I spoke with one of my trusted mechanics. he does not do alignments. he told me that for alignment shops they have to pay for the data of specific vehicles so that they can align for those particular specifications. with newer cars, like the XD, and some 2011+ cars, a lot of places do not want to fork out the cash for this data.

BUT. this does not stop an alignment shop employee from taking your money and just doing your newer car to the specs of DIFFERENT car, ie. XB versus XD, etc.

I went to a couple alignment shops, who said they do not have the data for the XD.

The shop where i had the alignment done was unavailable at the time.

here are my questions to this forum:


1. any validity in these comments? i'm hoping those with personal experience with alignment work can answer up.

2. if this is true and the XD is "too new" a vehicle or shops may be unwilling to pay for the xd data because its not a common car, are there other vehicles that can be used in place? ie, other scion models, also the Toyota Yaris comes to mind (U.S. model began 2007 i believe).

3. when i get an alignment i dont get OEM specs. i have custom specs requested. doesn't it STILL matter that the shop use the XD data/specs if i want the before/after specs to be accurate?

4. How difficult is it for an alignment machine to tune a car, specifically the XD, EXACTLY to a customer's requests? this is keeping in mind nothing extreme, i have an eibach camber kit. no spacers, adapters, etc.


sorry for long post...but i seriously want to know and not just be blind sided about stuff that happens to my XD.

 

I dont know exactly to what you refer, but I do know alignment machines can put you running straight by aligning the tires with each other. To what the mechanic may be talking about is stock alignment specs which can have broad tolerances. As for our car, I know a big drop can throw the rear out of spec tolerance being that our rear can not be adjusted.

 

He lied to your face. Alignment spec books and/or information on the alignment machine's computer are sent out in batches by year and not brand/model. Also any shop worth a damn should be in the alldata network as well which again has the caster, camber, and toe specs for an xD.

 

^^but do the shops have to pay for these yearly batches you mentioned? thx for the tips. btw most places in my area charge about $70 for alignment.

 

$70 is about average for a laser alignment for the front. If you are RWD, a complete alignment cost more, but includes a thrust alignment.

 

Depends, we don't pay for the updates Hunter sends out but it might be different depending on the machine/company the shop goes with. Price for an all wheel alignment around here is usually $80.