What's a good tire alignment shop in Los Angeles... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rino · #1 08-31-2008, 11:23 AM

...where they know what they are doing and how to handle an old MB, have the appropriate machinery, provide before and after specs, and do not charge an arm and a leg?

Suggestions based on your memorable experiences?

rino · #2 09-01-2008, 02:57 PM

Anyone from LA who feels like sharing their experience here?

UriahT · #3 09-01-2008, 03:38 PM

When I lived there, Mr. MB motors in Tarzana always did me right. Reasonable, and they know their old Mercedes.
I don't know if they do alignments, but they're worth a shot. At least you could call them and they'd be straight about who they recommend.
Otherwise, shouldn't most any alignment shop do an alright job, provided there's nothing that needs replacing?

curlytom · #4 09-01-2008, 03:59 PM

Mr. MB does not do alignments (otherwise I would have chimed in and recommended him) he takes the cars somewhere else... the tire store across from his shop, I think.
He took my car there for an alignment, but it didn't stay true for too long; I had uneven tire wear soon after.
I don't know anything about this shop, but, besides mechanical work, they do frame straightening and body work etc, etc - you may want to give them a call and see if they do alignments: http://www.blvdautorepair.com/testimonials.asp

How 'bouts this one (I don't know anything about them either, give them a call):
http://www.beachmercedes.com/Our_Shop.htm

rino · #5 09-02-2008, 12:07 PM

Well, I have a long list of local alignment shops myself that I know nothing about... So I really wanted to hear from someone with a recommendation based on personal experience in this area.

One thing, for a W123 should I align just the front, or all four wheels? I recall reading somewhere that there's very little to align when it comes to rear wheels. Anything else I should know about before walking into a local alignment shop?

mark cummins · #6 09-02-2008, 01:20 PM

I Use Johnsons Alignment in The South Bay

They do Alignments the old school way....Unlike todays hi Tech if its close its in the green

Johnsons have done all of my Porsches as well as set up cars for the track..corner balance etc

Before you have the car alignment done inspect the front end ball joints/tie rods/strut bushings BEFORE getting the work done..

remcoy · #7 10-14-2008, 03:38 PM

Stokes Tire Pro's in Santa Monica is great..

curlytom · #8 10-25-2008, 03:49 PM

rino - so...did you find a good alignment shop?

MBDFahrer · #9 06-11-2009, 02:00 AM

Anyone find a decent alignment shop?

curlytom · #10 06-16-2009, 08:01 AM

After searching and asking in this and other forums, I found out that the best place to go to get our cars aligned is...the dealer.
That is where I finally had to do and I'm very happy with the results.

MBDFahrer · #11 06-18-2009, 05:07 AM

Thanks for the heads up, does the price vary by dealer? Which dealer did you go to?

curlytom · #12 06-19-2009, 02:31 PM

I really didn't want to go to my local dealer because of a prior bad experience - but, they're close by and way too convenient.
I went to the Valencia Mercedes dealer. However, it did take them a couple of tries. After the first try the car was pulling to the right. I took it back and they found out that their Hunter machine was out of calibration. They asked me to come back in a couple of days to allow them to get their equipment calibrated - they also promised a loaner car to not inconvinience me anymore. I returned in a couple of days, got my loaner car for a day (spanking brand new C300) and got my car aligned - was done correctly this time around.
It's been about 6 monhs now since they aligned my car and I've not had any issues. The car has even thread wear and it drives straight and true...I'm happy

ps - paid $120.00 -ouch! But worth it...