this is why you can't go to NTB even for a stock alignment.

[SirHustlerEsq]

I usually don't make threads about this crap, but I wasted so much time with it this weekend that I thought I should let you know.

I needed a basic alignment on my 1995 daily driver. I've given NTB roughly $800 for alignments over the last 4-years, but that amounted to nothing. I went to the Lewisville NTB and this is where the fun started.

Day One:
first I'm told the left lower ball joint is bad and they need $550 to replace both of them. I went to look and the ball joint was loose...the ones with 20k miles on them with brand new-looking rubbers. The manager guy insisted that "see the bolt spinning, that needs to be replaced". I told him to tighten it and he said that "its just spinning and tightening it won't fix it." He then became huffy/puffy and told the tech to "get this car off the rack." So the tech tightened the ball joint and it was magically fixed. Then after it was aligned I heard the car fire up and leave. After about 20-minutes I looked outside, saw the car, and asked if they were ever going to tell me it was done.

Then, it got worse. I asked for the spec sheet and he would not provide it. I asked how much time I had left on my 3-year alignment for my 1991, and he said the car didn't exist in the system although I had a receipt.

Day 2:
The car is pulling right and very erratic over bumps, and steers easier left than right so I took it back. The same douche-bag insists that "its the stiff shocks making it erratic over bumps." I asked him to see the spec sheet and he told me he'd put it on the rack. So once it was loaded up on the rack I looked and sure enough the front toe was -.05 left and -.35 right. I suggested to the manager that 300% more toe on one side is probably the issue, he insisted that it was "in spec". I then got nasty and asked him if I had to call the corporate office and bitch, or if he'd adjust one wheel and never see my face in his shop again. Well, he chose the latter and I don't blame him. Now the toe is reasonable and the car goes straight, steering feels fine, and I'm happy its over.

I'm tempted to tattle on them to the BBB over the ball joint issue and general bullshit. I'm fairly certain the ball joint wasn't loose when I brought in it, I would have felt it, the exposed threads were clean, and again...I would have felt it. I'm also a little concerned because while I waited, two other people were sold on ball joints who were doing alignments.

From now on I'm either going to 5th gear for alignments $120 but I know it will be right, or $75 to Bobby Gentry's in Denton.

[Sharpie]

I used Bobby Gentry's several times too. No complaints. At least AJ isn't involved with that crappy store anymore. Sad to hear they're screwing it up.

[SirHustlerEsq]

I used Bobby Gentry's several times too. No complaints. At least AJ isn't involved with that crappy store anymore. Sad to hear they're screwing it up.

I don't mind going up to the tech, giving him a $20, and telling him to make it exact. Is this a reasonable accommodation at Gentry's?

[POS Racing]

I'm tempted to tattle on them to the BBB over the ball joint issue and general bullshit. I'm fairly certain the ball joint wasn't loose when I brought in it, I would have felt it, the exposed threads were clean, and again...I would have felt it. I'm also a little concerned because while I waited, two other people were sold on ball joints who were doing alignments.

I would!

You wonder how many other folks just paid the $$$$ because the Highly Skilled folks at NTB told them it needed replaced........

I know my sister has had issues with shops trying to make extra money off of her since she doesn't know shit about cars. I'm sure this ball joint scheme has helped that NTB store make some extra $$$$.....

[SirHustlerEsq]

I would!

You wonder how many other folks just paid the $$$$ because the Highly Skilled folks at NTB told them it needed replaced........

I know my sister has had issues with shops trying to make extra money off of her since she doesn't know shit about cars. I'm sure this ball joint scheme has helped that NTB store make some extra $$$$.....

My GF's Daddy decided to get her jeep aligned since he curbed it. I went through the car like a good BF about 2-weeks ago and found a bad tie rod-end and nasty brake fluid. It came back with new ball joints, the same tie rod, new brakes, and the same oil coffee-like fluid.

[driftdevil]

+1 on letting the BBB know. They are not training their people very well over there either. I went and had my tires mounted on the new wheels and the guy at the counter (a young kid) was very helpful and did them for me. The problem came when the dumbass manager called him into the office, (i'm guessing because he was doing my wheels) and the "tire tech" started trying to work on them. He ended up putting 2 tires on backwards and then tried to argue with me and tell me I was wrong. So when the counter guy came back out to balance them he caught it and fixed the problem. Needless to say I won't go back to that one for anything, guess I'm going to Gentry's or 5th gear for the alignment.

[SirHustlerEsq]

+1 on letting the BBB know. They are not training their people very well over there either. I went and had my tires mounted on the new wheels and the guy at the counter (a young kid) was very helpful and did them for me. The problem came when the dumbass manager called him into the office, (i'm guessing because he was doing my wheels) and the "tire tech" started trying to work on them. He ended up putting 2 tires on backwards and then tried to argue with me and tell me I was wrong. So when the counter guy came back out to balance them he caught it and fixed the problem. Needless to say I won't go back to that one for anything, guess I'm going to Gentry's or 5th gear for the alignment.

Was it the guy with teh greasy mullet? I'm thinking about calling the district manager to bitch considering I paid $210 for a 3-year alignment on the turbo car back when AJ was there.

I haven't had an alignment from Gentry's, but they told me they'd put it right where I wanted it for $75, and agreed that a a degree of caster or any variance in toe was too much, so that's promising.

[driftdevil]

The one that mounted them wrong was a short fat kid but don't recall him having a mullet. I used Gentry for all my mustangs when I needed exhaust work and they always were helpful. Just don't let them weld a hanger on the back of an LS camaro, LOL. They did one for my brother-in-law and started a small fire. Didn't hurt the car but it was one of those butt puckering moments.

[SirHustlerEsq]

Oh well, 5th gear it is. It sucks to pay $100 to mount and balance tires or $120 for an alignment...but when you consider accuracy, alignment specs, and NOT using an impact on my new $8/each alignment bolts, its worth it.

[ray_sir_6]

http://www.yellowbot.com/toms-souths...ington-tx.html

Tom's Southside alignment is the only place I have found that will do a decent alignment. Everytime I goto NTB (even with STOCK SUSPENSION CARS), the car pulls on way or the other, the steering wheel is never centered, and the alignment seems to come loose after about a week. Plus Tom's has a drive-on rack, no ramps, so no issues with lowered cars.

[gabkwong]

Can you guys give the contact info. of these places doing "good" alignment! I have a new suspension setup and is badly needing an alignment done before I mess up my tires. Any of these places let you sit in the car while they do the alignment? Thanks!

[goofygrin]

Cobb is closer to Rowlett (in Plano) and they'll let you sit in the car. They aren't TCB though.

[SirHustlerEsq]

http://www.yellowbot.com/toms-souths...ington-tx.html

Tom's Southside alignment is the only place I have found that will do a decent alignment. Everytime I goto NTB (even with STOCK SUSPENSION CARS), the car pulls on way or the other, the steering wheel is never centered, and the alignment seems to come loose after about a week. Plus Tom's has a drive-on rack, no ramps, so no issues with lowered cars.

I'm pretty sure my new alignment hardware won't come loose considering they impacted them on and the adjuster thingies are mushroomed.

[SirHustlerEsq]

Cobb is closer to Rowlett (in Plano) and they'll let you sit in the car. They aren't TCB though.

Yeah, not paying $300 for an alignment. I could drive my car to MER and get it corner weighted and aligned for $50 more.