[GH85Carrera]

I took my El Camino in to get an alignment. I think it has been 10 years or so since my last alignment. Most of the big tire shops have an alignment rack, and some guy that just does what the computer tells him, assuming they have the set up for a 1980s car. I don't want a box stock alignment.

So I started asking my car geek friends where is someone that is a true alignment guy. I used to go to a guy on the edge of town, that was an old grey haired man that truly knew alignment. He decided he was just got too old to keep doing it and the bum retired on me.

I ended up with a recommendation of going to a body shop up in Guthrie. I chatted with the mechanic first and explained I do most of my own work, but alignment is obviously something that needs a pro. I knew I did not want a stock alignment, as that wears out the outside edges of the front tires really fast with the way I take corners. I want 1/2 a degree of negative camber not the 1/2 degree of positive camber the book calls for. I like a bit more caster as well.

One reason I knew it was time for some front end work is the lower ball joints were getting worn. He suggested we replace them and agreed they were not shot, but worn. Since he has all the equipment, and it is a Chevy the parts were $80 and installation was $90 and I don't have the press to do it so I did not have to do anything but spend a bit more. The parts were delivered just as he got the old ones off.

No major oh wow difference, but I know my steering is much safer. Now it is time for some new front tires. The old ones are down to the wear bar, pretty evenly worn. I wanted him to see the wear to see what alignment needed to be done.

In chatting with the guy about the last alignment, James to old grey that retired was the man that taught him alignment and mentored him. So that was cool.