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Alignment Question

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Old Jul 2, 2007 | 01:41 PM
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Default Alignment Question

I have a question for those of you who are familiar with doing alignments. When replacing tires, should an alignment be performed: before installing the new rubber or with the new rubber in place? or maybe it doesn't make any difference?
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Old Jul 2, 2007 | 03:25 PM
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It really shouldn't matter; you're aligning the wheels, not the tires. But you or your alignment guy can learn something from the wear pattern on the old tires which might affect how you align it.
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Old Jul 2, 2007 | 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Buffy
It really shouldn't matter; you're aligning the wheels, not the tires. But you or your alignment guy can learn something from the wear pattern on the old tires which might affect how you align it.
That was my thought too, as I was leaning in the direction of doing the alignment with the old rubber still there to look at.
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Old Jul 2, 2007 | 06:16 PM
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The long time accepted method is to do the alignment after the new tires are installed. You can tell the tech the condition of the old tires if you need to emphasize something.
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 08:17 AM
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If you were happy with the way your old tires wore there is no sense in doing an alignment. A waste of money. I have not had an alignment done on any of my vehicles in the last 25 years.
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by dave pawlowski
If you were happy with the way your old tires wore there is no sense in doing an alignment. A waste of money. I have not had an alignment done on any of my vehicles in the last 25 years.
The only time I get an alignment is when I see uneven wear. Was almost always toe on my F-bodies--too negative, wore the outer edges. With the Vette, and irs, need to carefully look at all 4. If even wear, save the money.
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Old Jul 3, 2007 | 01:05 PM
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I am seeing outer edge wear on the fronts which makes me think that there isn't enough negative camber; either that or too much hard cornering, but I can't say that I do a lot of agressive corners. Anyway, I felt that before new rubber was put on, an alignment should be done.
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Old Jul 4, 2007 | 07:13 PM
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If the tires are wearing correctly and the car tracks straight when you take your hands off the steering wheel then no alignment is needed IMO.
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I did a different alignment for better feel and handling. Mission accomplished.
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