Maxie2U

Would you trust Firestone Tire Stores to do an alignment or do you go to a Chevrolet dealer only?

Bill Dearborn

If you want rear caster set it is definite a Firestone Store will not have the proper equipment or even know what you are talking about. With the dealer you have a high liklihood they don't either but there are at least some dealers that do have the equipment and know how to use it.

Bill

ColoradoGS

Personally I don't trust Firestone with any car let alone a Corvette. Any place like Firestone or Jiffy Lube where they bring some part to you in the lobby with a concerned look and tell you how it is "borderline" and "should probably be replaced" is off my list. I have a mechanic I like that is definitely more expensive but doesn't treat me like a fish to reel in.

vbdenny

no, No & NO the "experts" at my local Firestone installed 3 out of 4 of my snow tires on backwards. I didn't tell them the problem, I asked them to figure it out. The first guy and the manager couldn't figure it out. The third guy did. Had to wait another hour and a half while they remounted them.

Well, if they can't put directional tires on properly, you think I'd let them within a mile of my Corvette. Nada. Called corporate and they said ohh, then did absolutely nothing which means if you're not happy, you also screwed. Again, no no no.

Rooster OG

I'm lucky and have an outstanding servicing dealer, so I don't have to worry about that.

EmbraceNext

It depends on the people there. For me, I have been going to my local Firestone for over 14 years. The same managers are there. They have found issues the dealer missed or made mistakes on. Then gave me the paperwork and the GM articles to bring back to the dealer at NO charge. So for my general maintenance I have no problem bringing it to Firestone. They will tell me if they can't fix something like a dealer should and will give me a write up to give to a the dealer. Very happy with my local Firestone.

VADanno

I fabricated my own caster plate at a machine shop, and use a magnetic angle gauge to set the caster. My local alignment guy at Firestone does lots of cars with track alignments. I paid $180 for a lifetime align, and we have switched from street to track three times...and back again. That's six alignments for $30 each. What do you think Chevy would charge?

Marcho Polo

Currently waiting for Firestone to repair damage to the steering wheel in my wife's ATS from when they tried to do an alignment recently. They damaged the airbag cover with some tool they placed on the wheel to level it. They tried to deny that they put anything there, but I watched them do the alignment. On top of the damage, it took them two tries to align and the steering wheel is still off. I will not go to Firestone again. After they take care of the wheel, I'm going to have the Cadillac dealer do the alignment.

For my Corvette, I'll go to a dealer that has a good Corvette reputation and ensure they have the proper tools.

roadbike56

I have a great local shop to set up the alignment on our SUVs. But on the Corvette, C7, there is special equipment that is needed that the average shop does not have. There's another thread on these forums that describes this equipment. Sorry, I don't have access to it now, but it's doubtful that any shop, other than a Chevy dealer has it.

MikeyTX

This. I have had much better luck with them over the years. My dealer doesn't even have an alignment rack he can get a Corvette on.

Vetteman Jack

I would put more trust in a dealer than a Firestone store, but that's just my opinion.

r84boomer66

I use Firestone in my area for a lot of work on the vette. I have built a relationship with the mgr and he only allows 1 tech to work on high end cars. They also beat tire rack tire prices for me whenever I need tires and have swapped out my brake pads for me to get rid of the terrible brake dust from em pads. The brake job was something they had to "bend" the rules to complete because they are not supposed to use customer "carry in" parts and I already had the pads. I am a huge believer in my Firestone store.

fourmat

As others have said depends highly on store or dealer My dealer does have correct equipment but a lot do not. Have you spoke to either?

Corgidog1

The dealer should have a Corvette certified tech to work on the car if they sell corvettes.

The Firestone dealer could have a total newbee working on your car getting some experience.

Which would you choose???

Kracka

My dealer has been great for alignments on all my cars.

hisvett

Bottom line here is to get to know the guy turning the wrenches; I have a great service/customer relationship with my tech at the local Firestone store. I always call first to make sure he is working on the day I want my alignment checked.....life is good!

It also helps that my tech serviced all the cars for a Corvette driving experience at Texas Motor Speedway....he has lots of experience I can count on

4thC4at60

Same guy at the Chevy dealer has been doing my alignments for the past 16 years. He's also the only person who changes tires for me when it's time to do so. This dealership always has the latest equipment.

AORoads

It'd be helpful, OP, if you posted what town you lived in---that could lead some others to suggest places. But, as stated above, and the cautionary tale by vbdenny, it truly is all about the people who do the work, not the name on the front. Bill D. brings up a good point, too, about having the right equipment for rear adjustment. Finally, if it were me (and it has been), either you know of an excellent tech at a dealer who knows what to do, and will do it, or you need to find an indie shop that knows your car, what to do and does it. To me, it is not the store name, or the generic, "dealership". That's my opinion and suggestion.

LimeRock

Firestone lifetime alignments are ok if the car is reasonably close already. They do not want to do the work to get it right if you just had major suspension work done.

Been to three local Firestone and they all have been the same this way with my Dodge Magnum.

dbaker

Had my alignment done this week at Burns Chevrolet in Rock Hill,SC.

They have the rear caster tool and ppl there who know Vettes.

\db2