"lifetime" front end alignment

enotslim · Post by **enotslim** » 25 Apr 2021, 11:15

Currently replacing much of the front suspension of 2004 XC70 - struts, control arms, sway bar end links, tie rod outer (and maybe inner). Soon in the market for front end alignment and likely more than once. As far as I can tell local Firestone and Pep Boys have similar prices and conditions on "lifetime" alignment services. Some local and regional shops (but not the one I would use for service) also offer "lifetime" alignment with similar conditions.

Any recommendations on these or other alignment services? Does lifetime service live up to its billing or is it designed to get you into their shop in order to sell other parts and services? Am I better off with single alignment services from a shop I would actually use for repairs I can't handle.

Thanks.

Post by **ljsommar1** » 25 Apr 2021, 11:50

For what its worth, I have purchased the lifetime alignment at my local Firestone dealer for four different cars. I have asked for re-alignment 10-12 times on each of those four cars with no problems at all. I am sure they sell it as a come on but they have never complained when I told them " I just replaced such and such and I need an alignment check". I think the local dealer still gets reimbursed from Firestone national for each re-alignment, but I am just guessing.
Alignments on todays cars really involve little more than setting the toe. It takes them next to no time at all. Alignments have a huge profit margin.

Post by **oragex** » 25 Apr 2021, 11:56

Make sure you put only quality parts as well, cheap parts are dreadful short lived these days

Post by **erikv11** » 25 Apr 2021, 14:52

On P80 cars the proper way to do a wheel alignment was all four wheels every time, starting with the rears followed by the fronts.

I've never had to align a P2 car but probably should soon - is it the same, or is the rear not adjustable?

nidantwo · Post by **nidantwo** » 27 Apr 2021, 06:21

I usually purchase lifetime; it tends to pay for itself within 2 alignments. Beyond that, all additional alignments are a gift. My determination is how long to pay back and what is the probability to achieving payback +. Given here holds on to their cars, I would say go for it. Not much risk. I have used Firestone mostly.

enotslim · Post by **enotslim** » 03 May 2021, 23:44

New front struts, control arms and sway bar end links. Drives much better, smoother and quieter ride in the front, but still significant shimmy and noise, mostly in the rear, over big bumps. Actually seems worse after replacing front sway bar end links.

Firestone could not do the alignment. They said the left rear control arm is bent. I had hoped that the remaining ride issues would be fixed by alignment. Can anyone provide links to testing and replacing the rear control arms 2004 XC70? I'm not finding anything in my searches.

No accidents (that I know of) to explain a bent control arm. Could this have been caused by the broken left rear coil spring I replaced in August 2019? We drove for awhile before noticing and replacing the broken spring.

Thanks.

Dave

Post by **vtl** » 04 May 2021, 07:58

For the front end alignment they will dd just tie rod ends, right? In that case all you need is Trackace alignment tool, which is $100ish on ebay.

enotslim · Post by **enotslim** » 04 May 2021, 14:41

My concern is that the rear control arm was damaged ~20 months ago, related to the broken spring, and is only now leading to obvious symptoms. Please see the images, especially, at the link below along with the description of a "clunk" (control arm impact/damage?) that became a "ping" (broken spring?).

viewtopic.php?t=90195

The right front spring also broke soon after I replaced the left rear spring. After both springs were repaired the car ran well for the next ~16 months but with an obviously somewhat worn suspension. Front end and rear noises and jiggles over bumps then began to increase and I decided to redo the front suspension ~ early April 2021. Total miles was/is only ~120K and I'm not sure when other major suspension work was done in the past.

The front end ride is now dramatically improved - way less noise and much smoother/tighter handling - after redoing the front suspension. The rear is also pretty good over minor "bumps" and at slow speed but there are significant "clunks" and shimmy on larger bumps.

I'm trying to figure out the best course from here and will get more info from Firestone (they didn't charge me anything). The rear requires work. It's not optional due to the recently much worse ride if one goes beyond a neighborhood stroll. One (probably left lower) rear control arm is not likely a big deal and I would tackle it myself if I had some decent diy instructions. But if all four need replacing (perhaps advisable to change in pairs if not quartets) that is a different story. I haven't found a better $ buy than genuine Volvo ( ~$550 for all four parts only).

Thanks in advance for you wisdom.

enotslim · Post by **enotslim** » 09 May 2021, 16:42

Well, "you can see a lot by looking". The left rear suspension control arm stay (not the control arm itself) is significantly bent as in the photo. FCP sells a simple-looking and inexpensive oem replacement kit for this including two ProPartsSweden stays, new eccentric screws, eccentric washers, lock nuts, suspension strut bolts and parking brake cable clips. Genuine Volvo stays are 2x more expensive.

Perhaps caused by using these stays as tie downs for towing (as suggested in the fcp reviews of the genuine volvo kit)?

The plan would be alignment after replacing both stays. I will examine everything with the rear of the car on jack stands and rear wheels off before embarking on the replacement. Should I be looking for some more serious issue that caused or resulted from this bent stay? Ball joints?

Both rear tires show uneven wear much worse on the inner treads.

: left rear control arm stay, straight in 2019, bent in 2021; 2019_2021-05-09_XC70_rearControlArmsAndStays_cropped.jpg (180.7 KiB) Viewed 1513 times

enotslim · Post by **enotslim** » 09 May 2021, 23:17

erikv11 wrote: ↑25 Apr 2021, 14:52 On P80 cars the proper way to do a wheel alignment was all four wheels every time, starting with the rears followed by the fronts.

I've never had to align a P2 car but probably should soon - is it the same, or is the rear not adjustable?

Based on my experience at Firestone I believe the rears are adjustable. Hopefully we'll see after I replace the bent stay and return for alignment.