I rebuilt the entire front end of my 1960 Chevy Impala this summer. Every single part was put in new, along with two-inch drop spindles in front and disk brakes. I did the work myself. I have built hot rods for 30 years, and this car was hot-rodded in the early '60s and customized in the '90s. When I got it aligned, they said they could not get the steering wheel centered when going down the road, because the steering column bearings were shot. I knew they were bad, so accepted this reasoning without thinking it out. The guy at the counter said that when I got the bearings in, I could always run it back down and they could center the wheel for me. It would be no big deal. I said ok and took off.
The alignment seemed to be good, but the wheel, being off by a quarter turn, was a hassle. With my left arm on the arm rest, the normal gripping area was too far down. I ordered the steering column bearings and finally got a long weekend to install them. That was a difficult job, but I got it done and the steering was rock solid. I had tried to move the wheel a quarter turn from where I took it off in an attempt to center it. It was still off a good 1/8 turn. The bottom bearing has to be preloaded after the top bearing and wheel are on.
I was not going to take the wheel back off being that close, and take a chance of the top bearing popping back off. I ran it down to Big O Tires this morning to get the steering wheel centered. Luckily the same guy was there. However he said to do it, I would need a whole new alignment. I said, "No way. You mark the tie rod sleeves and turn both sides the same amount. I have done it before." He said no and that everything would be affected. I said again, "No, they won't. That is how you center the wheel." He said he would talk to his mechanic who comes in later about 20 minutes.
I thought, "Good. Someone who will know something." I then said, "To be fair, I could give you a couple bucks, but it doesn't need an alignment, and there is no way I want to pay for that. I mean, I just got it aligned, and it is good. You said that I could take it back and you would just center the wheel, remember?" He said, "Well, I will see what the mechanic says and will give you a call." I said ok and took off.
When he called me back a half hour later, he said they would do the alignment for half the price. I was so angry I just said, "I will take care of it myself." He said, "Ok, sir." I hung up.
