126 front end alignment, "weighted"?
 

The local Firestone shop told me they would not do FEA due to it needing to be "weighted". When asked, they told me certain weights were necessary to be placed in strategic locations to correctly align. Has anyone heard of this? Has anyone had a FEA without weights, and all okay? Don't want to burn through tires, or put someone's kid through college. They did suggest the dealer as my best option....I'd rather not. Thanks.

He's correct that the vehicle needs to have a specific load onboard when the alignment is done. Naturally, the camber is only valid for that one load and will vary with load.

However, to stay precise to the specification, there should be a specific load...........I don't recall the figure.

I'm kind of amazed that a Firestone shop would know this and inisist upon it.

Someone out there has to support the dealers so when the majority of us need a cheap part they are still there..:D There are many opinions but a superior alignment is available from well equiped dealers.
I believe it means using a hydralic spreader bar tied to the computor to pre load the front end.
A lot of alignment machines will not upload a program unless one is used. In my opinion not many independant shops have them.
Since my closest dealer with one is probably 500 miles away. I just found a tire shop with an older FMC four wheel alignment machine. It will bring up the information without the bar attached and they have done several 123 cars for me. All the other alignment machines in my area will not load a program up for the 123 cars. I imagine it is the same for the 126s. Seems to have worked out okay for me so far. Maybe not the best solution but better than no alignment check at all . I have no wear patterns that indicate the front ends are out yet to date. They were all out quite a bit when first taken in though.

barry, agreed with the keeping the dealer mechanics busy deal. I've had an alignment done on a 123 at F'stone, good so far. B.C., I too was taken aback at the fact they were turning down business. Looks like an all day trip to the stealership. Good thing it's the SD, as I'll need the trunk space for my wallet. It's got Bridgestone Potenza's, no longer available, oh by the way, the drivers outside edge is now bald.

update
 

Just got back from the dealership, they won't do the alignment without new tie rods, $330.00. I told him I'll do it myself as I can get them for less than $50.00 each, and I do the install. Also the "weighting" [old school] thing is not done anymore, as the new digital aligners don't need to do that. I think the only reason they didn't start on it, is they did not have the tie rods in stock. The local Sears has a monsterous looking aligner, with flashing (laser?) boxes over head, that should be able to take care of me.

Let us know how Sears does. I'm too far from the dealer and I've yet to find a good local independent shop.

330 dollars to put in tie rods? Wow..

$95/hr + parts.

Per the FSM, the only requirement, regarding weight, is for an empty trunk, passenger compartment, and full tank of fuel.

Yeah, $87.00 each and an hour and a half. Plus $120.00 alignment. They did the math...$450.00 total. Dealer also wanted to know if I was interested in just alignment, or finding problem, and I thought it was just out of alignment. Might be something to it, will get it aligned and then keep an eye on it, will take months. csp97, it'll be next week before I get to Sears, also will need to get good tires on the front for alignment, just a matter of swapping what I have on hand. Found out about the Sears aligner from the guy at AutoZone when I expressed concern about a local indy tire shop.

Gives me faith in humanity

another update
 

Just had an alignment done at Sears. Checked entire suspension system. No drama. Used existing tie rods. Six months or 6000 mile warranty. They provided before and after specs. Toe was WAY out on driver side, just out on passenger. $95.00 and NO pastries in waiting room. Topped off fuel this morning, will check mileage. Past 797 miles, 27.1 avg. mpg. So far, so good. We'll see.

I'm a little surprised you were able to get Sears to do it for you. I tried last summer, and had an experience identical to the one you had at Firestone. I suppose it depends on the alignment machine that they have available. I ending up going to the dealer. I'm looking at doing my lower ball joints sometime in the next couple months, so maybe I'll give Sears another shot.

If they didn't use a spreader bar and the tool to lock the steering box, then the best you're likely to get from a Sears is an okay alignment if you're lucky. Did the print out give you numbers for pressed and unpressed toe?

firestone wouldn't touch my car.. They were afraid of screwing it up