Front end alignment in Seattle area

[GreenMachineVW]

I am in the process of rebuilding my front end on a 1983 air cooled Vanagon. I have all the parts stripped off the vehicle. The large parts have been powder coated, all rubber parts, bushings, ball joints, manual steering rack and fasteners replaced with new. When I put it all back together I will try and match the old parts as much as possible as far as positioning for the alignment. However, I will still certainly need a complete front end alignment and all the geometry adjusted.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a shop in the Seattle, or preferably Tacoma area that will give all the settings a once over and make adjustments as needed? A Vanagon specialist would be prefered, but I am open to any shop that will look at all the pieces involved.

Thanks in advance.

[Crankey]

I went to Fosters frame and axel for my bushings and alignment, excellent shop.
I would also go to True Line on cap hill if it was closer.
I'd expect excellent work at either shop. I went to Fosters because they're very close to my work.

[Butcher]

Tru-line in Bellevue is my go to when I need to have it done right. They are not cheap but the best rarely is.

[Microbusdeluxe]

^^^^^What he said ^^^^^ Tru Line Bellevue
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[Franklinstower]

Omni in kirkland.
I have used both tru line and Omni. Both are good, wildly different in cost though, with tru line the more expensive.
Pat at omni also owns a vanagon (as does pete? At tru line)
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[do.dah]

Tru-line Bellevue. Yes, Pete' daily driver is a Vanagon. They do a total alignment, not an "alignment lite" like you get from most shops that say they do alignments. And, if you mention what all you did, Pete will put a wrench/check your work. More expensive,, but you get more.

[jimf909]

[GreenMachineVW]

Thank you all for your replies. That gives me what I need to make a few calls. Having Pete check my work sounds like a smart idea.

[rag63]

I took my ‘81 Van to a Les Schwab after doing a front end refresh. It was aligned right the first time.
Les Schwab is everywhere in the PNW.
In my experience, the guys that work in the alignment shop are good.
Cheers,
Dave

[do.dah]

I'll use Les Schwab on vehicles that I FEEL are basically close to being in spec. But, they're not really capable of doing a true 4 wheel alignment, especially on an older vehicle like ours. Not to disparage Les Schwab, but, I feel they do an "alignment lite", "good enough, close enough, may be a wee bit outta called for specs, but you'll never notice" kinda deal. A shop that specializes in alignment, that will get all measurements into specs and adjust them to newer updated info, and check previous work,, priceless.

[VeeDubn]

I see these posts from 2021 recommending Tru-Line Bellevue for a front end alignment . . . still a preferred recommendation? Others? I am in Olympia, so would need to set the day aside, but willing to do so.

Thank you!

~ Judy

[Christopher Schimke]

You would be well served to go over to the M-Shop in Kirkland. Pete, who used to work at Tru-Line, now works at the M-shop. He's a Syncro owner and is the absolute best alignment tech I know.
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[VeeDubn]