Altech Automotive Ltd. (...for alignments)

[shaqkur]

Just came back from Altech. Call Friday at 4pm and got the appointment Saturday 9am. Pat and crews are professional and easy going guys. You can tell they enjoy their work...especially proud of the positive reviews he gets.

I went in for alignment because I replaced a set of new tires. My old ones are wore out on the side.
Pat told me Mazda camber kit is not adjustable and hence he has seen so many MZ3 tires wore out near the inside sidewall. He replaced mine with an adjustable camber kit and did my alignment for $380 cash all-in price. Pat took his time to do fine adjustments. Now my car is dead on. He even did me a favor to grease my progress sway bar bushing.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND to Mazda 3 forum members! It's worth the drive to Altech in Etobicoke !

PS. Too bad I don't know how to post image; otherwise, I will put up the before/after report.

I was there a couple of months back for the same reason you were in. New tires, old tires worn out on the inside. But my alignment was within specs. Was your alignment out of specs?? Hence--getting an adjustable camber kit. At the time Pat didnt suggest tht I get a kit. Just wondering.

Pat did say tht Mazda3's negative camber wears out tires quickly plus the stock tires are really bad. Im just hoping tht my new set of tires will last longer.

[alau]

I was there a couple of months back for the same reason you were in. New tires, old tires worn out on the inside. But my alignment was within specs. Was your alignment out of specs?? Hence--getting an adjustable camber kit. At the time Pat didnt suggest tht I get a kit. Just wondering.

Pat did say tht Mazda3's negative camber wears out tires quickly plus the stock tires are really bad. Im just hoping tht my new set of tires will last longer.

Mine was out of spec. I have 2 sets of tires and both got worn out. My car is 4 years old. Tire23 told me a couple of years ago to have alignment check. I did and first though it was an alignment problem. Then my winter set worn out too. Then I faced front passenger strut leaked and I though that was the reason....until today I learn the truth. Pat actually ask me to post the reason on the forum and make the member aware of the design issue. He added that my wore out tires contributed to the road noise that I heard.

You should place close attention to it so that you don't have to buy a new set of tires. Good luck

[zoso]

ignore.... confused this for another shop

[dj_chinaman2097]

Pat told me Mazda camber kit is not adjustable and hence he has seen so many MZ3 tires wore out near the inside sidewall. He replaced mine with an adjustable camber kit and did my alignment for $380 cash all-in price. Pat took his time to do fine adjustments. Now my car is dead on. HIGHLY RECOMMEND to Mazda 3 forum members! It's worth the drive to Altech in Etobicoke!

After buying the Eibach adjustable camber links separately and having them installed at Street Performance, I would recommend you just go to Altech and get their package. It includes the same kit, install and alignment. It'll save you from potentially having the issues I ran into:


Whoever installed the camber links at Street Performance (I dropped off the car) put the car to "factory specs" by using the tightest setting out-of-the-box. The nuts should be loosened to extend the joint outwards. Otherwise, once installed on the car, there is no room for tools to make adjustments.


Pat replaces the stock allen-head bolt with an 8mm hex bolt so it's easier to adjust. There isn't enough clearance to work the allen bolt when the camber links are installed, especially if the tightest setting was used.


The hex bolt makes it easier to adjust the camber links once installed on the car.


Pat at Altech knows alignments. He knows how to install the adjustable camber links so that the first and future alignments are a breeze.

Pat went out of his way and spent more than an hour and a half correcting the adjustable camber links install, explaining what he had to do, and aligning the car back to spec.

Recommended.

[cwp_sedan]

[baymoe]

Went there today as well from all the recommendations others have made. Took the time to make the proper adjustments and also swapped out the allen screw bolts with hex units.

[cosworth]

I have to say after bringing my car to Woodbridge Alignment I thought I was in good hands but had to go there 2x and they could not fix my alignment and 1 of tires started to loose thread since lowering the car. Well I went to Altech and spoke to Jim who is a very nice guy and very knowledgeable and his staff are very polite.

Well after putting my car on their system it showed that my car was adjusted all wrong. I was 2.9 negative on one wheel and 2.5 in the other (camber).

The Mazda6 should be between 1.2-2.0 and he was able to adjust me Camber to 1.8 which I feel right away and the my back wheels are sitting almost completely flat.

Also my toe was 1.9 and one wheel and 1.5 on the other. He was able to adjust my toe to .10 each wheel.

So if you are looking to lower your car I have heard nothing but great reviews about this business.

Clubs that go there: BMW, Lexus, RX-8, TM3 Members (ofcourse). now TM6 (me).

[miket]

how much do they charge

[dj_chinaman2097]

how much do they charge

Give them a call and ask. (416) 231-1611.

They'd prefer not to advertise their price.

[miket]

thanks i will give them a call

Give them a call and ask. (416) 231-1611.

They'd prefer not to advertise their price.

[aZuMi]

Pat and Jim were very helpful and knowledgeable about alignments. Unfortunately, I waited quite a bit when I was there since Jim injured his thumb the day before my appointment and had to do things with one hand. Knowledgeable and they have all the equipment to do lowered cars.

My only gripe is that after they finished the alignment, I noticed that my black calipers + decals were ruined.

I recommend them, just make sure you haven't painted your calipers yet.

[baymoe]

Pat and Jim were very helpful and knowledgeable about alignments. Unfortunately, I waited quite a bit when I was there since Jim injured his thumb the day before my appointment and had to do things with one hand. Knowledgeable and they have all the equipment to do lowered cars.

My only gripe is that after they finished the alignment, I noticed that my black calipers + decals were ruined.

I recommend them, just make sure you haven't painted your calipers yet.

You sure they weren't wrecked before heading in? I can't imagine the elastics holding the aligning panels would ruin your decals on the calipers.

[laksman91]

You sure they weren't wrecked before heading in? I can't imagine the elastics holding the aligning panels would ruin your decals on the calipers.

Yeah thats what I would think.

Is it possible you had your calipers done before winter and went to get your alignment after you swapped your summers on. And only noticing the harsh effects of winter after that?

[aZuMi]

You sure they weren't wrecked before heading in? I can't imagine the elastics holding the aligning panels would ruin your decals on the calipers.

I forgot to mention that I also did camber kit installation..Would that make more sense?
The calipers and decals were freshly painted two weeks before my appointment. So no, it wasn't ruined before I went to Altech. It's possible it got ruined as they were installing the cambers.

[jonjon72]

That has to be it. I have painted calipers and have gone to Altech for my last 3 alignments. Zero issues with paint coming off. Very happy with their service but ya, I had to wait over an hour to get my alignment done because Jim had sliced his hand open that afternoon. What a trooper.....he came in with his hand all wrapped up. Was it an inconvenience? Sure. But things happen and I highly doubt that Jim wanted this to happen.

[RedRaptor]

That has to be it. I have painted calipers and have gone to Altech for my last 3 alignments. Zero issues with paint coming off. Very happy with their service but ya, I had to wait over an hour to get my alignment done because Jim had sliced his hand open that afternoon. What a trooper.....he came in with his hand all wrapped up. Was it an inconvenience? Sure. But things happen and I highly doubt that Jim wanted this to happen.

Can someone also confirm that your rims will not get damaged in anyway during an alignment?

[jonjon72]

Can someone also confirm that your rims will not get damaged in anyway during an alignment?

Zero damage to the rims. There are still mint after 3 visits to altech!

[aZuMi]

Zero damage to the rims. There are still mint after 3 visits to altech!

It seems alignment is not a problem. I usually stick around whenever someone does something to my car. If you're getting cambers installed, I would suggest you stay when they take it off and put it back on. $2k rims worries me.

[baymoe]

Zero damage to rims. I expect nothing less as the bracket holding the aligning panels are held by the outer edges of the rim.

[rab33]

Been servicing at Altech since I bought my mazda in 2009. I usually drop off my car in the morning and take the subway to work (5 minute walk to kipling station). Ironically enough, I've never had an alignment done there, just regular (synthetic) oil changes, winter tire swaps, brakes, and one major service. Pat is a great guy, a straight shooter, and very knowledgeable. Prices are competitive but don’t expect any crazy discounts unless you are paying cash. Also, they are extremely busy ALL the time, but they’ll try to accommodate you the best they can.

They are very honest and won’t suggest things your car does not need. For the sake of balance though, my only gripe is that when my alternator went they quoted me $400 for a rebuilt alternator… I bought one elsewhere for $200 and had them install it. It could have been gouging or it could have been that their supplier was super expensive, but when we’re vulnerable like that (car is DEAD and sitting on their lot) it’s not cool to be taken advantage of. Also, I just needed things to get done so I OK’d them to replace the battery from their own inventory. Charged me $150 for an interstate battery and I didn’t investigate to determine if that was excessive or not. I will say though that they did the job right the first time and I’ve never had an electrical problem since, so kudos to them for that.

Great shop, just be sure to ask the right questions and don’t get super comfortable.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Sounds like I know where I will be going for my alignment this year.

[purefocus]

Planning on going to Altech soon for an alignment... roughly how far in advance will I need to book for a weekday appointment?

[acrossthec]

Was in this week after having the trailing arm bushing replaced, had my summers balanced and put back on and alignment. Jim was super nice even though sounded like he had a long day, had me in and out in 45 mins, paid cash. Chatted a bit about the camber, looks like it's sagged a bit since last time I was in, there may be a camber kit in my not too distant future.

A++ service all around.

[omalak]

Can someone PM me what they paid for full adjustment of alignment (front/rear with camber arms) I called this morning, and was told a standard alignment price, and a price if the camber arms are "seized"

Just want to verify what others have paid for front/rear alignment. I have no way of figuring out if my camber kit is "seized"

Thanks

[Flagrum_3]

Can someone PM me what they paid for full adjustment of alignment (front/rear with camber arms) I called this morning, and was told a standard alignment price, and a price if the camber arms are "seized"

Just want to verify what others have paid for front/rear alignment. I have no way of figuring out if my camber kit is "seized"

Thanks

What were you quoted?

_3