Did I get taken for a ride?

[LSUMBA]

I have put 20,000 miles on my 2006 T4R in the first year. I bring the truck in every 5,000 miles for service including oil change , tire rotation, etc. At my 15k checkup, they rotated, but did not balance the tires. That was my fault as I meant to have them do both, but forgot to ask for it.

So I go in last weekend to have them do the 20k service. As soon as I get there, my normal service rep is not in. A guy I have never dealt with before walks up to start the service. He tells me that he noticed some "feathering" on my tires and recommended that I get a 4 wheel alignment in addition to the oil change and tire balance/rotation. I am pretty trusting of this place, so I agree. Then I started thinking about it. I have never heard of "feathering" on tires & my truck handled just fine before I brought it in. I did not have any drift issues which usually indicate an alignment problem.

So did I get taken for a ride? Is it really necessary to have the vehicle re-aligned every 15-20,000 miles? And what the hell is "feathering" on the tires?

 

[dingo]

Maybe I'm reading too much into what the service writer said - 4 wheel alignment. Last time I checked we have a live rear axle.

Anyway, a picture better explains the feather pattern.

 

[oh6SR5]

On that note, how often does everyone get an alignment with normal driving?

 

[Jeff Kleb]

On that note, how often does everyone get an alignment with normal driving?

I have a 2002 Nissan Sentra with 85,000 miles; and I have yet to get an alignment done. It steers straight and the tires are wearing evenly.

I have had other cars that seem to need it done about every 60k or so. Every vehicle is different and no two drivers are the same, so there is not a hard and fast "answer" to when it should be done. Of course, road conditions play a role as well.

 

[Uneek]

There isn't a 4-wheel available with our 4Runners, it's a solid rear axle setup. If the truck dogtracks, it's a trip to a frame straighten shop.

My daily driver has almost 120k and it's had an alignment done at 30k and new tires at 36k. Never had uneven wear with the second set of tires that was replaced at 105k. Current tires are wearing evenly.

Our old '90 Toyota truck never had an alignment either, went through three sets of tires, all with even wear. We sold it at 97k.

 

[LSUMBA]

I don't know how this applies to the whole 4 wheel alignment debate, but my truck is a 4WD. I don't know enough about alignments to know how they work, I am simply stating what was on the service invoice.

Sounds like the consensus is that I likely got scammed. It bothers me a bit, but not as much as if it was some $600 service job that was unnecessary. In the future, if they try to sell me on an alignment (the guy said it is recommended every 15k miles!) I will tell them to stick it until I actually can feel the car pulling or I can see the tires wearing unevenly.

 

[Northof49]

Doesn't sound unreasonble, provided the problem exists. Alignment can be out for a wide range of reasons; if it's out, it's out. It doesn't make 2 shits of difference if everyone's uncle went 329,450miles on 1 set of tires with no alignment.

Feathering
Feathering is a condition when the edge of each tread rib develops a slightly rounded edge on one side and a sharp edge on the other. By running your hand over the tire, you can usually feel the sharper edges before you'll be able to see them. The most common cause of feathering is incorrect toe-in setting, which can be cured by having It set correctly. Occasionally toe-in will be set correctly and this wear pattern still occurs. This is usually due to deteriorated bushings in the front suspension, causing the wheel alignment to shift as the car moves down the road.

 

[LSUMBA]

Doesn't sound unreasonable, provided the problem exists. Alignment can be out for a wide range of reasons; if it's out, it's out. It doesn't make 2 shits of difference if everyone's uncle went 329,450miles on 1 set of tires with no alignment.

After seeing the diagrams about feathering, I went out & felt my tires. They look evenly worn and feel as smooth as a baby's ass. I don't think the feathering would have smoothed itself out in a matter of 5 days with the new alignment.

I will continue to bring my truck in to this dealer service shop. They have been the best place I have found in Atlanta and they have serviced my Toyota vehicles for the last 5 years. This is the first "questionable" service they have performed. I am also writing it off as a fact that the service rep I spoke with was not my regular service rep who I have a very good relationship with.

The main takeaway from this is if your service rep (whether it is a dealer service shop or a 3rd party service shop) suggests something that makes you wrinkle your forehead, question them about it. Make them show you why they think you need the service, and don't be afraid to say "let's hold off & maybe check back on it at a later time." Then go get a second opinion or read up on the problem a bit more. Hell, this place is probably one of the best resources out there for questions like this.

 

[Northof49]

After seeing the diagrams about feathering, I went out & felt my tires. They look evenly worn and feel as smooth as a baby's ass. I don't think the feathering would have smoothed itself out in a matter of 5 days with the new alignment.

No definetly would not correct itself that quickly lol. If your tires look a-ok, then I would question exactly what he was talking about. Bring it back and ask the guy to show you what he's talking about. If he can't.....:bash:

 

[G.I.G.]

It sounds like more of an "up-sell" if you ask me. That is one of those gray areas where he probably didn't completely scam you, but everyone has a differing opinion on having the alignment done.

Sure, you could have your alignment done every 5k miles, but you probably wouldn't benefit from it. My personal opinion on alignment is to have it done when I get new tires and if I feel/see a problem with my tires pulling or wearing unevenly. If you don't do a lot of heavy off-roading, your car drives normally without pulling in either direction, and your tires are wearing evenly, I would say save your money.

You could always go back to your dealer and question the necissity to have the alignment done. Since you have been going there for a while they might be willing to work with you.

Hope that helps, good luck!

 

[pipspeak]

Take the car back and tell them that first of all it's not possible to do a 4-wheel alignment and secondly that you cannot see any uneven wear on the tires. Take it to your normal service rep and tell him you got a second opinion and think their work was unreasonable. If the shop is worth its salt, they'll at least refund you part of the money. That strategy has worked with me before.

As others have said, front wheel alignment can go our for any number of reasons, from worn components to hitting a large bumb or curb. Some people will be lucky and never have to have their wheels aligned.

 

[veloindy]

Doesn't tire feathering usually happen on sports cars? I've never heard of this happening on trucks.

 

[Briz65]

LSUMBA
I'm up in the Buford area. Where do you take your Truck to? I've had a great experience with the dealership up here at the Mall of GA. The guy I normally deal with is great. Young kid in his 20's. I'm in the market to get some 265/70/17 fo my truck. they have a buy 3 get 1 free, with a free balance and rotation for the life of the tires. Anyway, I work downtown maybe we could get together and drool over our trucks someday :bigok: and tip a few:beer:
MSG Briz

 

[mrwebb]

I agree with pipspeak. If you feel it was unneccesary or unwarranted I would discuss it with my normal service writer or the service manager. If they cannot show you why it was neccesary I would request the price of the alignment be refunded or credited on the next service. If you're a regular customer hopefully they will value your patronage over the price of an alignment, which couldn't cost them a lot of time or labor. Good luck!