GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011) Discussion about the 2006+ model GS300, GS350, GS430, GS450H and GS460

alignment after lowering?

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Old 06-17-09, 05:43 AM
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dandd2
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Default alignment after lowering?

for those who lowered their vehicle did you get an alignment afterwards?
i was quoted $450 for lowering and alignment
yay or nay?
Old 06-17-09, 05:50 AM
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SNiiP3R
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I lowered mine for $200 and did an alignment a week after for $60.
Old 06-17-09, 08:53 AM
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Fujifuzz
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WOW!!

Lexus Dealership charges and arm and leg for alignment.
Old 06-17-09, 12:33 PM
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mikedozz
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That is way too much, i had my AWD lowered for $260 and the alignment done for $70 bucks. You should wait at least a week for the springs to settle before you align the wheels. Don't wait to long though, i tore up the inner walls of my tires after lowering my car.
Old 06-17-09, 12:44 PM
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everyone charges different prices. last time i checked the shop rate at my lexus dealer was $108/hr. They could be charing him an hour per corner plus alignment which would be close to the $450 quote.
Old 06-17-09, 03:25 PM
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tsavo
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Originally Posted by mikedozz
You should wait at least a week for the springs to settle before you align the wheels. Don't wait to long though, i tore up the inner walls of my tires after lowering my car.
Not entirely true in this case. The GS is a heavy enough vehicle that the car can be aligned that same day.

I would never recommend that someone drive for a week after getting their car lowered without an alignment.
Old 06-17-09, 04:33 PM
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Ice350
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I'm a little miffed. Took car to dealer for alignment and was told it couldn't be aligned. Either the tech is a jerk, the service rep a jerk or both. This car was aligned a year ago with no problems. Now they are saying it is too low to be aligned???. Dealers are getting suckier and suckier.
Old 06-17-09, 05:45 PM
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LIMS407
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actually lexus can do alignment on is-f machine...
Old 06-18-09, 02:26 PM
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Ice350
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They did do an alignment after all. They just didn't charge me because they couldn't guarantee proper alignment because the 3GS doesn't have camber adjustment ability. I'll take a free alignment any day.
Old 06-19-09, 12:16 PM
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retrospexo
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Originally Posted by Ice350
They did do an alignment after all. They just didn't charge me because they couldn't guarantee proper alignment because the 3GS doesn't have camber adjustment ability. I'll take a free alignment any day.
really? did they do this with your factory wheels on or your 20s?
Old 06-19-09, 12:53 PM
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rominl
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rule of thumb is never do alignment "together" with lowering. you always want to drive the car around a bit to let the system settle first before going in for alignment. otherwise it's money wasted

cost wise it's all regional so it's hard to say if it's good or bad. like here in socal you can get springs installed for 150 and good alignment for 90 bucks. but in some areas it could be substantially more

it's true that the camber is not adjustable on this car, and that's actually part of the reason why you shouldn't go to dealership for alignment on a lowered car. all they know is try to get the car (camber, caster, toe) into spec. but on lowered cars especially like this where camber is not adjustable, factory spec is nothing more than a little guideline. it's about shop's experience in adjusting toe to compensate inside wear, etc...
Old 06-19-09, 01:55 PM
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LIMS407
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Originally Posted by retrospexo
really? did they do this with your factory wheels on or your 20s?
mine was 20 with lowered..dealership didnt want to do it first but ended up doin it for me...is-f got 19s so is-f machine works i guess..
Old 06-19-09, 03:01 PM
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Ice350
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Rominl is right but my dealer used to have a guy who could align anything but he is now a service rep. If I could have remembered his name I could have requested his help.
Going forward, I'll use an aftermarket tech.
Old 06-19-09, 05:48 PM
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rominl
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Originally Posted by Ice350
Rominl is right but my dealer used to have a guy who could align anything but he is now a service rep. If I could have remembered his name I could have requested his help.
Going forward, I'll use an aftermarket tech.
ah that's always a bummer isn't it. there is a guy you can rely on and then he's not there anymore
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