lex430

I am just wondering, I am about to get my new 18' wheels (currently on stock 16'), and I am curious if I need an alignment after installing the new wheels?

I had one done when I got my L-tuned spring/shock installed at the dealer, this was few months back,

opinions?

///MDex

I'm not an alignment expert, but my logic would tell me yes.

You car will not ride the same way, and will be a different height and weight more than likely, so a re-alignment, at least to me, would make perfect sense.

Keep us posted.

lex430

any special settings? I know it's been discussed in length, but haven't seen any "correct/proper" settings with 18' wheels and specific suspensions.

Should I go to the dealer for this? or any wheels shop can do, big O, costco..etc?

///MDex

Hmmm - I don't know about 18s, but you can see factory specs here.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=31735

They are not dead on numbers really; more like a range, but a higher end shop with a Hunter machine should do you well.

Heck, I found out last week that a local dealer has a Hunter machine on-site, though I bet most dealers would frown on trying to balance and align anything other than factory wheels.

Worth a call.

JacobT

No. You don't need the alignment. Alignment is only needed when suspension geometry was changed. By just changing the wheels, if the total diameters are within 1/2" difference. Don't worry about the alignment.

///MDex

OK - answer me this:

Say I went form 17s to 19s - would I need an alignment then?

Wouldn't the larger wheels add weight to the car and / or suspension components, thus changing the alignment values?

TIA

JacobT

Alignment is basically adjust the angle the tire touches the ground(camber) and the parallelism of the wheel pairs(toe). Caster is fixed for GS. If your rim is perfectly streight, you should be able to remove the wheel and get an alignment job done. The alignment job is to correct the wheel mounting surface relative to the suspension, it has nothing to do with the weight nor the size of the wheel.

I always like to put my 16" stock wheels on for an alignment job then put my 18" rims back on myself to avoid any scratchs on my C5's.