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Fiero friendly alignment shops in West Michigan by solotwo
Started on: 08-04-2014 10:23 PM
Replies: 16 (445 views)
Last post by: solotwo on 11-14-2014 10:17 PM
solotwo
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Report this Post08-04-2014 10:23 PM Click Here to See the Profile for solotwoSend a Private Message to solotwoEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I need to align the front after installing a crossmember. Any one have a place that they would recommend? Preferably in Grand Rapids.
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MadMark
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Report this Post08-05-2014 08:26 AM Click Here to See the Profile for MadMarkSend a Private Message to MadMarkEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I don't know of anything in west Michigan. However, I do know of one in Owosso that finally fixed my alignment properly. I had had problems for years with my alignment staying in place. Much less getting it right. Dick in Owosso finally got it better than right and it has stayed in-place for 2 years now. He made some extra adjustments to my alignment and it drives super straight without input. Even on our crowned and bumpy roads. I would highly recommend him. And his prices are pretty good too. PM me if you want his phone number. It would be worth a trip over this way.

PS. Mine is an 88 GT. And one of the keys was to get a set of paddle nuts and bolts from Rodney Dickman.
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RyanFromMichigan
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Report this Post08-06-2014 11:08 AM Click Here to See the Profile for RyanFromMichiganSend a Private Message to RyanFromMichiganEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I've had my 85 aligned at Belle Tire on Alpine & 4 Mile on a few different occasions after various suspension & steering upgrades. The most recent was this past May when I replaced my rear ball joints & inner tie rods. It's a level drive-on rack with a pit (not a "drive up a ramp & onto" type, so no ground clearance issues to worry about) and their Hunter equipment is fairly new. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

For the record, Grapewood Frame & Axle on Chicago Drive has a reputation of being a great alignment shop for custom & lowered suspensions but after 2 attempts in 2008 or so they couldn't get my Fiero to drive straight without being too twitchy. After that frustrating experience I tried Belle Tire later that week and what a difference, the car never handled better. On top of that, Belle was $80 for a 4 wheel alignment and I think I paid Grapewood just about double. I was surprised that a shop like Belle staffed by younger guys could do such a good job, but it's likely a testament to the equipment they use. As I recall, Grapewood was a bit more old-school in their alignment methods whereas I'm sure the new Hunter systems make the process fool proof.

[This message has been edited by RyanFromMichigan (edited 08-06-2014).]

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solotwo
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Report this Post08-06-2014 11:12 AM Click Here to See the Profile for solotwoSend a Private Message to solotwoEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
RyanformMichigan thank you for the information. Have I seen your car around town? Are you aware that Snapperhead and I are trying to keep the GR people informed as to what is happening in Fiero Land.
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RyanFromMichigan
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Report this Post08-06-2014 11:43 AM Click Here to See the Profile for RyanFromMichiganSend a Private Message to RyanFromMichiganEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I planned on hitting just about every car show & cruise this year now that my car is finally painted, but life happened and things changed a bit. I just had ACL replacement surgery on Monday so my clutch leg is out of commission for a while.

I tried to teach my girlfriend how to drive a stick the day before my surgery so we could still try make it out to a few upcoming events, however we quickly decided a Fiero with a V8 wasn't the best car for her to learn the art of working a clutch properly... quite honestly I'm lucky my motor mounts are still intact after that fiasco.
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solotwo
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Report this Post08-06-2014 01:34 PM Click Here to See the Profile for solotwoSend a Private Message to solotwoEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
lol!
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solotwo
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Report this Post11-12-2014 03:18 PM Click Here to See the Profile for solotwoSend a Private Message to solotwoEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by RyanFromMichigan:

I've had my 85 aligned at Belle Tire on Alpine & 4 Mile on a few different occasions after various suspension & steering upgrades. The most recent was this past May when I replaced my rear ball joints & inner tie rods. It's a level drive-on rack with a pit (not a "drive up a ramp & onto" type, so no ground clearance issues to worry about) and their Hunter equipment is fairly new. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

For the record, Grapewood Frame & Axle on Chicago Drive has a reputation of being a great alignment shop for custom & lowered suspensions but after 2 attempts in 2008 or so they couldn't get my Fiero to drive straight without being too twitchy. After that frustrating experience I tried Belle Tire later that week and what a difference, the car never handled better. On top of that, Belle was $80 for a 4 wheel alignment and I think I paid Grapewood just about double. I was surprised that a shop like Belle staffed by younger guys could do such a good job, but it's likely a testament to the equipment they use. As I recall, Grapewood was a bit more old-school in their alignment methods whereas I'm sure the new Hunter systems make the process fool proof.



I went there today . Good place to go.
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Dennis LaGrua
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Report this Post11-13-2014 04:52 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Dennis LaGruaSend a Private Message to Dennis LaGruaEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
For some unknown reasons, getting a proper alignment on my Fieros has been more difficult to achieve than on my other cars. I attribute this to the fact that the alignment process on our cars is not always just a "turn-a-bolt" process. The rear wheels often need to have adjustable bolts installed and the front often needs shims on the suspension arm bolts to set the caster.
If proper procedures are followed and the alignment is done by a skilled mechanic who can read English, it will come out right. Unfortunately with the proliferation of cheap, ignorant, unskilled labor at the tire shops a good alignment is hard to obtain.

------------------
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"THE COLUSSUS"
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RWDPLZ
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Report this Post11-13-2014 10:31 PM Click Here to See the Profile for RWDPLZClick Here to visit RWDPLZ's HomePageSend a Private Message to RWDPLZEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
For anyone in the Traverse City area, Total Automotive Solutions on Garfield does excellent Fiero alignments.
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solotwo
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Report this Post11-14-2014 07:53 AM Click Here to See the Profile for solotwoSend a Private Message to solotwoEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by RWDPLZ:

For anyone in the Traverse City area, Total Automotive Solutions on Garfield does excellent Fiero alignments.


You moved? From Metro Detroit?

[This message has been edited by solotwo (edited 11-14-2014).]

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IMSA GT
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Report this Post11-14-2014 09:44 AM Click Here to See the Profile for IMSA GTSend a Private Message to IMSA GTEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by solotwo:


You moved? From Metro Detroit?



Smartest thing he could have done. Now he doesn't have to sleep with a gun under his pillow and he's making some real money.
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lateFormula
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Report this Post11-14-2014 11:45 AM Click Here to See the Profile for lateFormulaSend a Private Message to lateFormulaEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:
Smartest thing he could have done. Now he doesn't have to sleep with a gun under his pillow and he's making some real money.


Really?
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solotwo
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Report this Post11-14-2014 12:01 PM Click Here to See the Profile for solotwoSend a Private Message to solotwoEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:


Smartest thing he could have done. Now he doesn't have to sleep with a gun under his pillow and he's making some real money.


Nope now he has do dodge earth quakes, brush fires, mud slides and crime
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solotwo
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Report this Post11-14-2014 12:03 PM Click Here to See the Profile for solotwoSend a Private Message to solotwoEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

solotwo

5374 posts
Member since Jun 2002
 
quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:


Smartest thing he could have done. Now he doesn't have to sleep with a gun under his pillow and he's making some real money.


Well buddy i have to disagree with you. my son is an automotive engineer in METRO Detroit and he doesn't have all the stuff you mentioned
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RWDPLZ
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Report this Post11-14-2014 12:14 PM Click Here to See the Profile for RWDPLZClick Here to visit RWDPLZ's HomePageSend a Private Message to RWDPLZEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by solotwo:


You moved? From Metro Detroit?



Yep

//www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum6/HTML/109394.html

It's actually a net pay decrease, but a good career move, AND no more snow. Still sleep with a pistol in arm's reach.

Was an Automotive Engineer in Metro Detroit, now an Automotive Engineer in Silicon Valley.
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batousai666
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Report this Post11-14-2014 02:39 PM Click Here to See the Profile for batousai666Send a Private Message to batousai666Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by RWDPLZ:


Yep

//www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum6/HTML/109394.html

It's actually a net pay decrease, but a good career move, AND no more snow. Still sleep with a pistol in arm's reach.

Was an Automotive Engineer in Metro Detroit, now an Automotive Engineer in Silicon Valley.


I have been and slept in San Jose........I envy your commute to work that I do

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solotwo
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Report this Post11-14-2014 10:17 PM Click Here to See the Profile for solotwoSend a Private Message to solotwoEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by RWDPLZ:


Yep

//www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum6/HTML/109394.html

It's actually a net pay decrease, but a good career move, AND no more snow. Still sleep with a pistol in arm's reach.

Was an Automotive Engineer in Metro Detroit, now an Automotive Engineer in Silicon Valley.


My son Scott works for Advics.
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