Hi, I have a 2003 A4 3.0 with Sport Package (17" rims) and recently had a new set of Potenza Pole Position tires put on after a flat. A few days later, I brought my car to Pep Boys for an alignment (the tires were installed at a small shop in Manhattan). They offer a 3-year warrantied alignment for $140. But after putting the car up on the rack, the Pep Boys guy told me I had to go to an Audi dealership to get a proper alignment. He said my rear right wheel was pushed in by 0.2 and forward by 0.7 - does this make sense that he couldn't do the alignment? I don't know whether to think the guy just didn't want to deal with it and I just need to go to a different shop, or I really should go to the dealer.

Thing is, I called the local Audi dealers and they charge $290 for an A4 alignment. This sounds ridiculous to me, but I don't want to drive my car around to different places just to hear them say "we can't do it." I called Firestone, and they offer a lifetime alignment for $140 but I'm skeptical having seen several Firestone complaints on this forum. Plus, who knows if they're any better than Pep Boys? I don't want to get a run-around!

Thanks,
Doug

 

Any good tire shop will be able to do the alignment. If your willing to cone to SI, you can go to Guy's Tires or Tire Empire both are very good tire shops with modern equipment.

 

If u have a firestone by your house go there they will be able to do it for 69.99. Nice selection on the tires 960s are bad *** tires!

 

$70 is what a 4 wheel alignment should cost.
For a good front end shop use this site:

http://www.gsp9700.com/pub/search/findgsp9700.cfm

 

their BSing you, they told me hte same thing the first time and when i went there again and got another guy he did it in about 30 minutes, i had both alignment sheets and you can see that one fo the wheel was still in the red and on the latter sheet it was properly aligned. try another pepboys since the warrenty should apply to all stores. or try NTB if you guys have that out there, ive never had a problem there. and stay away from friestone they suck they wouldnt even look at my car when i brought it in so i went to NTB right next door.

 

cause technically their is a adjustment that NO tire shop can make.

they do not have the tools for it... or the specs.

and thats raised toe.

now honestly... at the dealer. unless you have a repair that effects raised toe... they won't make the adjustment either. takes way too long and really only effect alignment during extensive jounce and rebound of the suspension.

but you should be to find a tire shop to do it cause they are alot easier compared to most cars