Kathy,
I'm afraid you've just had a bad experience with an alledged mechanic.
The only way the wheel bearings could affect the alignment would be for
them to be so worn that the wheel/hub was literally wobbling on the
spindle. And then no amount of grease (re-packing) would have any effect
on either.
I would suggest that you and/or your husband go back to the alignment
shop and have a word with the owner/manager.
The price for either operation is, IMHO excessive. On the MG, the only
adjustment that can be made is the toe-in. nothing else is adjustable.
Most reputable shops can set that in a few minutes for a lot less. I've
never had to pay over $25.00 to get the toe set.
As for $50.00 to repack the wheel bearings, unless their hourly labor
rate is outrageous, that too in on the high side.
When you return, make sure you bring a cataloge from Moss, VB, or
whoever, to let the head honcho at the shop know exactly how much those
little knock-offs cost. And make sure he pays for the thing.
If it's all to no avail, don't threaten to use the pipe wrench to remove
his head, just place a call to the local BBB and Chamber of Commerce and
register a complaint.
Then, very loudly tell everyone you know to avoid this turkey like the
plague!!
Rick Morrison
72 MGBGT
74 Midget
On Mon, 24 Nov 1997 18:24:42 -0700 "The Johnson's"
<mgpilot2@earthlink.net> writes:
>I need the wisdom of the list to help know what to do--
>Both of my front tires were wearing on the outside so I took my 70B in
>to have an alignment done . The shop assured me they could do it.
>When
>I picked it up they said they had to repack the wheel bearings because
>the alignment wouldn't hold. I didn't understand at the time what
>wheel
>bearings have to do with an alignment holding but I thought maybe
>there
>was something I didn't know(seems to happen a lot to me).. You guys
>(and gals) tell me do the wheel bearings affect the alignment? Last
>May
>(app. 3,000 miles ago) I redid the front end on this car and the wheel
>bearings were packed then, would they need to be done again?
>When I got home I was checking things out and notice they had marked
>up
>my knockoffs. I don't know what they used to take them off but it
>looks like they took a pipe wrench to them. My knockoff wrench and
>hammer were in the trunk but I guess they didn't look there. I think
>they should have to come up with some money for the damage they did to
>them. Does that seem right? When my husband got home he was not a
>happy camper when I told him what they'd done and what it cost
>($100.00
>- $50.00 for the alignment and $50.00 to repack the bearings). He
>doesn't know why they needed to do the bearings but I said I would ask
>you guys before he goes down to talk to the shop.
>And yes I've learned my lesson. I'll do the work myself the next
>time.
>
>TIA
>
>Kathy Johnson
>70B Mr. Green
>79Midget Colonel Mustard (by the side of the road with a wrench)
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