This was an already old '78 wagon in 1990 (not competitive). And the outward BJ positioning made the negative camber obvious when eye-balling from 30" or so.

But I didn't notice that, and rushed to the CT state inspection—where it failed the drive-over alignment test big time. All I did next was to reposition the BJs inward — IMO, a more "natural" position, given the slight down-slope of the control arm at rest. The next day it zipped thru reinspection perfectly.

Since then, that's how I've done several BJs and havn't seen an alignment shop in years. Just occasional DIY Toe adjustments with a trammel gauge. And a rare Camber check with a bubble gauge.
--
Bruce Young
'93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.

I just got my car aligned after having a tie rod and bushing replaced--the alignment was $45. Earlier in January, PepBoys was running a special on alignments for $55 with a $15 mail-in-rebate. I was going to use that but that's when I discovered I needed to replace a few suspension parts first.
--
'89 244 GL -- 117,000 miles (see profile for info on car)

You could try European Auto in Silver Spring (I think it's 8806 Monard Dr., off Brookville Rd). Friend of mine used to work there, and they do alignments. The owner knows 240s, and Volvos in general, but they work on all sorts of cars. There's also a Volvo shop up the street from them, not sure if they do alignments though.

And if you ever need tires, I highly recommend Radial Tire on Brookville Rd. Great prices, but more importantly, they know their stuff.
--
forums.turbobricks.com

The going rate for an alignment is $50-$75. Most independent shops don't have alignment machines. They subcontract the work out to the local front end shop.

I would advise you to make sure every aspect of the front end is tight so you don't get any suprise news when the car gets put on the rack. I just suffered that fate myself. I just rebuilt my front end, struts,strut bearings, balljoints, outer tierod ends, bushings. The rack was relpaced about three years ago, and I thought the inner tierods that came along with it should still be in good condition.

I was wrong, it was a case of me not knowing how much play was to much. I was made aware of the condition when I got the call from the shop, and had to pay them premium dollars for their parts and labor. OUCH! Those were parts that I could have and should have replaced while I was in there. Inner tierod ends are $19 each at FCP Groton, I paid a lot more to the shop. Live and learn.

I have not used places like Sears or Goodyear in a long while, but I guess they would be O.K. Maybe others can offer some input. Make sure you tell them upfront about the off center wheel, it should be a part of any alignment, some techs might overlook it

Good luck,
--
Bruce S. near D.C.