Just purchased Lifetime Alignment from Firestone...now regretting it

[JGood]

The side specific numbers do matter. As you said, the rack will center while driving, but unfortunately there is a direct link between the rack and the wheel. Therefor if the rack isn't already centered when that sheet is printed, then the wheel will be off center when driving. That is the reason you get it right smack dab in the middle of the specs. I have performed enough alignment's in my time to know that the best way to avoid a come back is to set everything you can exactly in the middle of the maximum and minimum specs. Do it right, do it once.

But what do I know, I only do this for a living.

Right, but it has nothing to do with his alignment. Like I said, "Those numbers only exist to help the tech keep the steering wheel centered without having to remove it and center it afterwords."

Saying the toe could be "better" doesn't make sense, as his toe settings are perfectly within spec. The actual alignment is good, which is what this thread is about, not if the steering wheel is straight.

I know what you're saying, you like to center the wheel prior to the alignment, and then make the toe settings equal on each side so no wheel adjustment is necessary. I agree, that's the best way to do it. But it's not the issue at hand here... His total toe is correct, and it's not the cause of his noise issue, or any other issue for that matter, besides possibly the wheel not being straight.

[JGood]

All I am trying to say here is that since the guy only had to adjust toe, he could have done a better job. I didn't say that it was going to cause a problem, I didn't say the guy should take the car back. I simply made an observation. The guy paid $170.00 for an alignment, it should be perfect. (What can be changed at least.)

I agree with that 100%.

But, you did say 'the toe could be better'. That's why we all said no, it couldn't. ;)