 60 bucks too. Low cars do have a problem, but not one that a few 2x4s can't solve.

-Rob

[bgriggs]

Sounds good. Thanks for the heads up.

BTW in Fresno Sears is good. My friend Justin (with a silver and black S13 that attends many of the autocross and drift events) works there and he is more than willing to help out a bro! That's where I go after trying 8 or 9 shops. Price is right and the equipment is well maintained / calibrated. Plus it's only 60 bucks too. Low cars do have a problem, but not one that a few 2x4s can't solve.

-Rob

Rob, I know you posted this on the other alignment thread and I have kept it in the back of my mind. Just to confirm, this is the Manchester Sears, not Clovis right?

[rob.ok]

Rob, I know you posted this on the other alignment thread and I have kept it in the back of my mind. Just to confirm, this is the Manchester Sears, not Clovis right?
It's actually the Clovis Sears near Clovis Ave and Serra (near Shaw). I'm not sure if Justin comes on here or not, but he is a trustworthy dude (just ask for him). Since its a big time outfit and because of the warranties that they offer (in regards to tire wear) they calibrate the machines often which is not always the case with mom and pop style shops.

The good thing about places like this, is that it's filled with young car fanatics. They understand your concerns better than a guy that has been doing it for 40 years and only looking to make ends meet.

For custom specs you don't get the life time warranty that they offer, but that is something that we all recognize when we are looking for -3 or more of camber.

-Rob

[cap49]

Had the Corvette aligned at the Clovis Sears on the recommendation of Rob and got a comprehensive alignment to my specs. These guys are good and you can't beat the price.:) Thanks Rob.

[rob.ok]

Had the Corvette aligned at the Clovis Sears on the recommendation of Rob and got a comprehensive alignment to my specs. These guys are good and you can't beat the price.:) Thanks Rob.
No problem man. I'm glad it worked out for you too.

I'm really, really, picky about my specs and how the car is set up and I think I went through something like 8-10 different shops looking for someone that would actually care about what I was trying to achieve. I think those guys can relate cause they're young car enthusiasts (and they appreciate when a nice piece of machinery rolls in instead of the Olds that your grandma drives).

If everyone else like it too, I think we should make a collective effort to bring our business there. The more we go, the better we train these mechanics to meet our expectations and we get to build good relationships with them (which is the most important factor in having a good alignment guy).


Best of luck!
-Rob

[BryanH]

This is an old thread that I found while searching for alignment shop recommendations recently. Last week I took my car to Sears at Sierra Vista mall to be aligned and had a very good experience. They didn't even skip a beat when I asked for a custom alignment to my specifications. Gave me a printout and charged a reasonable price, $75 including tax.

Thanks Rob for the tip!

[h2imports]

Hey guys. I'm glad you had good experiences there. If for some reason Justin isn't working(he ALWAYS has sunday/monday off), there's always someone there who will take the time to do a good job. But if anything, feel free to message me here, and I'll make sure Justin gives you a call if you ever want to check if he'll be there.
Again, I'm glad you guys are having good experiences there.

[VALLEYMUSTANG]

I use Joey at The Tire Store in Fresno ON Blackstone. He runs the blue Beat up vette in Asp. He gets my 02 Mustang on the lift with custom ramps he built for low cars. We set my double adjustable CC plates with no issues to where I want it.
Phone 439-4604. It's not a fancy place but the Alignment rack uses laser. If you call ask for Joey, he manages the place.

VM

[mkiisupra]

Yeah, I go to Scenic, Stan is a great guy! I take all my cars to him, and he will customize the settings for you! I will be seeing him soon to change the springs in the Focus!

[Robs46]

Just wanted to add back into this thread (which is where I got the info in the first place) I just got my alignment done at the Sears at sierra vista mall and they are great. Set up the car to my specs with no issues. They have a great digital system and they gave me a printout of the specs that they set it to with before and after readings. Everyone there was really helpful and the majority of the employees there have already dealt with us "racers" before so they already knew the deal :)

[solo2_z06]

I use Joey at The Tire Store in Fresno ON Blackstone. He runs the blue Beat up vette in Asp. He gets my 02 Mustang on the lift with custom ramps he built for low cars. We set my double adjustable CC plates with no issues to where I want it.
Phone 439-4604. It's not a fancy place but the Alignment rack uses laser. If you call ask for Joey, he manages the place.

VM
Plus one for JOEY!