Dodge 2500 alignment and tire issues

#cummins #diesel #mudtires

[@jacemusgrove3073]

Yessir. I've been going to a small tire shop lately because the big shops are just lying! I told said big shop that I need an alignment and showed them the tie-rods and such that needed to be replaced. They told me it was OK for it's age and it would be cheaper to REPLACE the tires more often!

[@Andrewactual]

I think it’s that the employees don’t know what they are talking about half the time and most customers don’t know either so they get by or it’s all a scam and we are all marks in their confidence scams. After arguing about the front mount wheels this time, the Firestone employee reminded me that he was the tire guy, it’s more awkward since he is so wrong. 😬 I’ll try to play dumb customer better next time I guess.

[@travisslater6848]

Firestone / tires plus played the same game with me in Fredricksburg. 4 hours for them to tell me they couldn’t align the truck but had a list of other things the truck needed. After talking to corporate made appointment and sent to another location. Sat for two hours to be told their rack wasn’t big enough. Then again to a third location same story. After that I ended up getting my lifetime alignment refunded.

[@Andrewactual]

This was the third firestone I made an appointment at and each time I specified the vehicle, first two let me show up then said the truck was too big and second of the three refused to do my tires. I’m debating calling to get my lifetime alignment money back although I’ve definitely got my money out of it, that’s not the point. Thanks for sharing your experience Travis, I hope you are well!

[@manicmechanic9117]

I always use the smaller tire guys for this reason . Doing it myself is always the most dependable way for me lol . As far as alignments go I use the Lufkin liner method works every time no appointment needed .

[@Andrewactual]

I’m definitely going to look into this method. I appreciate the information! I think a tire machine is in my future, I’m pretty much done with shops and I can’t do alloys manually again or on wheels I care about.

[@jacobkarns2025]

I have an 08 Dodge 2500, PCSed to South Korea, came back to grab the fam and head to Campbell from Eglin. Had a tight timeline, needed tires, had to order the what I wanted Online. None of the local shops would touch them because "they're oversize" (35's) and "I didn't purchase them through their shop." Luckily Eglin Autoskills Center has a baller setup, eventhough they wouldn't let me use their machines. I think it cost me $75 in the end. Side note you can do a string and a tape measure alignment on your truck, which can tell you everything from toe to axle to frame alignment on the whole truck. (I've done it a few times on semis back when I was a diesel tech.) Or if you just care about toe buy/make the toe alignment tool that mounts to the wheel hub. TMR makes them for $75ish.

[@Andrewactual]

I totally forgot about the one TMR sells! I’ve run into the “we only mount tires we sell” places. That just tells you the mark up on tires is so big they aren’t willing to work 30 minutes for $100. The auto craft centers are awesome if they are still open and depending on who and how they are run. The one at Redstone was so clean you could eat off the floor.

[@justinbirch93]

I have a dually with 35" mud tires and always have trouble at shops. Eventually I found 2 places that I trust, each one being about 45 minutes from where I live. Most people won't touch it because I have rear spacers or they just try to sell me whatever tire brand they can upcharge the most on.

[@Andrewactual]

It’s ridiculous, I’ve had them refuse to put wheels back on adapters as well, not an option for a dually that needs the space for tires out back though obviously. I may talk to a couple small shops before I need service next time and find a decent one. I’m done with chains though. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@hollandduck79]

Hello🙋‍♂️from the Netherlands 🇳🇱. thanks for the video Andrew . Sincerely, Hollandduck 🇳🇱🦆

[@Andrewactual]

Thanks again hollandduck79!

[@hollandduck79]

@@Andrewactual 👍

[@dpeagles]

Man I can feel this struggle. Everywhere you go it's incompetence, apathy, and laziness. Just horrible. Even worse since the pandemic.

[@Andrewactual]

I totally agree, it is unfortunate. When I see people actually getting it done and trying, I make sure I let them know I appreciate them.

[@owendodman3037]

You should find a local shop willing to work with you. And these ball bearing style dynamic balancers. And try all these different theories on a balancing machine.

[@psychology2217]

It’s not just tire shops, it’s literally most businesses, especially those who can up-sell you on additional products or services. I’ve found that unless you have at least basic knowledge about what service you are having done or product you are purchasing, someone will try to rip you off. If they try to rip you off bad enough that you call them on their BS, they are usually so embarrassed or frustrated that they just tell you that they can’t help you. Society in general has become a complete joke. I DIY everything I can and am very very careful if I must hire.

[@Andrewactual]

I feel ya there man, I DIY as much as I can as well. Thanks for sharing!

[@kaiyanater2215]

You are just using the wrong ppl. We use commercial vehicle shops in central Virginia and come to you tire guys all the time and they do what needs to be done.

[@Andrewactual]

I know some guys at the local wrecker yard, I’ll have to talk to them. At least they know how to manually break down tires which most tire shops have no idea how to do, I think that should be a right of passage. I just didn’t think about them messing with light truck stuff, thanks for the idea.

[@Andrewactual]

Just sharing my experience with Firestone complete auto repair. I hope you all are doing well.