HELP!!! Alignment expertise appreciated...

Just wore out a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 245/40-19, 275/35-19 Staggered Fat setup on 19" wheels. Front tires were BADLY worn on the inside.

Car is moderately lowered on TEIN CS coilovers. Not slammed.

Just installed new Pirelli PZero Nero M&S 245/35-19, 275/30-19. Took car to Tires Plus because they had Road Force Balancer (Hunter GSP9700), but they declined to do it. This is not the problem, standard balance came out OK.

Tires Plus refused to do the alignment due to the lowered car. They say that the factory specs don't apply now, and they have no idea how to line it up. What's the real deal here?? I've searched thru the many alignment threads for the GS but can't come up with a clear answer. Do I need a custom shop to compensate for the lowering? Can it be ignored and still have normal tire wear? I assume I don't need a camber kit since it's not slammed?

If custom alignment shop needed, anyone know one in South Jersey/Philly?

Thanks!
Jerry

 

They wont do the alignment because its lowered...and it will never be within OEM specs....so most shops dont even bother trying to align it.

If you and the shop acknowledges this ahead of time....maybe they will do their best...you still pay the shop for an alignment....that way...you will at least know how much off you are from OEM specs....and will help determine if its the camber or toe problem.

Thats what I did.

 

Got the car aligned today at a local custom shop.
Tech said the TOE was way out, that both front wheels were pointing outward, so it was like dragging the tires down the road.
Car is SOOOOO smooth now, and less steering wheel vibration as well.
Hopefully this set of tires will last now.

 

good thing u aligned it. toe is the most responsible for eating your tires.
did the shop adjust your camber as well?

 

Didnt need much camber adjustment, it was pretty good.

Why is toe most responsible???, I would have thought too much neg camber would be worse.

 

When your toe is off, your tires are scrubbing against the road. With a slight negative camber, your tires will still be rolling. Now, large negative camber plus incorrect toe is the worst

 

Got it! Thanks!!!

 

scrubbing....perfect word choice Henry!!

 

Glad you got your alignment issues taken car of Jerry. Here is alignment fundamentals that should be informative to all.

http://www.spcalignment.com/PROD_DIR...ndamentals.pdf

 

Awesome writeup, THANKS!

 

i also got my alignment today.no more wheel vibrations,but stiull have camber issues,no my car being lowered,the guy @the alignment shop said that this vehicle came with a camber kit and that he was able to adjust the camber and i woudnt see and more camber for $65.99 all four wheels.not bad for the price but wondering if this is all possible or iam i getting a run for my $ thx