Is there an alignment shop you guys recommend for working on these old toys of ours and specifically in the Bay Area near Milpitas?

I'm afraid I won't get what I want even if I ask at the local shop...most shops only want to do "factory spec" and I would want to have the alignment specs lean slightly towards the handling side for my '65.

Thanks!

RD

Just take it to a chain store and hand them the specs and request a copy of the printout. I worked at a couple chain stores for a while and would do whatever the customer wanted, obviously I would tell them what I wanted to do and why, but ultimately do what they asked.

Thanks Dennis,

I did yet another search and found the shop recommended over in Concord.

But, I'll go to my local shop here and hope to get good results. Ended up calling in for an appointment and the guy in charge owns a '65 Malibu SS as well and says he always aligns to what the tires can handle, not always what the original specs were for any given vehicle. He also did ask if there had been any modifications to the Malibu which hopefully indicates he's been around the block and knows what he's talking about.

Crossin my fingers...

Ricardo

So what shop is it in Concord? After I finish the front end this next week, I'm going to have to get the steering aligned and I live in Concord. I was going to go to the local Goodyear by my house, but I'm interested if there's someone better around here to do it. Let us know how it goes. Thanks!!

Concord Safety center.Family ran/owned a little more $$ than the chain stores but they do it right the first time.

Thanks!! I'll look them up this week..

Well, I finally got this completed today and it did not turn out well.

The car was pulling to the right as soon as I drove off the shop which had now closed. The very next day, it started to rain (continuously for 3+ weeks) in the area. I waited to take the car back in and called before going in - they did agree to look at it. Also, the steering wheel was now off-center, turned to the left.

Later on the day I returned with the car, just before closing (again) I get a call asking me to go by the shop because they couldn't get the car started so they did not get the alignment done and it was closing time. The car had a blown fuse (never did that before...). So I take the car back today in the morning and later I get a call from the alignment tech saying "you did something to the car" and that the UCA bushings were new now, etc. etc.

End of story: I get the car back today and it still pulls to the right although it's much less and the steering wheel is now back to being centered. Needless to say, I'm not going back to this shop which is unfortunate because I really wanted to have a shop to trust. Next time I'll follow Dennis' advise and just go to WWorks.

Ricardo

Hey, bring it down to Livermore with the print-out they gave you and I'll dial it in...it should only take 15-20 minutes.

Take it to Ron at ASAP automotive in Fremont. On Blacow just off of Thornton. Its an independent shop that does general automotive repair. I work in the same complex where his shop is and I've know him for quite a few years. He did the alignment on my el camino when I rebuilt the front end. Drives straight as an arrow now. Even let me borrow his bead-blaster to clean up the control arms :cool: . He's got the computerized rack thing and I see alot of nice older cars there being worked on. Plus he's got a really nice 67 malibu and a sweet 63 nova that runs in the 9's. He's a nice guy and has always been honest with me whenever I've had him work on any of my cars. Not the cheapest in town I imagine, but I know its not just some punk working on my car.

I caught this a little late, but I highly reccomend Reinegger Frame and wheel on S. 3rd st in San Jose. The guy there is very good. Will set it up to your specs, and adjust for driver weight, etc. He is even cheaper than wheel works for their "custom" alignment, what a joke. I take both my cars there for alignment.

Tim

We send all of our customers to west coast mufflers in Concord on Market St. We work close with Steve, he is the owner there. If you still need help give him a call and tell him Matt's Classic Bowties sent you over. They work on lowered/lifted truck and classic hotrods all day long!

Matt

Thanks to all for the new information. This is my daily driver joy. The reason I went to a local shop was because I wanted to be able to drive the car right after the disc upgrade for a short distance without worrying about permanently damaging anything by driving it and also to avoid having to transport it on a tow truck.

I am ok with the way it handles now but I don't have that warm fuzzy feeling about the way it handles on freeway on- and off-ramps.

I may take your word Dennis or at least meet up with you at the GG Show this weekend.

Thanks!

Ricardo