Can a Wheel Alignment Be Done in 5 Minutes?

DOGGYWOWWOW on 30/01/2025 - 14:24
Last edited 30/01/2025 - 15:25

I got a wheel alignment done recently due to my last set of Continental Premium Contact 7 wearing out in 25000km (front tyres only and were never rotated so might be normal), but when I took the car to get a wheel alignment they were done in 5 min of pulling the car into the garage.

After reviewing the dashcam video I noticed it looked like they just pumped up the tyres. I didn't see any equipment that looked like an alignment being used.

At 1:50 one of the staff can be heard saying "someone told him to get a wheel alignment". I got the feeling that I was upsold even though I didn't need an alignment from my interactions with the staff.

As long as they checked the alignment and decided it didn't need adjustment I am happy but if they just pumped up the air and sent the car off I feel like I should get a refund.

Do you think a wheel alignment was done?

EDIT: I didn't get a print out listing the alignment either

EDIT 2: Showed the MyCar staff the video and they said they know I'm right that they did nothing because their machine is broken.

Poll Options

  • 2
    Yes
  • 83
    No
Automotive Wheel Alignment

Comments

  • coffeeinmyveins on 30/01/2025 - 14:33

    how much did you pay?

    • DOGGYWOWWOW on 30/01/2025 - 14:34

      $89

      • Murkymerv on 30/01/2025 - 16:27
        +3

        Short answer is no wheel alignment can be done in five minutes , unless you're the flash ⚡

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 30/01/2025 - 14:35

    Doesn't look like any wheel alignment work was done.

    @pegaxs?

  • bohn on 30/01/2025 - 14:36
    +1

    you definitely should get a refund and keep us posted

  • MS Paint on 30/01/2025 - 14:38
    +16

    Always ask for a print out of the before and after figures.

    They can't fudge it then.

    Looks like the use the Trigon 648 wheel alignment tool. The sensors weren't even removed or your car's specs measured.

    Demand a refund and from now on use a proper suspension shop.

    • DOGGYWOWWOW on 30/01/2025 - 15:05

      Thanks for confirming that, I'll go speak to them and see what they have to say.

      • Gunnar on 30/01/2025 - 16:30

        Note the other bit of advice that @MS Paint provided you: USE A PROPER SUSPENSION SHOP

        Suspension shops do proper wheel alignments, god knows what tyre shops do but they sure as hell don’t know how to do a wheel alignment.

        Theres a lot more to an alignment than the car tracking straight. You can have a terrible alignment and the car still tracks arrow straight. I haven’t gone to a tyre shop for an alignment for the last 15 years and my setup has never been better!

    • lachhelix on 30/01/2025 - 17:04

      Got any suspension shop recommendations my friend?

      • MS Paint on 30/01/2025 - 17:12
        +2

        Australia is a big place.

      • JIMB0 on 30/01/2025 - 17:52
        +2

        My local Pedders is great, but they are franchisees and yours may not be so good.

        The best place I ever went to was an old suspension shop that had a very old alignment machine which had no lasers or computers. They set the car up great.

        • MS Paint on 30/01/2025 - 18:00

          String and a metal ruler works great for toe adjustment.

        • lachhelix on 30/01/2025 - 20:38

          Oh yeah fanks, sussed them out, was wondering whether they did anything different than a normal wheel/tyre shop

        • donga100 on 30/01/2025 - 21:09

          Ironically my local MyCar is great too. 😅

          • BewareOfThe Dog on 30/01/2025 - 21:12

            @donga100: How many tyres did you buy?

            • donga100 on 30/01/2025 - 23:05

              @BewareOfThe Dog: 4 during Pirelli 50% off deal but I have used them for servicing previously too.

              • BewareOfThe Dog on 30/01/2025 - 23:09

                @donga100: I've always been wary. I had a bad experience (with kmart auto) with my falcon. Pink slip required, and i was worried about my muffler. $1700 later… (muffler passed). Shame I couldn't make it to my usual mechanic, who was 100ks away at the time.
                These days, i check the tyres before going in, take a few pics, and leave the tyre guage on the front seat.

              • BewareOfThe Dog on 30/01/2025 - 23:13

                @donga100: That's a good deal.

  • wikimee1 on 30/01/2025 - 14:42

    Only if it's only one tyre and if the guy is quick and efficient.

    • BartholemewH on 31/01/2025 - 03:49

      What? Alignment, not balance.

  • xuqi on 30/01/2025 - 14:44

    Doesn't look like they did anything…

  • Series4Episode10 on 30/01/2025 - 14:50

    Obviously didn't need it, I can attest to the cost of running a shop, but for the sake of customer relations, a "no charge" is worth the cost to the business in good will, possible repeat business and word of mouth advertising.

    • DOGGYWOWWOW on 30/01/2025 - 14:52
      +3

      I didn't think I needed it, but they told me a wheel alignment was needed as I got new tyres. I only agreed because the last set only lasted 25000km vs the 80000km my other cars get. Seems a bit disingenuous to recommend the service and then deem the service unnecessary without at least checking with a machine.

      • MS Paint on 30/01/2025 - 14:57
        +2

        Just because a car drives straight and "feels" ok doesn't meant an alignment isn't required. You had good grounds for accepting their suggestion. They just failed with their end of the bargain.

      • Series4Episode10 on 30/01/2025 - 14:58

        If they had any business acumen they would word their statements to customers better, mechanics tend to put little thought into customer relations, they could have said "with new tyres the car's wheel alignment needs checking" in which case it leaves the customer with the idea that if the alignment is good, they would not bother doing any further work, I had a wheel alignment in 2019 and they charged me for that but no adjustments were needed, I didn't complain as they went over my suspension and informed me everything was good, if they did that I think you should be ok to pay them for that peace of mind and service.

        • DOGGYWOWWOW on 30/01/2025 - 15:04
          +1

          Did they check though? I don't care if no adjustments were made, I just don't think they even bothered to check.

          • Series4Episode10 on 30/01/2025 - 15:09

            @DOGGYWOWWOW: You'll know to watch what is happening, I was able to see the mechanic drive my car from the tyre fitting shop to a shed where the alignment was performed and the owner informed me of what happened, that my ute neither needed alignment or had any suspension issues, be proactive when it comes to trades people or service providers, having a basic idea at least of what they will perform for you and monitoring what they do for you as much as possible is smart, I do believe you should choose another shop next time you need rubber.

  • jv on 30/01/2025 - 15:08
    +4

    You got done…

    https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/tell-us-your-story

  • JimB on 30/01/2025 - 15:20

    I'd share the receipt and video link with the head office of the tyre store company and also request a refund.

    Take the money and get it done elsewhere.

    If the car tracks straight and the tyres are wearing evenly, you may not need a wheel alignment.

    • DOGGYWOWWOW on 30/01/2025 - 15:24
      +6

      Showed the staff the video and they said they know I'm right that they did nothing because their machine is broken. MyCar has lost my business aside from the annual black friday 50% off Pirellis.

      • JimB on 30/01/2025 - 15:26
        +2

        I'd still tell head office.

        I'm sure Continental would want to know the MyCar franchise isn't doing the right thing.

        Did you change tyres also or just get a wheel alignment?

        Got the refund yet?

        • halo9 on 31/01/2025 - 01:06

          Had a similar thing occur at a Bob Jane branch in WA. Second set of new tyres and alignment after a couple years on old set. Came in and was charged for a rotate and check alignment (the 3rd time in total) and car came out pretty quick. They said all done and good and handed keys back. I started asking questions as other times I dropped car and came back later. They got the “tech” out to see me and he admits he can’t align my wheels due to their machine and my rim types (stock amarok 18”). End up getting refund for that day.

          Realise they have charged me other times too and never did one properly, though they did give a before after report but was it made up? Wouldn’t refund for other times. Complained to corporate office and heard crickets. Never buying tyres or going to their stores again.

      • AndyC1 on 30/01/2025 - 19:16

        Did they give you the $89 back?

  • Dollar General on 30/01/2025 - 15:34
    +22

    Seems like they performed a wallet alignment

  • ihbh on 30/01/2025 - 15:51

    1. You took your car to Chatswood Chase? The rent is exhorbitant so they need to get you out pronto. ;)

    2. You should have asked for a report first. I changed my front tires a couple of days before you at MyCar Chatswood (not Chase) where they do a proper job. I wasn't prepared to pay for a wheel alignment at their suggestion, but they did do a report for me confirming I didn't need it. https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/22732/119420/pxl_20250…

    PS: I hope you negotiated the tyres down from advertised price.

    • DOGGYWOWWOW on 30/01/2025 - 15:52

      Black friday 50% off Pirelli is the only reason I ever came.

      • serpserpserp on 30/01/2025 - 21:50

        I also only come over Pirelli tyres

        • eug on 31/01/2025 - 02:28
          +1

          jeez both of you, they're just tyres! 😏

  • pegaxs on 30/01/2025 - 15:58
    +1

    It can’t be “done” in 5 mins… but it could be checked in 5mins. Throw it up on the hoist, slap the alignment gear on it and check… if it’s within spec, there isn’t anything to touch.

    But this doesn’t even sound like they did that.

    • DOGGYWOWWOW on 30/01/2025 - 16:01
      +1

      I'm watching them do it now. It's been 30 minutes and they're still at it. Looking at how many steps are needed there is no reality where they did it the first time around.

      • ihbh on 30/01/2025 - 16:04
        +1

        Did you get them to print a before report?

        At least get them to print you an after report.

  • geekcohen on 30/01/2025 - 16:11
    +1

    Showed the MyCar staff

    Says it all.

    I went to MyCar for a Flat Tyre fix. "Sorry, cannot do it tomorrow". Went to TyrePower and they did it instantly.

    • GordonD on 30/01/2025 - 16:20
      +3

      Got a flat. Couldn't change it because the wheel nuts had been done up too tightly. Local mechanic I got the car serviced at about 12 months earlier was closest, with least damage to the tyre getting there. Asked them if they wanted to do it, or should I take it another few hundred metres to the tyre place. They said they'd do it there and then. Asked how much afterwards, and was told "no charge".

  • GordonD on 30/01/2025 - 16:14

    So the next moral dilemma is … if they've accepted they didn't do it, and now done it, do you report them and punish them for not doing it, or reward them for admitting they screwed up and let it go. And if you reward them will they do it to someone else tomorrow.

    • DOGGYWOWWOW on 30/01/2025 - 16:32
      +2

      Their compensation was an extra parking ticket for unlimited parking next time I come to the shopping centre.

  • 87percent on 30/01/2025 - 16:55
    +1

    Recently had this happen with a dealership who claimed they did a wheel alignment when they didn’t. Even took it back to them and they actually made it worse. Took it to an actual tyre place, and they printed out the before and after stats and it was clear that had done jack shit

  • JIMB0 on 30/01/2025 - 17:50
    +2

    Unless the tyres are worn unevenly or the car pulls to one side I wouldn't waste money on an alignment.

  • Pelicannn on 30/01/2025 - 19:10

    That’s kinda (profanity). I’d be going full Karen, not for your sake maybe, but the next sucker they try and pull the wool over.

    Not to mention the implications if a car did actually need a wheel alignment and nothing was done.

    Pretty disgusting. Where was this btw?

    • DOGGYWOWWOW on 30/01/2025 - 20:12

      MyCar, Ozbargain's favourite Black Friday Pirelli dealer but surprisingly owned by Continental?

  • MS Paint on 30/01/2025 - 19:13
    +4

    I’d be going full Karen

    Perfect, try this

  • Drakesy on 30/01/2025 - 19:31

    A Current Affair about to get a phone call.

  • life is suffering on 30/01/2025 - 19:47
    +2

    No more dash cams turned on from now on

    • DOGGYWOWWOW on 30/01/2025 - 20:15

      The alignment was so fast my dashcam hadn't even run out of battery yet.

      • life is suffering on 30/01/2025 - 20:16

        Lmao glad you had it. I hope you get refund OP.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 30/01/2025 - 23:16

    My experience from kmart auto 15 years ago reminds me of this

  • McFly on 31/01/2025 - 01:10

    Did those MyCar guys also go to Chatswood Upstairs Tyre College?

  • paloverde88 on 31/01/2025 - 01:18

    just did my rotate and balance and includes align all for $90 at T mart no readings printout just invoice that says align rotate balance.about 40 mins

  • cruel1337angel on 31/01/2025 - 01:52

    Paid for alignment to be done at myCar Hurstville. Steering wheel still wasn't straight and exactly as it was before I brought my car to them. Confronted them about getting them to do the alignment again and they just straight up refunded me. Must be common practice for them to steal money from customers this way. I'll be making sure to only ever buy tyres from them at Black Friday sales and nothing else. DIgusting behaviour to be stealing people's money like this and trying to get away with it.

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