Wheel Alignment Pricing

[jdidit]

Hey everyone, looking to get my gen 2 gts aligned and am luckily near Woodhouse in Nebraska. They have a Viper tech and trust their knowledge; however, have been quoted $600 for a 4 wheel alignment (I am replacing all tie rod ends, so need the alignment). This price seems insane to me, but thought I would check here to see if that is normal or if I should be looking elsewhere. Thanks!

 

[TexasViper35]

This is funny! I’ve owned Porsches most of my adult life, capable of nearly reaching 200 mph, and an alignment on them was < $200. But I was quoted nearly $1,000 by my local Dodge dealership for an alignment on my Gen III, so I guess Woodhouse might be letting you off easy at $600. My dealership said it would take about 7 hours to align the car; when I questioned that they said something about the car driving at 200 mph. There is no way that I can imagine a mechanic needing to spend 7 hours to align my car - but I suppose someone might chime in and prove me wrong! My dealership is worthless to me, but I’ve been to others out of state that are fantastic. I would recommend that you try a few other places. IMO this is a prime example for the definition of “The Viper Tax.”

 

[MoparMap]

I agree, that seems high. I had an independent shop near me that deals with race cars do it and I think it was maybe a 2 hour job for them at most and was done very well. If I remember right I want to say it was around $200. It can definitely be a 7 hour job as it just took me that long to do it all myself in my garage, but I was taking my time and doing a full brake fluid flush while I was there, lol. A lot of that time for me though was spent setting up the strings for the toe check and just generally double checking my work. Any shop with a laser machine and a lift should be able to do it in no time.

 

[jdidit]

Appreciate the responses! I'll check around town to see if who else may be capable of doing the alignment. I'm willing to pay more at Woodhouse as I know they have done a ton of these and have decades of experience, but triple might be a bit much! They did quote it as a 4+ hour job. Have also read on other forum posts that it takes "special viper tools", but can't imagine any good mechanic not being able to figure it out.

Thanks again!

 

[MoparMap]

The only special tools that I can think of are the ones to check the caster, but even then they aren't necessarily super critical. The front caster can always be checked the old fashioned way of turning the tires. The rear caster is where the tool is more useful (it's basically just an inclinometer that reports to a factory scan tool, I have a set). That being said, I've read that as long as you make sure to adjust both eccentric bolts the same amount to achieve the camber you want that it shouldn't be a big deal. Even then I think it's only really noticeable in a track situation.

One of the main differences I could see at Woodhouse might be that they would check and adjust the bump steer. It's adjustable on both the front and rear and not something that is typically checked by your average alignment shop as I believe it requires you to cycle the suspension, which could be somewhat difficult without some fixtures. Again though, I think this is only really critical if you are tracking the car or really concerned about it. If you haven't changed anything from stock I would be less worried about it as the factory set it up.

 

[Luco]

140$ Canadian here in Canada ......and did a very good job, took 1 hour!

 

[Tim]

I've had a couple of wheel alignments done over the last 20 plus years with a couple of Vipers. Even with me hanging over their shoulders and being anal about the settings its never been more than 90 mins from the time I drive the car in to I drive it out. No special tools needed, any decent tire shop can do it. This is a wheel alignment only. The biggest problem is having to gather up some strips of wood like 2*4's to help on the approach angle to clear the front valance. Watch the guys at the track align the Viper. Its easy and simple.

 

[Peter Kater]

Hello all,
That's something I will do over here in Europe (Slovakia to be precise) in a few days, and my good guess is I'll be good for about 50 Euros (about 60 Dollars) and maybe 2 hours at most.
I'll keep you posted. But in any case, the 3 figures I read from you guys (in America) for the job, seem exaggerated to me at least...

Pete

 

[InTheZoneAC]

Your suspension is no more complicated than any other modern sports car that gets alignments at $150.

 

[redtanrt10]

Jditit, I would guess at that price Woodhouse is including corner weighting as well as setting the camber to how you intend to drive; factory, mild aggressive, track. They know Viper suspension and race Vipers. If that's the case $600 is reasonable.

 

[Jametemp]

My father is a viper tech as well. He also told me it took almost a whole day. I didn't have him elaborate as what it took, but he has saved my butt many times with my Gen II. So when he says it takes this or that, I put faith in his word.

 

[Barry]

I had a dealer do an alignment on my Viper and they screwed it up so badly that the car drove sideways down the road and the bump steer almost sent me into the next lane. I drove it up to Tator's Garage for a full reset of the alignment. They worked on the car for about six hours fixing what the other shop had done. They also took the car out several times to make sure the bump steer was right. I don't remember what they charged but it was worth it. Note this also included balancing all four wheels.

 

[Peter Kater]

This is funny! I’ve owned Porsches most of my adult life, capable of nearly reaching 200 mph, and an alignment on them was < $200. But I was quoted nearly $1,000 by my local Dodge dealership for an alignment on my Gen III, so I guess Woodhouse might be letting you off easy at $600. My dealership said it would take about 7 hours to align the car; when I questioned that they said something about the car driving at 200 mph. There is no way that I can imagine a mechanic needing to spend 7 hours to align my car - but I suppose someone might chime in and prove me wrong! My dealership is worthless to me, but I’ve been to others out of state that are fantastic. I would recommend that you try a few other places. IMO this is a prime example for the definition of “The Viper Tax.”

I couldn't agree more with you on your remark concerning the "Viper Tax".
As if Viper owners were billionaires

 

[Frank Parise]

You are fortunate to live close to Woodhouse Dodge. If you think it is poor value, I suggest you make plans to stay the entire day and watch how it is done by the Viper Tech. You will learn the complexity and see how it is done right. All Dodge dealers are not the same.

 

[Garry Fuller]

I had Firestone here in Henderson, Nv do mine and they changed me 200.00$, with a warranty.