Tire Alignment Question

[BunsbertMontcroff]

Just got a set of Destination A/Ts put on my 4runner (they're pretty sweet - very "nimble"), and while at the Firestone the tech told me the tires were out of alignment. I've only had the 4runner for about 3 months, and am a bit skeptical - maybe they were just trying to upsell me on an additional service.

In any case, the alignment issue was that my left front tire's toe was at +.47 and the right front tire's toe at -.27

I think (?) toe refers to the direction the tires are pointing relative to the front axle, so the left tire is pointing in slightly while the right tire is pointing out. That being said, I don't know how to evaluate those numbers. Do those numbers mean that the alignment way out of whack? Or is it normal enough or within some limits?

Will definitely bring it up at my 5,000 mile Toyota Care service, but I don't know if this is serious enough to try to take care of now.

 

[harper7]

Just got a set of Destination A/Ts put on my 4runner (they're pretty sweet - very "nimble"), and while at the Firestone the tech told me the tires were out of alignment. I've only had the 4runner for about 3 months, and am a bit skeptical - maybe they were just trying to upsell me on an additional service.

In any case, the alignment issue was that my left front tire's toe was at +.47 and the right front tire's toe at -.27

I think (?) toe refers to the direction the tires are pointing relative to the front axle, so the left tire is pointing in slightly while the right tire is pointing out. That being said, I don't know how to evaluate those numbers. Do those numbers mean that the alignment way out of whack? Or is it normal enough or within some limits?

Will definitely bring it up at my 5,000 mile Toyota Care service, but I don't know if this is serious enough to try to take care of now.

That toe is actually pretty far out of alignment. Kind of strange that they would even be checking your alignment when getting new tires??? I mean they have to set it up and stuff.Unless the old tires were showing major wear or they were trying to get some more money off of you.Naw, they wouldn't do that,never mind!

I'd probably take it back to your dealer and tell them the specs they gave you. Does it drive straight down the road or pull to one side?According to that it should be pulling to the right.Did the old tires show abnormal wear? Is the steering wheel straight when going straight?

Here's from one of my alignments showing what it's supposed to be and where mine was after a lift.
You can see the tires are supposed to toe in when lifting after I eyeballed the camber/caster settings.

 

[1traildriver]

Interesting....when I got my new tires at Firestone they said the same thing, and showed me the allignment specs. They claimed it was because I went with a 275 size tire but it wasn't that far out allignment. I opted not to get it done since I was planning to lift the truck and would have it done then (which will be Tuesday). I don't remember what the specs were at the time, but the truck doesn't pull either way and I have not noticed any abnormal wear on the tires.

Also have experienced some shake, as though the balance was off, and they again said that was due to the allignment being off. Not sure if that would contribute.

 

[rangermenace]

I boguht Deulers at Firestone and the driver side was wearing on inner side pretty bad so had the Alignment done only $69. When the guy checked at the counter he said something about how the front dips from the back that it was little off and asked if it ever was in a accident. I said no it was bought brand new but he said they came come this way from the plant. He said it's not going to hurt the tires or anything but i didn't get the receipt with the specs sheet, wonder why . It pulled to one side little when driving but haven't tired it yet with the new tires but drives so much nicer now :thumb3:.

 

[deekoi]

I have destination A/T also and they didn't say that for me but I've found that these tires take a bit more time to wear evenly. Every time I had a tire rotation, it would take at least a couple weeks to balance out. It would slightly pull to the left or right.