Firestone vs Toyota Alignments

Hi. I'm considering buying the Firestone Lifetime Alignment, because I tinker with my suspension a lot. I've mostly been getting alignments done by the Toyota dealer because I had a bad experience one time with a private shop not getting it right.

How is Firestone? Do they know what they are doing?

Thanks

 

Don't do it.

They will only adjust toe in/out. Even though on my vehicles it is very easy to adjust camber & caster (loosening the strut bolts or control arms depending on vehicle) they refuse saying its "non adjustable". I even pointed out to them you just loosen this bolt and that bolt and pry it you can adjust camber/caster, which by the way, IS how a proper alignment shop does it.

And IF you happen to replace something in your front end either yourself or have the Dealership or another shop perform the work (even it under warranty) - a tie rod, a ball joint, a control arm, install a lift kit, and go to get a "free" lifetime alignment, they will not touch it because *THEY didn't do the work.

Honestly, I feel ripped off.

See below for their ass blowing description of what they are supposed to do:

https://www.firestonecompleteautoca...cise-and-perfect-alignment-for-every-vehicle/

 

Read the fine print too for Firestone. I go there to get alignment when need and never had an issue.

But they have or had a clause any modification to the suspension voids the lifetime.

 

If you actually tinker with your suspension a lot, find a level spot and DIY like race car mechanics do.

 

Sounds like a nightmare that seems to match alot of reviews I've read on Google

 

Firestone is a franchise so experiences can vary greatly from one store to another.

I bought a lifetime alignment with a Firestone near me. They've been great.....granted I don't have UCA's. Maybe they would be persnickety if I did but they seem to be pretty level headed.

My advice is to go into your Firestone ahead of time and get a sense for how they are. Ask them if they would have any issues aligning your specific truck. If they do have any issue with it or if you just don't like them, walk away.

 

They won’t do suspension with “aftermarket” suspension.

I had this since about 2019. I went in recently, just before I decided to do a bunch of work to my 4Runner, and they asked me if I had a “lift”. I was puzzled and asked what did he mean, body or suspension? I said I hadn’t besides some rear end work and 5100 shocks. If I did they said they couldn’t do it. I then asked if I had put on some TRD pro shocks what would happen. He was a little puzzled after that.

I guess they scan the vin and the computer tells them how to align it. They can’t do custom castor numbers or won’t. I got my money out of mine but if you plan to so suspension work, I wouldn’t do it. Take it to a shop that knows what they are doing. One of the guys asked me about a rear end alignment and I was puzzled at first and then he realized that’s not possible on a 4Runner.

 

They will they did mine must just depend on the shop.

The guy there just warned me any modifications to the suspension would void the lifetime alignment.

 

I attempted to get ours done at Firestone after WD install and the tech said their machine would not align since it wasn't factory suspension height anymore. I have an appointment at local 4x4 shop Friday. It appears the camber is a little out and it does not pull or brake funny. Probably just go lucky but I did mark the LCA adjusters to make sure I didn't move them. We'll see I spose..

 

They are franchised so maybe that owner was just cheap.

I don't know what requirements are for each franchise.

 

Not my experience at all with the Firestone near me.

I have a lift and asked them to get the most caster they could out of it.

I was told no problem and they did it.

 

Interesting. I’ll try again next time. I’m in San Diego, so plenty of stores to check. This last time I was very unimpressed by their “knowledge”, so I went to a local place and paid the fee. Plus I sort of wanted a knowledgeable shop to look over my handy work.

Edit: Beeline for those in San Diego is where I go for alignments. Solid shop.

 

Firestone's are individually owned so not all of them will be the same.

Nevertheless, always worth going to a reputable offroad shop if you're lucky enough to have one near you.

 

Each Firestone is definitely different. First time I went to one was after lifting my 2022 ORP. I told them this is the reason for my alignment, and they informed me of the lifetime alignment at that time. I’ve used it twice since at two different locations. The second location I went to actually said they would align to custom specs if my lift kit provided any. That said, I don’t get the feeling they’re the most experienced. The last two times they haven’t attempted to adjust caster and just tell me it’s out of spec at just over 4° with my aftermarket UCA’s.

 

I have had incorrect alignment done at my dealer.
A independent tire shop I have used for decades does the best job for alignment.
I buy lifetime tire balance but have never bought lifetime alignment. A good alignment by a skilled technician can take up to an hour for front end only. So I do not mind paying the $100.00 or so.