Where to go for alignment in the Guelph/Waterloo area

[greffer31]

I just had lowering springs installed on my car and I will need an alignment in a week or two. Does anyone have a suggestion of somewhere in the Guelph/Waterloo area for a good alignment that I dont have to break the bank for?

[Mitchell3]

The only place I know of that does lowered alignments is Point Zero in Waterloo. It isn't cheap though.

[Genpu_Mz3]

i had mine done at true center in guelph (479 elmira rd, 226-314-0953) it was like $100 after tax for all 4 wheels, and also dettmer tire in guelph (325 eramosa rd, 519-763-8473) does lowered cars, but they are a bit more expensive.

[FD22]

Meineke in Waterloo on Weber does alignments for about $100 after tax. They deal with lowered cars as well.

Just gotta be cautious with them and make sure they're on track. Left my car for an alignment with them once, and they ended up hardly changing the 3+ degrees of negative camber I had because they didn't know the rear camber arms I had were adjustable :facepalm (the sort of knowledge I would expect from a professional shop). However they did take it back and adjust it properly after that.

[Mitchell3]

Thats much better than PZ. 150 before tax :rolleyes

[Genpu_Mz3]

Thats much better than PZ. 150 before tax :rolleyes

holy ****, even the expensive place in guelph is $89.99 before tax

[FD22]

Yea, I remember shopping around for alignments last season, and PZ was definitely one of the most expensive. You're not going to find a reputable shop that will do it under $90 minimum. At least in the area. Most are all going to be around $100.

[greyseason]

Altech in markham? will do it for members for $60 tax i believe, its just, in markham haha. I should really get n alignment, but my car 'feels' fine. Maybe once i toss the winters on

[greffer31]

Thanks for the help guys, Ill do some digging

[Mitchell3]

Altech in markham? will do it for members for $60 tax i believe, its just, in markham haha. I should really get n alignment, but my car 'feels' fine. Maybe once i toss the winters on

Have you not since you lowered? I would keep a close eye on your tires until you get it. Over one summer I procrastinated an alignment after the s-techs and oops they nearly exploded on me from alignment ware.

[greyseason]

Have you not since you lowered? I would keep a close eye on your tires until you get it. Over one summer I procrastinated an alignment after the s-techs and oops they nearly exploded on me from alignment ware.

Shit eh, I've looked at then a few times, and never had anybody from service heckle me for new rubber or anything. I'll take a look after work today. I think ill get one next week, just to be safe

[Mitchell3]

Your alignment may not have gotten as out of whack as mine so you may be fine for now.

I happened to have an unrelated leak and they noticed. Along with a nice nail in another tire. :chuckle Poor tires.

[greyseason]

all this tire speak, is getting me thinking i should take a good look at them, but unless theyre off its kinda a pain to roll the car around

[greffer31]

Have you not since you lowered? I would keep a close eye on your tires until you get it. Over one summer I procrastinated an alignment after the s-techs and oops they nearly exploded on me from alignment ware.

Did you have to get a cam kit when you installed your s-techs?

[greyseason]

Did you have to get a cam kit when you installed your s-techs?

Some people do, apparently with prokits you wont need them, but anything lower you will. My car sits fine with the S-techs on. There is camber in the rear(moreso than stock) but isnt bad. I think for the price of them, theyd be good to have

[Mitchell3]

Did you have to get a cam kit when you installed your s-techs?

Yes, well before the alignment I needed them. Did it after the s-techs were in.

[The Wolf]

OP, if you haven't gotten an alignment yet, consider Mufflerman at Highland and Westmount in Kitchener. They accommodated me and I'm likely the lowest 3 locally. I paid $80.

[greffer31]

OP, if you haven't gotten an alignment yet, consider Mufflerman at Highland and Westmount in Kitchener. They accommodated me and I'm likely the lowest 3 locally. I paid $80.

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll definitely check them out. So would you recommend looking into getting a cam kit before or after they try to align?

[The Wolf]

Camber kit is optional. I like some negative camber on my setup so I didn't get one. If you're afraid of tire wear, just request the tech set your toe to zero degrees. It's cheaper than camber arms and equally or more effective, plus you get a handling improvement

[greffer31]

Camber kit is optional. I like some negative camber on my setup so I didn't get one. If you're afraid of tire wear, just request the tech set your toe to zero degrees. It's cheaper than camber arms and equally or more effective, plus you get a handling improvement

I'm a little confused. Is camber kit optional for the rear too? I keep hearing that there is no rear adjustment for Mazda 3's. Could you clear this up for me? If I dont need a camber kit I would love to save some money and not buy one

[The Wolf]

Yes I can! Lol.
When you lower your car, the rear develops more negative camber. Many people think that this new camber causes excessive tire wear, but actually the problem can be solved by adjusting your "toe". I told the tech to adjust my toe to zero and my tires are wearing perfectly. Also having zero toe will decrease understeer.

So it's cheaper, simpler, and makes your car handle better.

[greffer31]

Yes I can! Lol.
When you lower your car, the rear develops more negative camber. Many people think that this new camber causes excessive tire wear, but actually the problem can be solved by adjusting your "toe". I told the tech to adjust my toe to zero and my tires are wearing perfectly. Also having zero toe will decrease understeer.

So it's cheaper, simpler, and makes your car handle better.

Thanks man! Gonna give mufflerman a call today and see if they can help me out!

[rajin929]

OP, if you haven't gotten an alignment yet, consider Mufflerman at Highland and Westmount in Kitchener. They accommodated me and I'm likely the lowest 3 locally. I paid $80.

i used to live a block away from there off Lawerence in those new-ish low rise apartments right behind angels diner lol

i had some work done at that mufflerman when I had my old Acura CL, pretty good shop at the time

[Mitchell3]

Yes I can! Lol.
When you lower your car, the rear develops more negative camber. Many people think that this new camber causes excessive tire wear, but actually the problem can be solved by adjusting your "toe". I told the tech to adjust my toe to zero and my tires are wearing perfectly. Also having zero toe will decrease understeer.

So it's cheaper, simpler, and makes your car handle better.

Damnit PZ. Those bastards. Im just going to go to you for all my lowering instructions.

[greffer31]

I would recommend mufflerman to anyone in the KW region. Very knowledgeable, good service, great price.