Front end alignment
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 560
Likes: 86
From: Port St Lucie Florida
Front end alignment
When I get new tires installed do I need to get an alignment or is it just recommended? The cars seems to drive straight but it's a 2005 and has never had an alignment.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,629
All 4 tires, and if you only street drive non aggressively, then have the tech use the Pfad street specs. Hence even the factory alignment spec is for the more aggressive side and ends up wearing out the inside of the tires faster than the outside if you are not pushing the car on the more constant side.
Print the below link out and circle the street spec to hand to the alignment tech to hold these readings. Also, makes sure that the shop has a way to check the steering wheel sensor during alignment, and that it reads zero when they are hitting the button to print the read out of the final alignment.
http://www.pfadtracing.com/docs/camb...t-settings.pdf
P.S, to get all the numbers perfect, it takes about 45 mins (one adjustment will effect another), so unless your guy is very, very good and has done tons of vet alignments, it going to take him this long/why alignments on the vet tend to be higher in price instead.
Depending on the price they want to charge, you may be better off seeing if they have a life time alignment price instead (often less than $45 more instead, and can take the car down yearly to have them re-align it).
Print the below link out and circle the street spec to hand to the alignment tech to hold these readings. Also, makes sure that the shop has a way to check the steering wheel sensor during alignment, and that it reads zero when they are hitting the button to print the read out of the final alignment.
http://www.pfadtracing.com/docs/camb...t-settings.pdf
P.S, to get all the numbers perfect, it takes about 45 mins (one adjustment will effect another), so unless your guy is very, very good and has done tons of vet alignments, it going to take him this long/why alignments on the vet tend to be higher in price instead.
Depending on the price they want to charge, you may be better off seeing if they have a life time alignment price instead (often less than $45 more instead, and can take the car down yearly to have them re-align it).
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 560
Likes: 86
From: Port St Lucie Florida
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 560
Likes: 86
From: Port St Lucie Florida
All 4 tires, and if you only street drive non aggressively, then have the tech use the Pfad street specs. Hence even the factory alignment spec is for the more aggressive side and ends up wearing out the inside of the tires faster than the outside if you are not pushing the car on the more constant side.
Print the below link out and circle the street spec to hand to the alignment tech to hold these readings. Also, makes sure that the shop has a way to check the steering wheel sensor during alignment, and that it reads zero when they are hitting the button to print the read out of the final alignment.
http://www.pfadtracing.com/docs/camb...t-settings.pdf
P.S, to get all the numbers perfect, it takes about 45 mins (one adjustment will effect another), so unless your guy is very, very good and has done
tons of vet alignments, it going to take him this long/why alignments on the vet tend to be higher in price instead.
Depending on the price they want to charge, you may be better off seeing if they have a life time alignment price instead (often less than $45 more instead, and can take the car down yearly to have them re-align it).
Print the below link out and circle the street spec to hand to the alignment tech to hold these readings. Also, makes sure that the shop has a way to check the steering wheel sensor during alignment, and that it reads zero when they are hitting the button to print the read out of the final alignment.
http://www.pfadtracing.com/docs/camb...t-settings.pdf
P.S, to get all the numbers perfect, it takes about 45 mins (one adjustment will effect another), so unless your guy is very, very good and has done
tons of vet alignments, it going to take him this long/why alignments on the vet tend to be higher in price instead.
Depending on the price they want to charge, you may be better off seeing if they have a life time alignment price instead (often less than $45 more instead, and can take the car down yearly to have them re-align it).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,984
Likes: 380
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Usually most shops will give a free alignment check when you buy new tires or brakes. Of course, whether it's a legitimate check or is it a marketing deal for some unnecessary work?
Last edited by LowRyter; Apr 4, 2016 at 11:03 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 2,106
From: Left Coast, San Diego
I also had mine done this past Friday. I have had my tires (Firestone) for one year. When I bought the tires I also got a lifetime alignment using the pfadt street settings. Tires show NO ware so far. The technician (Marco) that did mine has been doing alignments for over 20 years. Took him 30 minutes to do mine.
Last edited by Vet Interested; Apr 4, 2016 at 12:01 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 809
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
Not necessarily so...
My 2003 Avalanche (purchased new) has never been aligned. I just put new tires on it because the OEM's were getting old. They were worn evenly all around...alignment not indicated or done. My 2011 CTS has 34K on it now and I just replaced the OEM's last month. They wore totally even all around, were never rotated and kept the factory balance perfectly...alignment not indicated or done. It depends on you driving habits and roads. The true test for "needing" an alignment is how the vehicle tracts and how the tires are wearing...not time or mileage in my opinion. You can have it "checked" if that makes you feel better.
My 2003 Avalanche (purchased new) has never been aligned. I just put new tires on it because the OEM's were getting old. They were worn evenly all around...alignment not indicated or done. My 2011 CTS has 34K on it now and I just replaced the OEM's last month. They wore totally even all around, were never rotated and kept the factory balance perfectly...alignment not indicated or done. It depends on you driving habits and roads. The true test for "needing" an alignment is how the vehicle tracts and how the tires are wearing...not time or mileage in my opinion. You can have it "checked" if that makes you feel better.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 2
From: Johns Creek Georgia
Don't fix what's not broken. If the tires wear smoothly, you're good. My first set wore on the RF inside. Realigned at high end shop when they installed my replacement set. Replacement set also wore on RF inside. Went to Firestone with fadt alignment on third set. Still RF wears on inside!
For the money I've spent on alignment not getting the car perfect I'm now just ignoring it - costs less
For the money I've spent on alignment not getting the car perfect I'm now just ignoring it - costs less
Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 334
Likes: 14
From: GA
Not necessarily so...
My 2003 Avalanche (purchased new) has never been aligned. I just put new tires on it because the OEM's were getting old. They were worn evenly all around...alignment not indicated or done. My 2011 CTS has 34K on it now and I just replaced the OEM's last month. They wore totally even all around, were never rotated and kept the factory balance perfectly...alignment not indicated or done. It depends on you driving habits and roads. The true test for "needing" an alignment is how the vehicle tracts and how the tires are wearing...not time or mileage in my opinion. You can have it "checked" if that makes you feel better.
My 2003 Avalanche (purchased new) has never been aligned. I just put new tires on it because the OEM's were getting old. They were worn evenly all around...alignment not indicated or done. My 2011 CTS has 34K on it now and I just replaced the OEM's last month. They wore totally even all around, were never rotated and kept the factory balance perfectly...alignment not indicated or done. It depends on you driving habits and roads. The true test for "needing" an alignment is how the vehicle tracts and how the tires are wearing...not time or mileage in my opinion. You can have it "checked" if that makes you feel better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 809
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
Please read my complete statement. On second thought ...never mind. Perfect, I'll PM you when I need anything mechanical diagnosed or surgery.