Can any tire shop do a front end alignment on a '56 Buick?

Or do I have to find a classic car resto shop to do it? My steering still isn't right after numerous steering box adjustments and a couple of adjustments on the center link thing with the cotter pins in each end. I'm in the Louisville, Ky area. Thanks....

 

They should be able to, but I've seen some spectacular failings, lately, like a local shop setting the toe-in to to-out to the tune of an inch, and not being able to set the camber at all. I ended up setting the toe-in with a couple of 2 by 4s and a tape measure and got it better than that. Somebody will come by eventually to tell you how to align your vehicle, and hopefully refer you to a shop, if you don't want to do it yourself.

 

They should be able to do it but you may need to provide them with the specs since their books and computer program won't go back that far. If they don't know what they doing they will set it to toe-out since that's how the front wheel drive cars get set, rear wheel cars set to toe-in.

 

In theory yes, but you will most likely need to supply them the specs.

 

or possibly try a truck alinement shop as they have to work on many more complicated front ends and very basic older designed front ends. Give them the specs and make sure you have a source for the possibly needed shims as called out in tech manual and you should be good to go. Come back and let usl know how things played out.

 

X2 on shims--I had a friendly and competent shop align my '68--had no problem with the specs but I did take my own shims because they no longer keep any.
Patrick

 

No! It is my sad experience that most alignment shops SUC_. Finding an "ole skool" shop that actually knows what it is doing is difficult. As the above posts attest, any good shop should be able to do it. The reality is that I finally got my '82 Chevy pickup - Buick powered of course - aligned correctly at the fourth shop that did it. One left the front end in dangerous condition, the next was so far out that I wonder if it ever actually was placed on an alignment rack. I estimate that I have done 2,000 alignments - mostly on a John Bean Visualiner (that dates me). The worst alignment that I ever did was better then then the first three alignments that I had done on my pickup.

 

It's not so much the shop, but the guy doing the alignment. I would shy away from a tire shop,,,after 30 years in the auto business I could list hundreds of reasons, but yer gonna have to trust me on this one. Find a reputable front end shop that has lots of experience with older/truck stuff. Yes, you'll probably have to provide the specs.

 

So I take it John that your happy with the final outcome??? As we have never really talked about it.


Tom T.

 

I agree. A real frame & alignment shop will, most likely, be your best bet. Ask around and check references from others who have had work done there. We are fortunate, here in my area, to have several reliable shops. If you could tow it here (about 6 hrs.), I could have it done and guarantee you'd be happy.

BTW, Our Daughter,& family, lives a bit south of you. Hodgenville.

 

It doesn't need to be towed. I was just out driving it today. Hodgenville is a nice little town. I emailed a guy in Louisville with the AACA and asked him to recommend a shop around here so we'll see what happens. Thanks for the help and HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!! :beers2:

 

Cool. Wasn't sure if you were driving your Buick. Didn't know how badly it was out of alignment. Next time we are heading down to Hodgenville, I'll let you know. Buy you a cold one, or two.

And...........HAPPY NEW YEAR to EVERYBODY!! as well.

 

It goes where I point it Tom. That's a hell of an improvement over what has happened in the past. The short answer is yes. If you want a recommendation - you have one from me. The truck is the best that it ever has been. The engine runs strong and smooth, the steering is good, I wish you did bodywork! Happy New Year, Tom.

 

I'm not even sure if the problem is in the alignment. I heard back from a guy in Louisville with the AACA and he recommended a couple of places so I'm going to give them a call next week....

 

The center link needs to be removed, disassembled, cleaned and inspected (you can do that). It cannot be adjusted with worn or broken parts.
The steering box may need to be rebuilt. Most can only be adjusted out of the car on the bench.
Study your service manual and take it with you. Any shop can set toe in, but have no clue on how to set camber and caster on your 56 Buick. Don't leave the car. If the shop will not let you stand next to the car to observe and ask questions...leave.

 

I had the front end aligned today at one of the shops recommended by Fred Trusty, the president of the Louisville chapter of the AACA. The tech said the toe-in was off so both front tires were pointing outwards which explains why it was so hard to steer. He also tightened up the screw on one end of the center link four turns because he said it was way too loose and he also heavily greased everything up front which I'm sure helped too. It made a big difference so now I can steer it with one finger instead of two hands. We took it for a spin when he was done which is when he explained to me all that he had done to it. I had brought five Motor Life magazines from the '50s with me to read while I was waiting so I gave them to him when we got back to the shop as a token of my appreciation. Even though I was there over two hours I was only charged $85 which is their labor charge for one hour so I think giving him the magazines saved me a few bucks. I'm very glad that the problem has been resolved and thanks again to all those who offered advice and positive comments....

 

Great news. Good to know you found an honest, knowledgeable person to get everything right and safe. Be sure to send everyone you know there. The way he does business, you'll get a lot of "Thank Yous!" from all those you send his way.

 

I'm up the road in Seymour, IN, but it sounds like it would be worth a trip down I-65 when I get to that point on mine. What is the name of the shop?

 

Tony's Brake & Alignment on Poplar Level Road....

 

Thanks!