Wheel alignment?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: FL
Wheel alignment?
After I replaced 4tires at firestone, they told me I need to do wheel alignment according their reports. Honestly, I didn't feel anything bad. Should I follow their words and go ahead to do it?
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 212
Likes: 1
From: Tx
Its not needed, if you dont feel any vibrations or obsessive tire noise. in 10k you should check to see if your tire wear is even on all fours. you can also ask yourself when the last time your rx had an alignment done and how new the tires were then.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
out of alignment setup will chew the new tires and give you poorer milage.
Just replacing the tires should not throw the alignment off.
Check the old tires for abnormal wear (may be too late now). If your alignment was good before, you should not need one. On the other hand if you are buying very expensive set of tires, no harm in confirming the settings.
Middle of the road might be, observe abnormal wear and tracking for the first 100 miles. Have it addressed if there is a problem. Note the shop should offer 2 wheel or 4 wheel alignment. Easy adjustment is toe-in for RX. The other adjustments are either fixed or need shim/washers. Lexus shop may be among the best option.
My view ... if it is right .. dont mess with it.
Salim
Just replacing the tires should not throw the alignment off.
Check the old tires for abnormal wear (may be too late now). If your alignment was good before, you should not need one. On the other hand if you are buying very expensive set of tires, no harm in confirming the settings.
Middle of the road might be, observe abnormal wear and tracking for the first 100 miles. Have it addressed if there is a problem. Note the shop should offer 2 wheel or 4 wheel alignment. Easy adjustment is toe-in for RX. The other adjustments are either fixed or need shim/washers. Lexus shop may be among the best option.
My view ... if it is right .. dont mess with it.
Salim
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 210
From: Miami, Florida
Last year I got new tires and did not do an alignment, because I was no longer in Mexico and had done an alignment the very day before I left and haven't noticed any issue with the tires thus far. However, I used to do alignments very often in Mexico, where they were cheap (about $5 USD for a 4 wheel alignment on a Hunter machine), because I knew the guy through my Uncle Antonio, and I can tell you Mexico City streets (not necessarily their highways) would screw up an alignment 30 seconds after you left the tire place, but on U.S. roads really not needed unless you notice something odd such as strange tire wear or pulling to one side or the other oddly (and that might be something else such as a suspension bushing).
Last edited by Lexmex; Feb 18, 2009 at 08:17 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 834
Likes: 81
From: Nukewastedump
Our 05 RX was pulling to the right last year. THere was no abnormal wear on the tires, but they were low on tread so got 4 new tires. Still pulled right after that so got an alignment form Sears (I've always had good luck with Sears alignments over the years) and problem resolved. Cost about $70, very reasonable for 4 wheel. Just my little story
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: FL
I didn't see any abnormal tread wear on my old tires and I don't need adjust the wheel very often when I was driving. When would you guys will do wheel alignment? After your observation or after an electronic machine report?
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CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
If so then it is evidence that adjustment needs to be made. Now if the number is within tolerance, and you observed no abnormal wear, punt.
Salim
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: FL
Yeah, something like that. Do you think the number is trustable? Just wonder if there is any way the shop cheated to make more money on me?
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
^^ that is a slippery slope .. the machine can be off calibration too..
I am at loss. You have to go with your gut feel or watch the tire wear and pull.
Sorry cant be of more help.
Salim
I am at loss. You have to go with your gut feel or watch the tire wear and pull.
Sorry cant be of more help.
Salim
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: CA
Just had new tires and alignment done. Car was pulling to right a little but had even tire wear. The steering wheel / back tire alignment was off by couple degrees. Everything is good now. Alignment should be under $80 for all 4 tires.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 42
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From: FL
where did you do alignment? $80 for all 4 tires sounds not bad.
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