North Valley Alignment Shops?

[HiJinx]

So, I'm told to go to Network Alignment on Cave Creek, but Scott there always just seems like he could give a crap less about my XJ or my concerns, and does a good job of sounding like he's trying to make me look like a moron, which makes me feel like he doesn't know what he's talking about.
So, I don't really want to take my XJ there any more.

so, does anyone else know of any good alignment shops? I need my adjustable track bar installed, adjusted, and my front end aligned.
Scott sounded like I was a moron for wanted my front end re-centered.

[DsrtJeeper]

So, I'm told to go to Network Alignment on Cave Creek, but Scott there always just seems like he could give a crap less about my XJ or my concerns, and does a good job of sounding like he's trying to make me look like a moron, which makes me feel like he doesn't know what he's talking about.
So, I don't really want to take my XJ there any more.

so, does anyone else know of any good alignment shops? I need my adjustable track bar installed, adjusted, and my front end aligned.
Scott sounded like I was a moron for wanted my front end re-centered.

Install the track bar yourself. It's a piece of cake. Do you have adjustable control arms? If not; you can do a toe alignment yourself. I can show you how very easily. If you just don't care to do it; try Gary's Alignment on Deer Valley and 19th Ave. 4 Wheelers is the place to hit though. ;)

[HiJinx]

I'm running a 4" or so lift. So, if I install the trackbar, how do I get the axle centered?
I'm not sure what you mean by adjustable control arms, but I think they are. There are what appear to be adjuster thingies (technical term) on the *** end/chassis side of the lower control arms.
So, 4 Wheelers is the place to have my alignment done you say?
I'd like someone who knows Jeeps and especially lifted Jeeps work on it. But, at the same time, if I have to have it worked on, I don't want to pay an arm and a leg.

[HiJinx]

PS. When installing the track bar, does the suspension need to be unloaded? If so, that may be a problem as I'm still replacing all my tools, jacks, jackstands slowly. I don't have all the appropriatly sized gear yet. I'm going from lowered VW sized tools to lifted Jeep size tools. lol. The difference in what I have and what I need is comical.

[DsrtJeeper]

PS. When installing the track bar, does the suspension need to be unloaded? If so, that may be a problem as I'm still replacing all my tools, jacks, jackstands slowly. I don't have all the appropriatly sized gear yet. I'm going from lowered VW sized tools to lifted Jeep size tools. lol. The difference in what I have and what I need is comical.

Call Mike Tibben at 4 Wheelers and set an appt. It sounds like you'd be better off with them doing the work for you. ;)

[FrenchChili]

4wheelers...but If ya don't want to drive that far Desert Rat is down the street

[Simon]

Desert Rat hmmm never heard of em:D

[HiJinx]

Just talked to Mike and they're backed up for a couple weeks, so that probably won't do unfortunatly. I wanna get this done so I don't trash my tires. My alignment feels a might bit off.
I haven't heard the greatest things about Desert Rat, but ya, they are about a block from my house. Arg.

Ok, so the track bar install, loaded or unloaded suspension? I imagine unloaded right?

[DsrtJeeper]

Just talked to Mike and they're backed up for a couple weeks, so that probably won't do unfortunatly. I wanna get this done so I don't trash my tires. My alignment feels a might bit off.
I haven't heard the greatest things about Desert Rat, but ya, they are about a block from my house. Arg.

Ok, so the track bar install, loaded or unloaded suspension? I imagine unloaded right?

It's very simple. Unbolt and remove old one with vehicle sitting on the tires. Install new one at frame end first then axle end. I'd set the new track bar length a tad bit longer than the stocker before installing it. If you have trouble getting the bolt in or aligning the axle end; have a helper slowly turn the steering wheel one way then the other until everything lines up. This will hold you over until your alignment. This still won't help your tire wear though.

[HiJinx]

thnx. super easy.

[danno]

I go to Buddy's Alignment on Raintree off of 101 in North Scottsdale.

http://www.buddysautorepair.com/

They have always done a good job, they use a rack as opposed to a tape measure or a piece of string (like Desert Rat) and they are always polite and are willing to spend the time to discuss my alignment issues.

They are family owned and have been around since 1976 and Buddy is a really nice fella...

[HiJinx]

I go to Buddy's Alignment on Raintree off of 101 in North Scottsdale.

http://www.buddysautorepair.com/

They have always done a good job, they use a rack as opposed to a tape measure or a piece of string (like Desert Rat) and they are always polite and are willing to spend the time to discuss my alignment issues.

They are family owned and have been around since 1976 and Buddy is a really nice fella...

I work on 101 and Raintree. Sounds like the best bet.
Thanks.

[YGOHOME]

I used to take my jeep to Buddys alignment religiously for all my jeep balancing and alignment... I recommended the family shop to my dad and the rest of my family. till recently a couple months ago.

here's what changed my mind about Buddys and I swore never to return:

they require scheduled appointments only, no walkins. nothing unusual there. Except, one day I scheduled for a 2:30 pm appointment (the only time they could get me in before a 3 day holiday weekend), I show up at 2:15... I wait an hour and then I'm told that they are sorry but they have to reschedule for another date... so I've missed a couple hours of work just to be rescheduled 4 days later. I come back the next work day (the next tuesday) and after waiting 3 hrs they complete the alignment and balancing. I look the jeep over and they didn't rebalance the rear wheels, the old weights were still on there (all crooked and some missing still from rock rash). I went back in and told Buddy and the "new guy" comes out and simply replaces the old weights with new weights of the same and same placement. Totally bogus, they didn't even balance em. I drive home and it handles worse than when I took it in. I called Buddy and went back and he said he'll just refund the cost of the balancing instead of having them rebalance it correctly. He apparently saw me as a bothersome cutsomer at this point. I was calm but inside my blood was boiling. I took it to Dicount tire and told them the horror that I just experienced so without me even asking they Road Balanced all 4 tires for free! Wow! and they got it done that evenning, no scheduling.

So now I get all my balancing at Discount. I just do the toe-in myself now or I'll go to Absolute Offroad or 4Wheelers (discount doesnt do alignment).

so, even though Buddies used to do excellent work on my jeep previously, the last time I was there was just soo bad I couldn't stand going back again. I told my dad and he says he'd never go in there again either after hearing what I went through. But if you still want to try them, the large hawain(sp?) guy working at Buddys does excellent work, so if you go, try to ask for him to do the alignment/balancing.

=Ben

[HiJinx]

Just called Buddys. They won't touch it since it's been lifted. And the guy was kind of a #&@%!
I'm getting really frustrated now. I need this heep aligned so I can get the tires balanced, which I've had done thrice now to no avail. I'm hoping the "balance" issue is really an alignment issue, but in anycase, here I sit, with no shop that WANTS to work on my jeep. I'm tired of being made to feel like my request for service at a service facility is a burden to said facility.
Just venting.

[My1stJeep]

Call Joe at Absolute Off Road 602-248-8949. Back when I met him 7 years ago that was all he did was alignments. He now owns his own shop.

[YGOHOME]

Call Joe at Absolute Off Road 602-248-8949. Back when I met him 7 years ago that was all he did was alignments. He now owns his own shop.


Yeah, Joe's good. I don't know if he has a balancing machine yet though but he can definately get the alignment taken care of.

If you want though, I can install your track bar(s) for you. And for the tierod I can get that adjusted pretty close... won't be perfect but close enough until you can get a pro to fine tune it for you. I live in North Scottsdale (north of the 101)

When you do take it in though, ask joe to check the caster. Without the proper caster you can get alot of death wobble when you hit even the tiniest of bumps.

[HiJinx]

Yeah, Joe's good. I don't know if he has a balancing machine yet though but he can definately get the alignment taken care of.

If you want though, I can install your track bar(s) for you. And for the tierod I can get that adjusted pretty close... won't be perfect but close enough until you can get a pro to fine tune it for you.

When you do take it in though, ask joe to check the caster. Without the proper caster you can get alot of death wobble when you hit even the tiniest of bumps.


Ya, Joe's a great guy. He helped me out on my last XJ a bit. And ya, I'm a might bit familiar with the wobble o' death. My last XJ had it and I never could get it to completely go away, though I got it to occour far less often before I sold it.
I'm gonna have Rick B and his crew at Discount do the balancing. Rick is familiar with my balance issue. Last I talked to him about it, I let him know that I'm gonna get the alignment taken care of before I have them try and rebalance again.
I left Joe a message. Hopefully he calls me back. I was hoping to not have to drive that far, but at this point, I just need it done. And, I know Joe knows his XJs, which makes me feel good.

[HiJinx]

Just talked to Joe.
Joe, thanks again. As always, you've been more help than could be expected.

[danno]

Just called Buddys. They won't touch it since it's been lifted. And the guy was kind of a #&@%!
I'm getting really frustrated now. I need this heep aligned so I can get the tires balanced, which I've had done thrice now to no avail. I'm hoping the "balance" issue is really an alignment issue, but in anycase, here I sit, with no shop that WANTS to work on my jeep. I'm tired of being made to feel like my request for service at a service facility is a burden to said facility.
Just venting.


Wow I am really surprised here... I had my Alignment redone at their shop only 1 1/2 months ago. They took good care of me then too... I have a 5.5 inch Rubicon Express long arm lift and I have an aftermarket RockKrawler X-Factor steering setup which uses heim joints for adjustment as opposed to ball joints. They had taken good care of me with that as well... I apologise that I recommended you to the shop and they provided this type of treatment to you...

One of the reasons why I chose them in the first place was because they "Specialize in Lift Kits" according to the signage on the front of their building.

[HiJinx]

As does their website. Odd. No need to appologize though. Maybe the guy that was on the phone was inbred or something.
It sure would have been nice to go there though cause its' just down the street from me.
I do appreciate you sending me their way. Help is always good.
thnx.