When to have the alignment done

[G.I.G.]

I've been wondering when people have the alignment done on their cars, specifically their 4R's. I've heard different schools of thought on this, but I would love to hear some feedback from the folks around here.

I just hit 20k miles on my 4R and had new tires put on. I've done some moderate 4-wheel'n occasionally but nothing extreme. The alignment still feels great. Would it be a waste of money to have my alignment done or would I potentially be saving money in the future by way of making my tires last longer? Just curious. My thoughts are to not have it done for a while longer, or until I can notice it coming out of alignment.

 

[Vizwar]

I do mine if it starts to pull and the road is flat, if i see uneven wear, and always if you buy new tires.

 

[Uneek]

When it doesn't go straight on a flat road after I let go of the steering wheel or when I see uneven tire wear during a rotation.

 

[004Gunner]

Anytime suspension components are changed an alignment should be done. I agree with the tire replacement too. Other than that, if I don't have uneven tread wear or feel a pull, I leave it alone.

 

[pickerdd]

I have the front wheels aligned every 10k miles.

 

[G.I.G.]

I have the front wheels aligned every 10k miles.

Wow, that seems a bit excessive to me. Do you drive over abnormally rough terrain on a regular basis? What are you being charged for alignment? Just curious. If I could find a place that did alignments for a reasonable price, I might have it done more often.

 

[pickerdd]

Oops, I should have written that I have the tires aligned every 15k miles, not 10k miles. Every 3rd oil change is when I have the tires aligned.

My driving is mostly city driving on Atlanta's not so wonderful streets as well as periodic trips such as my yearly trek out to a Kansas music festival pulling a travel trailer. More city driving and less highway driving than previous years.

It's probably more than necessary, but IMO regular maintenance not only includes being religious about changing the oil and filter, but also about balancing and rotating the tires and periodic alignments.

 

[icantsee]

When it doesn't go straight on a flat road after I let go of the steering wheel or when I see uneven tire wear during a rotation.

Same goes for me!!

I use to work at Wheel Works & our policy on the Alignment was that we had it on the Work Order that we will put the vehicle on the Alignment rack & see if it needs adjustments, if it does, we'll go ahead and do it, if it doesn't, meaning that it's in spec, we will take the vehicle down & give you that Alignment Inspection for free. No Charge.

I can't remember a time that we charged a Toyota truck or Toyota SUV an alignment charge, because they have solid rear axlex.

I really don't recall a time charging those owners an Alignment, it end up being free inspections.

I even had a returning customer...checked his Toyota Truck's alignment twice in different occassions & still didn't have to adjust it.

Our family use to have Hondas & Toyota Camry. FWD cars always have the toe pointing in, causing the outer edge of the tire wearing out unevenly. FWD Honda customers...were guarantee Alignment Profit!!

When I was at Wheel Works...I was super anal, even if it was in spec, I didn't care, I wanted it adjusted dead in the center. In spec means it's in the range, but doesn't mean it's dead center.

 

[Pribilof]

I have a lifetime alignment package from Firestone tire. As long as I own the truck I take it in every 6k miles, whether I think it needs an adjustment or not. It doesn't take long and the lifetime package is cheap.

 

[eskimochaos]

what does it truly mean to have it aligned, if you let go of the wheel it tracks straight on a flat road or if you hold the wheel dead center, it tracks perfectly straight?

I cant tell if my alignment is off or my car is just super sensitive to the curvature of the road as it seems I have to counteract the side of the road im on (left side turn wheel right a hair, left side turn wheel left a hair)

maybe im picky idk.

 

[Vizwar]

what does it truly mean to have it aligned, if you let go of the wheel it tracks straight on a flat road or if you hold the wheel dead center, it tracks perfectly straight?

I cant tell if my alignment is off or my car is just super sensitive to the curvature of the road as it seems I have to counteract the side of the road im on (left side turn wheel right a hair, left side turn wheel left a hair)

maybe im picky idk.

It's normal to have to compensate for the crown in the road but if you notice the wheel isn't straight on flat straight roads there could be a problem. Even if it doesn't pull.

I'm out right obsessive about my alignment.

Now if I could just figure out why every other tire rotation mine goes to crap I'll be happy...

 

[Jordan Petry]

I have mine done whenever I feel like it... I have Firestone's lifetime Alignments, :bigok: lol I can bring it in every other week if I want to.

 

[EH007]

When it doesn't go straight on a flat road after I let go of the steering wheel or when I see uneven tire wear during a rotation.

Same here.

 

[EH007]

It's normal to have to compensate for the crown in the road but if you notice the wheel isn't straight on flat straight roads there could be a problem. Even if it doesn't pull.

I'm out right obsessive about my alignment.

Now if I could just figure out why every other tire rotation mine goes to crap I'll be happy...

It's also true that most wheel alignment specifications already take road crown into consideration, so that the vehicle should track straight when it's on a crowned road. Of course the crown in roads vary, so the specs are fairly conservative.

 

[Antoddio]

I never have gotten an alignment unless i have had tie rod ends changed.

I think unless you have tie rod work or are experiencing pulling or strange tire wear it is a waste. I feel there is a greater chance of them screwing something up with frequent alignments than whatever can happen if I don't get it. So that being the case, I'll just save the money and time by skipping them.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[eskimochaos]

Sorry for the newb question but what do they adjust when you get an alignment? When you knock yourself out of alignment for any reason does something bend? How can adjusting something bring it back to normal?

I have hit some MONSTER pot holes and some high icy snow banks at speed and my alignment is still perfect.

 

[Uneek]

Sorry for the newb question but what do they adjust when you get an alignment? When you knock yourself out of alignment for any reason does something bend? How can adjusting something bring it back to normal?

I have hit some MONSTER pot holes and some high icy snow banks at speed and my alignment is still perfect.

The camber, caster and toe are adjustable on the front wheels. The rear axle is pretty much fixed. It's possible to bend something, but that usually throws the alignment way off. There's a limited range for which the adjustments of each can be made. If you take a look at the front end, the steering tie rods/links have adjustable ends, which can alter the toe angles. From behind the front wheels, looking at the lower control arm, the cam bolts also offers adjustment.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I align right after I purchase a vehicle new or used. Auto companies do not align vehicles when built. That is way to time consuming to do that. They know where to set all the adustments to cover the tolerances in the manufactoring process. Or another way to look at it is they set stuff so it won't pull and the wheel is straight(gm is good at that). Many new vehicles are out of spec right off the lot, however you won't notice a pull or even tire wear for that matter. Toyota's are generally pretty close. GM is usually way off. A friend of mine went through the stock tires in 12k because his new silverado was so far off. After I set the alignment on one of my vehicles I will usually go a year before I check it again unless I have done some rough off roading. It helps having access to an alignment rack that I don't have to pay for.

 

[jeober]

I wouldn't get an alignment unless you think there is an issue because of pulling or tire wear. Who knows how accurate a shop's machine is or how repeatable is it?

I agree some OEM alignments are terrible. But my 4runner is good and I'm not touching it - I'm at 110,000 miles with the original 5 tires.

 

[miggytalls]

Alignments

Industry standards will tell you to align your vehicle once a year which is prob the best thing to do...but for sure when you replace your tires. Also, if you wait until you see your tires have uneven wear then by then it's too late..an alignment won't correct the uneven wear on your tires. It'll prevent the uneven wear but only if done prior to the tires wearing.