a new tire and an alignment cost you $430
man they are really proud of their alignments
Guy down street from me who runs garage dropped $65k on an alignment machine few years ago.... freakin GPS and laser... I think he charges $125 for four wheel alignment, which cracks me up- four wheels-.... uhhuh...
I fabricated a device for my super duty, solid front axle truck, which bolted across inner face of wheel... made it level using simple bubble level, and bolted a laser pointer to it... waited until dark and parked in front of the barn. Turned on lasers and went to measuring....
I took four 16" vinyl tiles, two per front wheel... stacked one atop other with wad of grease between them.. made wheels turn easier using the tie rods.
I did this after installing a four link suspension on the front of the truck.... knowing I wouldn't be able to get to the shop for a proper alignment for a few days.
Got to the shop and cut one of my buddies technicians loose on it while me and my buddy chatted and the guy come got me... he said "I cab try, but I'm not going to get it any better than it is and don't want to charge you for just trying"... I was standing there looking at the monitor and.... it was dead on center of the parameters ... they were amazed when I told them how I did it. I didn't design this method, it's been around forever- this tale is more akin to a kid not knowing how to use a rotary phone than anything else...
Now with four wheel independent suspension and cv joints/half axles, this is more difficult... with a solid front axle, though, it's a waste of money to get the fancy alignment.. that four link suspension allowed me to dial 6* castor... stock is 4 to 4.5... that big ass truck handled like a sports car!