Firestone Sucks

ecoplunge · 03-01-2017, 11:15 AM

Got new rear RE-11s and an alignment. Love fresh rubber.

Drove it away, back end felt weird.

Couple days later I entered a high speed corner, heavy braking and the tail started wagging - disconcerting. Made my right hand turn in... and the back end stepped out by about 3 inches. Stayed in it so as not to have it snap back and run me off the road. Made it through the turn more than a little freaked out.

Went home, cleaned the feces out of my pants and setup a string alignment. Left rear: NEGATIVE .15 toe. Other wheels were out too, 3 tires with negative toe.

Took the car back and told them they screwed up the alignment. REDO IT!

Picked it up. Same thing. Measure again. Now NEGATIVE .18 toe on left rear. Still 3 tires with negative toe.

This time I set the toe myself and it drives great. Guess I'm just going to buy a camber gauge and do the whole alignment myself each time because...

...what good is a lifetime alignment from Firestone if I'm dead?

Overlimit · 03-01-2017, 11:24 AM

Might want to try another Firestone location/shop.

SouthArk370Z · 03-01-2017, 11:50 AM

There should be at least one decent alignment shop in the Orlando area. Ask around.

mishuko · 03-01-2017, 12:05 PM

I don't get it. It's within spec.

ecoplunge · 03-01-2017, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overlimit

Might want to try another Firestone location/shop.

Perhaps. But at this point I'm very leery of trusting it to any chain shop. Going to find a speed shop that will get it right and to the specs I want, not just "in range".

Quote:

Originally Posted by mishuko

I don't get it. It's within spec.

I don't think negative toe is in spec for the Z. Am I reading your comment wrong?

Rocxtar · 03-01-2017, 12:38 PM

I had a bad experience with Firestone Dealer as well years back. I had purchased a set of tires for an 2004 WRX. I would go to this location to have the tires rotated since it was free since I bought the tires there. I had indications that they also needed re-aligned and they kept saying they were fine.

Of course a few months later I failed inspection, even after I told them over and over they needed re-aligned every time I went there. Went to a new shop and bought new tires they lasted years.

So yes, never again I set foot on Firestone.

DarkJak · 03-01-2017, 12:43 PM

I bought a lifetime alignment from Firestone a few years ago with the Z.
In my hometown, I lived by a pretty honest shop that would always do my car and get it in good specs.
After moving, I haven't found a good shop yet.

It's always been a runaround: "We don't do low profile tires" "Your wheels are too large" (19") "Our mounting tools would scuff your wheels at that profile"
I ended up getting a referral to a TiresPlus after going to 4 shops, which ended up forwarding me to another Tires plus.

At the end of all that, they said they couldn't do camber in the rear, despite my Z having camber arms that make it ridiculously easy to adjust.

Ever since, I've taken it to local independent shops that charge under $50/alignment, do it exactly as I've liked, and don't give a runaround.

Firestone's lifetime warranty might be a good deal if you have time to play their game, but the added hassle and lower quality service isn't worth it for me.

kenchan · 03-01-2017, 12:49 PM

I take my cars to a speed shop dat aligns racecars. Never a problem

ecoplunge · 03-01-2017, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkJak

I bought a lifetime alignment from Firestone a few years ago with the Z.
In my hometown, I lived by a pretty honest shop that would always do my car and get it in good specs.
After moving, I haven't found a good shop yet.

It's always been a runaround: "We don't do low profile tires" "Your wheels are too large" (19") "Our mounting tools would scuff your wheels at that profile"
I ended up getting a referral to a TiresPlus after going to 4 shops, which ended up forwarding me to another Tires plus.

At the end of all that, they said they couldn't do camber in the rear, despite my Z having camber arms that make it ridiculously easy to adjust.

Ever since, I've taken it to local independent shops that charge under $50/alignment, do it exactly as I've liked, and don't give a runaround.

Firestone's lifetime warranty might be a good deal if you have time to play their game, but the added hassle and lower quality service isn't worth it for me.

Same experience on initial install of new tires. Went to 3 Firestones before I found one that said they could do it. Didn't inspire confidence.

Let this be my request for recommendations for an Orlando shop that does race car alignments. Anyone? I'll pays the money, I just wants the good service!

Chan Chee Hoe · 03-01-2017, 05:14 PM

I thought you mean

Firestone Tyres Sucks.

Spooler · 03-01-2017, 07:02 PM

It is hard to find a good alignment guy. If you find one, stick with them.

ecoplunge · 03-01-2017, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chan Chee Hoe

I thought you mean

Firestone Tyres Sucks.

Crap. I guess I accidentally made clickbait.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spooler

It is hard to find a good alignment guy. If you find one, stick with them.

I'm learning that. If I ever do I will. Until then it'll be me I guess.

jchammond · 03-01-2017, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mishuko

I don't get it. It's within spec.

wrong,
positive toe...little up front & a little more out back/also it changes with fuel on-board...full tank=more -camber & toe,,,as fuel is burned out...wheels pull more upright & give more positive toe....
Toe can change as much as .250" total...pending fuel level.

MB370Z · 03-02-2017, 12:02 AM

I took my car to Tire Kingdom to install 4 brand new Hankooks. I run 255s and 305s. When I came back to pick my car up, those idiots put my 305s in the front and 255s in the rear. That was the last time I'm ever doing business them. Now I just bring my car to one of those Vietnamese tire shops with lawn mowers and weed whackers out front. They're cheaper, faster, and get the job done right.

ecoplunge · 03-02-2017, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB370Z

I took my car to Tire Kingdom to install 4 brand new Hankooks. I run 255s and 305s. When I came back to pick my car up, those idiots put my 305s in the front and 255s in the rear. That was the last time I'm ever doing business them. Now I just bring my car to one of those Vietnamese tire shops with lawn mowers and weed whackers out front. They're cheaper, faster, and get the job done right.

Well, in their defense you have a front wheel drive car and need all the traction in the front

03-01-2017, 11:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
ecoplunge Base Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Orlando Posts: 45 Drives: 370z TS M6 Rep Power: 13	Firestone Sucks Got new rear RE-11s and an alignment. Love fresh rubber. Drove it away, back end felt weird. Couple days later I entered a high speed corner, heavy braking and the tail started wagging - disconcerting. Made my right hand turn in... and the back end stepped out by about 3 inches. Stayed in it so as not to have it snap back and run me off the road. Made it through the turn more than a little freaked out. Went home, cleaned the feces out of my pants and setup a string alignment. Left rear: NEGATIVE .15 toe. Other wheels were out too, 3 tires with negative toe. Took the car back and told them they screwed up the alignment. REDO IT! Picked it up. Same thing. Measure again. Now NEGATIVE .18 toe on left rear. Still 3 tires with negative toe. This time I set the toe myself and it drives great. Guess I'm just going to buy a camber gauge and do the whole alignment myself each time because... ...what good is a lifetime alignment from Firestone if I'm dead? jchammond likes this.

03-01-2017, 11:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Overlimit Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 951 Posts: 151 Drives: F80 M3 Rep Power: 32	Might want to try another Firestone location/shop. Rocxtar likes this.

03-01-2017, 11:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	There should be at least one decent alignment shop in the Orlando area. Ask around. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

03-01-2017, 12:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rocxtar Base Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 79 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 10	I had a bad experience with Firestone Dealer as well years back. I had purchased a set of tires for an 2004 WRX. I would go to this location to have the tires rotated since it was free since I bought the tires there. I had indications that they also needed re-aligned and they kept saying they were fine. Of course a few months later I failed inspection, even after I told them over and over they needed re-aligned every time I went there. Went to a new shop and bought new tires they lasted years. So yes, never again I set foot on Firestone. Last edited by Rocxtar; 03-01-2017 at 12:41 PM.

03-01-2017, 12:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
DarkJak A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,390 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 13448	I bought a lifetime alignment from Firestone a few years ago with the Z. In my hometown, I lived by a pretty honest shop that would always do my car and get it in good specs. After moving, I haven't found a good shop yet. It's always been a runaround: "We don't do low profile tires" "Your wheels are too large" (19") "Our mounting tools would scuff your wheels at that profile" I ended up getting a referral to a TiresPlus after going to 4 shops, which ended up forwarding me to another Tires plus. At the end of all that, they said they couldn't do camber in the rear, despite my Z having camber arms that make it ridiculously easy to adjust. Ever since, I've taken it to local independent shops that charge under $50/alignment, do it exactly as I've liked, and don't give a runaround. Firestone's lifetime warranty might be a good deal if you have time to play their game, but the added hassle and lower quality service isn't worth it for me. __________________ @stupidtoycars \| My track vids 09 7AT\|MCS 2WNR\|Topgunz Rotrex\|Ecutek (Eugene)\|Maxxis RC1\|Titan-7 TS-5\|OSG LSD\|Rear Mount Derale Oil Cooler (WIP)+25 Trans Cooler\|Fismo\|G-LOC R12/R10\|Zeta III L\|NLR Wing and Splitter\|CJM Pan and Fuel Hat\|Radium Surge Tank\|AP Racing CP9668

03-01-2017, 12:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
mishuko A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: bouncin on tigga Posts: 8,062 Drives: '12 Z Rep Power: 9434	I don't get it. It's within spec.

03-01-2017, 12:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	I take my cars to a speed shop dat aligns racecars. Never a problem

03-01-2017, 05:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
Chan Chee Hoe Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 861 Drives: 370z,Yellow,7sp A Rep Power: 17	I thought you mean Firestone Tyres Sucks.

03-01-2017, 07:02 PM	#11 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,504 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684391	It is hard to find a good alignment guy. If you find one, stick with them.

03-02-2017, 12:02 AM	#14 (permalink)
MB370Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marrero, LA Posts: 329 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 357	I took my car to Tire Kingdom to install 4 brand new Hankooks. I run 255s and 305s. When I came back to pick my car up, those idiots put my 305s in the front and 255s in the rear. That was the last time I'm ever doing business them. Now I just bring my car to one of those Vietnamese tire shops with lawn mowers and weed whackers out front. They're cheaper, faster, and get the job done right.

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