Where to get a quality alignment in Melb eastern suburbs

JINBA ITTAI · Postby **JINBA ITTAI** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 1:28 pm

Hey folks

Looking for recommendations on where to get a quality alignment in Melb eastern 'burbs. The closer to Box Hill the better.

After refreshing the tyres, shocks, bump stops and camber bolts on my 99 NB, I took it to a run of the mill tyre shop and asked them to apply the Flyin Miata specs...and got a pretty average result. To be fair, they probably aren't used to enthusiasts asking for a non factory specs alignment.

Where have others gotten a good suspension alignment?

Luke · Postby **Luke** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:57 pm

I'm not from Melbourne so can't give any advise as where to go.

It is not as difficult to align a MX-5 as aligners or forum people for that matter say. At least that's what I believe, because I had a go at it at my local shop when they were not so busy one day. I had no issues getting very close to what I wanted without ever doing an alignment before, just slower than they would have done it. The only experience I had before hand was by eye and texta markings after replacing suspension components or adjusting the toe up front if I bashed it out of wack on track.

I go to my local big chain place here in Sydney and generally have no problems.
The only reason I have no problems is that I have stuck to the same place for years. Every month I have a car from the family going in for something so pretty much all the guys in there know me which helps alot. They have been through probably 5 aligners' in the 9 years I have been going there, but all have been able to do what I required. To be fair the first one and current one have been the long term ones. The 3 in between probably totalled about 18 months.
So what I'm saying is you really need to build up some sort of relationship with the place you go to.
Just because they do a good job for someone else it does not mean you will get the same job done.

Any shop can do it, if they pay attention to what they are doing.
There are 2 main issues with most tyre shops.
1. They think they know better than you do so won't follow what you say. Remember they don't know you from a bar of soap.
2. A lot of the times the guy doing it in a chain store is payed stuff all so you get the low care factor attitude with that. They just want to get the job over and done with.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Feb 23, 2018 10:38 pm

In use wide tread in upper gully, they've always done a decent job for me and are fine with you bringing in your own specs.

Otherwise, edgars tyrepower on Blackburn road (mulgrave) is supposed to be good too, pretty sure they setup a few MGB track cars fairly often.

DMc2014 · Postby **DMc2014** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 1:50 am

I can also recommend Edgars Tyrepower. When fitting new tyres, the owner made it his businsess to ask what type of alignment I wanted - and I am very satisfied with his "spirited driving" setting

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Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 5:50 pm

Knox Tyrepower FTG road - next to United petrol - they are capable. I worry a bit about people that ask what I want- I am not the expert - they look at the specs or do what they have done before on MX-5s and if you are not happy you go back and tell them and they listen and re do it. Also in FTG 704 Burwood hgy Tough tyres can handle 4 wheel alignments- had a awn Territory done a few years back and quite happy.

JINBA ITTAI · Postby **JINBA ITTAI** » Sun Feb 25, 2018 8:30 am

@hks_kansei, DMc2014 and Mr Morlock - thanks for all the suggestions!

I think I'll try Edgars Tyrepower in Blackburn Rd since they are closest to me, and I'll keep the other options in FTG as a back up.

@luke - I hear what you're saying and already tried developing a relationship with my local chain store. Prior to bringing my MX5 there I've brought our other cars there for tyre changes, etc. They are just too focused on volume. For a quick in and out tyre change for a Camry they're fine, but ask for a bit more then those two factors you cited quickly come into play.

lucmor444 · Postby **lucmor444** » Sun Feb 25, 2018 9:19 am

Let’s us know how you go. If the news is good I’ll give them a go.

wasp47 · Postby **wasp47** » Sun Feb 25, 2018 12:46 pm

Hi
I went to the local Bob Janes, gave them the Flying M settings and explained that was what I want, the technician then completely ignored them.
So straight back on the machine and this time it was done correctly. Why pay for something you don't want. Wheel alignment guys are infamous for using their own interpretation :frown:

StuwieP · Postby **StuwieP** » Sun Feb 25, 2018 2:03 pm

Donnellan's Tyres on Whitehorse Rd is a good place. But as has been said - it's all about the relationship with the store. They have good equipment and the Donnellan brothers are usually on site. They know what they're doing - race car experience etc - and have always been happy to go for the setups I've asked for.