opening alignment shop and have never done one?

[toolcribservice]

Hello, I am from a small town and will be opening an alignment shop soon. tomorrow my new john bean will be set up and will practice on some friends and familys cars n trucks. Is there any special tools I will need. I ordered two shim kits from napa. I have seen alignments done so I am confident I will be able to make it happen. Just don't want to look like an idiot. I've read alot online but I am sure alot must be learned by doing. We use alot of salt on our roads so I am sure I will use the tourch alot (but not get red hot right?). I have pry bars, two foot snap on ratchet, pipe wrenches, and other tools just not sure if I have enouph big wrenches and what is with the flank drive plus that makes them so sought after? All I know is I have everything on the line and it must work.

 

[Caleb T]

I worked as a shops only alignment tech for 8 months. Although I can do just fine on alignments, I do not like doing them day in and day out. It does take practice to get proficient, and the more you do the better you will get. There are tie rod "hook" tools that are real handy. They are used on the sleeve style systems and they spread them while they are being turned. Pipe wrench, some larger size wrenches for jamb nuts, ratchet/socket set.

 

[toolcribservice]

I have a hook that goes on a ratchet. It is like x-mass I cant wait until tomorrow!!!!

 

[jim1987]

You're opening an alignment shop and basically don't know how to do an alignment?

I'm going to go be a brain surgeon

 

[ratdoggy]

You're opening an alignment shop and basically don't know how to do an alignment?

I'm going to go be a brain surgeon

He's setting himself up to fail and quite spectacularly
Kind of like buying a McDonalds franchise and never having cooked (or reheated) anything

 

[Shadowdog500]

Out of curiosity, what made you want to start a business doing something that you openly admit that you know absolutely nothing about? Especially one that requires expensive equipment just to get started.

You may want to hire someone who knows what they are doing and try to learn from them. Have you taken and business courses, or have experience running a business? Even if you were the best alignment tech in the world, you would still need to know the basics on how to run a business if you want to succeed.

Post some YouTube videos of your first few alignments so we can track your progress.


Best of luck on your new venture!

Chris

 

[CNGsaves]

Welcome to GJ . . . that's something we can all agree on. Lots of great resources which you WILL learn from surely.

However, for 1st post, this is unusual asking for help on something you've never done, AFTER you've committed dollars and equipment to new business. That is truly a recipe for disaster.

All I can say is Good Luck . . . you're going to need it !!

Likely will get better reception from other alignment shop owners in far away towns who are not competitors. Suggest you offer to work for FREE at their shop for a week and learn all you can. Maybe company who sold you the alignment rack can arrange such an "Internship" at another shop that has the same equipment.

With no hands on experience, no fancy alignment machine will cure that. You ARE going to need experience, even if you rely 100% on trained employees, as you'll have no way of knowing whether employee was doing it correctly. Again, good luck.

EDIT: With 2010 census population of 3,367 the city of Norridgewock, Maine will need to be very loyal to your alignment shop, especially if there is ANY competition. Hope you have some fabulous marketing ideas dreamed up for customer acquisition. May need to be already planning ancillary services (ie auto detailing, etc) to go along with alignments and cater to wealthy, car dealerships, etc. You're going to need multiple sources of revenue.

 

[Tronyadorable]

Hire an experienced tech and fish while he aligns.
You already mentioned "tourch" you're an accident waiting to happen with **** you are clueless about.
Hire a good man(if only part time---for a little while) to show you the movie.
Alignment-shocks and tires are generally used in the same sentence . Springs come next.Ball joints, control arms, steering boxes, bushings.
You're like the guy with a compressor and a $600 spray gun offering custom paint jobs.
I aint sayin' you can't. I'm saying you have some SERIOUS learning to do.

 

[RedRabbit]

When I started as a mech. a year ago I worked as an intern to gain knowledge. I had a paid internship since I was doing brakes and tires but I learned engine, diagnostics, and suspension from the other techs. Now I'm one of the "capable" techs.

 

[fireguy]

I want to know where you go the money to open your shop. I would like to talk to them about an idea I have.

 

[pi_guy]

Have you taken up residence in a holiday inn?

Normally alignments come after mechanical work is completed, suspension or steering components, new tires or shocks. It becomes pointless to do alignments on cars that have mechanical issues they need to be corrected first. Can you diagnose shock issues can you read the tire wear, it is called putting the cart in front of the horse. How many cars have you test driven with issues? Is it bad wheel bearings or ball joints, is the car square or does it crab walk. Does it pull to one side from a brake issue or a bad motor mount.
It not just knowing how to do something it understanding what the issue is, and what got it to the state in the first place. My suggestion is you gets lots of liability insurance well over the minimum required.

 

[Badattitude]

I've watched jet pilots land on aircraft carriers and am confident I can do it too I sense someone is trolling...prove me wrong

You do realize that suspension alignments consist of much more than just setting angles to spec? What would you do if everything is set to spec and the vehicle is eating tires or has a handling concern?

 

[rburke65]

I wish you the best of luck but I think that you are going to have a rough row to hoe. Do you have liability insurance for your shop?

 

[Jagmandave]

If you just bought a new alignment machine, the mfr should provide plenty of training on how to use the machine correctly, the problem is going to be the learning curve on all the different ways the manufacturers have designed their suspensions and learning how to adjust them correctly.

However, I teach alignment in my steering and suspension class, and if 18-20 year olds can learn to do it, so can you.

Also, the new, better alignment machines often have pretty good software that shows you where the adjustments are and how to do them.

As for tools, that's going to depend on how much suspension work you're going to do before you align them. If you're going to do ball joints for example, you'll need a good ball joint press set.....and so on.

 

[1/2 Cup]

First and foremost welcome to the GJ and enjoy..

 

[larry_g]

I have a personal policy to not engage members with less than 100 posts. This thread is good example of why.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[toolcribservice]

ok well mabe I didn't say it as well as I could have. I have never done an alignment but have seen them done by my uncle starting at the age of 3 but never held the wrench. I have done ball joints and tie rods replaced engines transmitions and other major and minor components. I got my money from my bussiness I said I had in my first post. I know how to talk to people and am a respected person in my comunity and there are 8,000 cars/day that go by my bussiness. The first house I jacked was my first but I accelled and was moving the biggest buildings with the best of them. I have raced cars for years and know how to drive and know when it needs to have more or less toe or camber. I have seen a competitor not line up the rear because it was in the green but know when they hit a bump it may be out of line. In maine thigs get rusted and need to be heated to break them loose but if you know of a better way let me know. I will wash and vacume every car that goes though my shop even if they just have an oil change and will also do free alignment checks. My waiting room has wifi and a flat screen with couches so they will feel at home when there kids are playing with toys and books provided. I am good with people and already have hospital, paper mill, and shoe shop customers(wife works at new balance). I do like the negativity because you average person would fail horrably but if you knew me you would know I can make anything happen wheather it is building a sawmill attachments for equipment or a monster truck. Wheather you think you can or can't you are right!! I have been successfull in anything I have done except spelin.

 

[jim1987]

I do like the negativity because you average person would fail horrably /QUOTE]

This is the only thing of importance that you said in that whole paragraph. Theres plenty of successful people here, more successful then you'd ever hope of being.

 

[toolcribservice]

and yes I do have insurance and you should have been the. damn auto fill

 

[toolaholic]

Deep offset wtenches. When I did the upper control arm bushings on my dakota R/t I needed a 22mm deep offset to remove the pivot shaft to frame nut which was right underneath the exhaust manifold( front passenger side nut).

 

[Lx460]

"It wasn't anything I touched...

 

[dlcwent]

Welcome to the GJ. Go for it. These negative nellies aren't worth listening to. They don't know anything about the new SO John Bean machine. If they did they wouldn't be talking failure. Unless they are less intelligent that a monkey, they could use it to do an alignment.

 

[toolcribservice]

Well I don't mind the negative coments, but never have done an alignment now I have done 4 so the list will grow I just wish the new lift would get here?? the machine is awsome but some of the nuts could be less rusty!! If there was no rust you could make a killin with this thing. I ordered some flank drive wrenches today, I think they will be an added wepon in my arsenal. bought shim kits and have not needed them....hope it was not a wast of $450??

 

[Lx460]

Let's at least see some pics of your new setup.

 

[ratdoggy]

ok well mabe I didn't say it as well as I could have. I have never done an alignment but have seen them done by my uncle starting at the age of 3 but never held the wrench. I have done ball joints and tie rods replaced engines transmitions and other major and minor components. I got my money from my bussiness I said I had in my first post. I know how to talk to people and am a respected person in my comunity and there are 8,000 cars/day that go by my bussiness. The first house I jacked was my first but I accelled and was moving the biggest buildings with the best of them. I have raced cars for years and know how to drive and know when it needs to have more or less toe or camber. I have seen a competitor not line up the rear because it was in the green but know when they hit a bump it may be out of line. In maine thigs get rusted and need to be heated to break them loose but if you know of a better way let me know. I will wash and vacume every car that goes though my shop even if they just have an oil change and will also do free alignment checks. My waiting room has wifi and a flat screen with couches so they will feel at home when there kids are playing with toys and books provided. I am good with people and already have hospital, paper mill, and shoe shop customers(wife works at new balance). I do like the negativity because you average person would fail horrably but if you knew me you would know I can make anything happen wheather it is building a sawmill attachments for equipment or a monster truck. Wheather you think you can or can't you are right!! I have been successfull in anything I have done except spelin.

Honestly your not successful in punctuation either .

It does seem odd that you would leave a seemingly good business to open a shop for wheel alignments and oil changes.

It's a hell of a jump from where I'm standing...But what the hell good luck to you

 

[JC23]

Honestly your (YOU'RE) not successful in punctuation either .

Fixed it for ya!

 

[SMKS]

If you just bought a new alignment machine, the mfr should provide plenty of training on how to use the machine correctly,

Also, the new, better alignment machines often have pretty good software that shows you where the adjustments are and how to do them.

This.

I don't see the point of insulting the OP in this thread. If he's trolling, ignore it. If he's sincere, then there's no need to say things like this:

Theres plenty of successful people here, more successful then you'd ever hope of being.

Why would a grown adult act like this towards someone new to the forum who's just asking for info?

If you have mechanical experience and good equipment you know how to use, then many alignments will be doable without too much trouble.

 

[Jagmandave]

It sounds to me like he's on his way, he's already (successfully?) done several and he's just waiting for the lift that goes with the machine.

I'd like to see pics of the shop and the lift once it's all up to speed.....

 

[toolcribservice]

Well I am remodeling a building that was not to long ago a 30x40 storage shed for my construction company. I am adding on 16x40 in the back and a 16x16 waiting room on the right but when I am open and a few less things inside I will gladly share some pics. I also do understad why some people think it is like suicide, for most people it would be. I will be open to the public on December 29th and don't expect alot on the first day but would be very suprised to have no customers. Happy Holidays to all, well I guess it's still merry christmas to me!!

 

[Lx460]

So how's it going? Any pics of your new shop to share yet??

 

[tool-guy]

I've watched jet pilots land on aircraft carriers and am confident I can do it too I sense someone is trolling...prove me wrong

You do realize that suspension alignments consist of much more than just setting angles to spec? What would you do if everything is set to spec and the vehicle is eating tires or has a handling concern?

That reminded me of Tom Cruise in days of thunder, I've watched it on ESPN it's amazing how much you can pick up.

 

[nuklbstr83]

this is my favorite thread so far on GJ. subscribed.

 

[toolcribservice]

I will take some this weekend even if i am not done. Lift is being held at the border(customs) but it should arive in the middle of next week and schedualed for instal on monday the 5th. I am currantly doing alignments on my old wheeltronics lift. seems like every 3rd car needs parts. I know I am not open just know alot of people!!

 

[BonzoHansen]

Weights to compensate for large drivers. Lots of Pb blaster. Air gauges since tire pressure is the first thing you check. All data subscription. Knowledge to be able to spot bad parts, like lower ball joints. You cannot align a car with worn parts. Good eyes to spot dumb **** like mismatched tire sizes. A drivers license for test drives.

 

[AndrewV]

Ok, read through the thread.
Hunter systems show you how to adjust camber/caster/toe, bean systms. should to, for those that don't know.
The real issue is lack of training, in the physics of alignments. And not knowing what tools you'll need.
There's a plethera of things needed to know. Wierd *** setups(jag/bmw), and well all euro companies.
You'll need to understand labor times aswell. Custom susp. jeep setups are not a standard align.(any custom setup really), camber bolt labor, the random incorrect strut install causing pulling.
I could go on more, but i feel you get the point.

Now, oil changes? You'll need the specialty socket sets, as a tech i do oil changes aswell as service. I have several hundred in oil service tools, i get paid for the job when a lube tech uses my tools. Our company is cheap. And with that you have tire services. Buy a good torque wrench, and get a chart of torque specs.

You'll need to do saftey checks befor. Shake the front end down. Air up tires to what the door says. Check lights functioning(we're liable for a ticket if they get one here). Millions of little things needed to be known. And verification of every job done.


Time for dinner, best of luck. Learn fast aswell.

 

[Tawn]

That reminded me of Tom Cruise in days of thunder, I've watched it on ESPN it's amazing how much you can pick up.

LOL.... That is EXACTLY what came to my mind as well

 

[ironmutt]

congrats on the new venture . now that the pleasantrys are over are you nucking futts . sorry slipped out . the first thing is get a two post lift put the car in the air and inspect before you waist time putting it on the alignment rack . 90% of the cars that come in for a alignment need some thing most cars dont just loose alignment so talking to customer is very important to find out why they want it done . get the hooks for sleeved tie rods and unless you have a tone of 80's and 70's gm cars in town expect to never use the shims every thing else is basic hand tools. get in touch with the small independent shops that dont have a rack and offer them a discount for doing all their align. most small places will have a loyal customer base so they will do the inspect and repair you just have to do a toe and go . we have a two tear system for charges we charge 20 for an inspect if all is good then on the rack it goes and then an additional 40 . if not good then we quote it out if we do the work we refund the 20 at time of repair and finish align it for 40 if they take it some where else then we bring it back we start the whole process over again we use only life time parts dont care who makes them but always liftime on the parts. we install the customers parts but the get no warranty if i get it apart and they baught the wrong part they pay for my rack time while i wait for the right part to get here if the part they baught goes bad they pay for labor to do it again . dont ever take a customer at their word they will say yeah i just put ball joints in and every thing else checked good you do the inspect and the tierods are about to come apart you go ask they will say **** like well i just checked on the ground or joe bob off craigslist said he replaced all that . one last thing when do have to use hot wrench to bust a nut loose get is loose and free wait for it to cool before setting any thing even a little warm will change specs when it cools down and some cars call for a dead on spec no range at all . good luck

 

[MarkG]

You're either a very confident, positive person or crazy. Good luck!

 

[BonzoHansen]

Wait until he has to do eccentric shims on ford trucks lol

 

[Lx460]

Guess this didn't work out, he can't even afford internet service now...