preemptive alignment recommended
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,774
Likes: 0
From: Loganville GA
preemptive alignment recommended
When I got my new wheels put on yesterday, I had the alignment checked. I have found most new cars to be off a bit. 3 or the 4 corners had the toe out of limits, the worst being the back right, at -4.6 degrees. 
The acceptable range is -1 to +1 degree.
My wife's G35c was similarly out and the tire was almost gone at 5000 miles. Luckily, no unusual wear on mine at 2800 miles yet.
The acceptable range is -1 to +1 degree.My wife's G35c was similarly out and the tire was almost gone at 5000 miles. Luckily, no unusual wear on mine at 2800 miles yet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
Is there a certain type of alignment I should look for and what should it cost me?
Does it make sense to just watch the tires carfully for uneven wear before paying for an alignment?
Does it make sense to just watch the tires carfully for uneven wear before paying for an alignment?
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,774
Likes: 0
From: Loganville GA
Originally Posted by C6Monty
Is there a certain type of alignment I should look for and what should it cost me?
Does it make sense to just watch the tires carfully for uneven wear before paying for an alignment?
Does it make sense to just watch the tires carfully for uneven wear before paying for an alignment?
For this particular shop, which is way overpriced, but worth it with custom wheels, I paid $140. Normally the price is probably 100-125.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,487
Likes: 71
From: So Cal
Originally Posted by corvette pilot
just a 4 wheel alignment. Every alignment shop I've been to uses the same standard equipment, because the computer printouts are all the same.
For this particular shop, which is way overpriced, but worth it with custom wheels, I paid $140. Normally the price is probably 100-125.
For this particular shop, which is way overpriced, but worth it with custom wheels, I paid $140. Normally the price is probably 100-125.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 13
From: Pasadena, CA
With all of my cars, I've had bad luck with alignments. Rarely did I find someone who really knew what they were doing.
I'm not saying preemptive is a bad idea, but I would advise keeping a close eye on the tires for irregular wear first.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. In the wrong hands, and premptive alignment might screw things up.
I'm not saying preemptive is a bad idea, but I would advise keeping a close eye on the tires for irregular wear first.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. In the wrong hands, and premptive alignment might screw things up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 13
From: Pasadena, CA
Originally Posted by mlongo99
What do you mean by bad luck? Did they srcew up your cars?
And as far as those befroe and after computer print outs are concerned,
I really question them. Me thinks that it takes someone who really knows how to set up and calibrate the alignment machine, understand basic suspension geometry and be computer literate as well.
This was on my Nissan Maxima. I finally found a guy who got it right.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 301
From: Tucson Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
Good investment/peace of mind
Had mine done at Big O Tire (mid western and western states) for $59.95. They had the 2005 specs and did a professional job. (let me stay in shop). Caster was out of "specified range" on both front tires and toe out of range on right rear. Had 8K on my car and dealer would not do alignment on warranty past 7.5K. Noticing just the slightest unusual wear at the time.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,456
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From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Originally Posted by jim2092
Had mine done at Big O Tire (mid western and western states) for $59.95. They had the 2005 specs and did a professional job. (let me stay in shop). Caster was out of "specified range" on both front tires and toe out of range on right rear. Had 8K on my car and dealer would not do alignment on warranty past 7.5K. Noticing just the slightest unusual wear at the time.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by Jimbeaux
With all of my cars, I've had bad luck with alignments. Rarely did I find someone who really knew what they were doing.
I'm not saying preemptive is a bad idea, but I would advise keeping a close eye on the tires for irregular wear first.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. In the wrong hands, and premptive alignment might screw things up.
I'm not saying preemptive is a bad idea, but I would advise keeping a close eye on the tires for irregular wear first.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. In the wrong hands, and premptive alignment might screw things up.
I had an Infiniti J30 that needed new tires and they talked me into a four wheel alignment that I didn't need. When they finished my steering wheel was off. Many trip's back and they could not fix it. One trip to the dealer and $125 later it was fixed. So I spent over $200 and a lot of wasted time for nothing.
