tire / allignment question
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
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tire / allignment question
25k miles on my first tires, and 20k on the current kumho asx tires, on my '02 corvette, i have inside wear on both fronts, and one rear tire looks worn, i would like to get it alligned, but has anyone had "improved" tire wear by doing that, or could they mess it up??? guesse I am nervouse about having it alligned. I take lots of longer road trips, so a lot of highway driving. and also, they always put the wheel weight on the outside of the rim, why cant they go on the inside??? any experiences or advise would be appreciated. thanks much......... 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
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From: Murphy TX
Get it aligned, ask for a print out.
I would venture it has never been aligned, and it's come up on this board many times that the factory does a 'fly-by' alignment, so even brand new it could be off.
I would definitely get an alignment.
As far as balancing, they should be able to use a sticky weight on the inside of the rim (behind the spokes). You'll still see them throughthe spokes but at least they're not marking up the lip of your wheels.
I would venture it has never been aligned, and it's come up on this board many times that the factory does a 'fly-by' alignment, so even brand new it could be off.
I would definitely get an alignment.
As far as balancing, they should be able to use a sticky weight on the inside of the rim (behind the spokes). You'll still see them throughthe spokes but at least they're not marking up the lip of your wheels.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Rochester MN
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St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
I would look for a shop that specializes in alignments, not a dealer or tire store that offers alignments in addition to their main business. The last one I got was about $70, so they are not real expensive.
When you mention that you don't like the weights on the outside, that is not part of the alignment process, that is part of the wheel balance process. As was noted above there are weights that go on the inside of the wheels, a good tire shop should be able to set you up with those.
Hope this helps...
When you mention that you don't like the weights on the outside, that is not part of the alignment process, that is part of the wheel balance process. As was noted above there are weights that go on the inside of the wheels, a good tire shop should be able to set you up with those.
Hope this helps...
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 342
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From: Kearney NE
Originally Posted by roknrod5556
25k miles on my first tires, and 20k on the current kumho asx tires, on my '02 corvette, i have inside wear on both fronts, and one rear tire looks worn, i would like to get it alligned, but has anyone had "improved" tire wear by doing that, or could they mess it up??? guesse I am nervouse about having it alligned. I take lots of longer road trips, so a lot of highway driving. and also, they always put the wheel weight on the outside of the rim, why cant they go on the inside??? any experiences or advise would be appreciated. thanks much.........
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,338
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From: Houston Texas
If you have chrome rims, make sure the alignment shops are set up for rims larger then 17'' otherwise you will have divits in the chrome lip on your rear 18'' rims and that could lead to chipping chrome 
I went to my local chevy dealer because i could not find a local mechanic with the alignment machines that are made for larger then 17'' rims
I went to my local chevy dealer because i could not find a local mechanic with the alignment machines that are made for larger then 17'' rims
