Alignment Before or After New Tires?
05-15-2013, 09:06 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
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Alignment Before or After New Tires?
What says CF? I planned on getting an alignment after I put on new tires but due to my schedule it would be more convenient to get the alignment first. Any harm in doing the alignment first?
05-15-2013, 09:09 AM
#3
But I defer to wiser, more experienced folks.
05-15-2013, 09:42 AM
#10
Pro
I have a different answer: Neither. Unless you have uneven tire wear or the car doesn't track well (straight) an alignment is unnecessary and may very well be worse than the alignment you currently have. Unless you have a tire wear issue or drivability issues, skip the alignment.
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dh88 (02-18-2020)
05-15-2013, 09:44 AM
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I would do it after but it probably doesn't matter.
05-15-2013, 10:22 AM
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Always after installations of new tires.
05-15-2013, 10:27 AM
#15
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I had mine done at the same time, they installed the tires then moved over to the alignment bay.
Personally, I don't think it would matter if you are just going to wait a few days. I would probably have the new tires put on first, though...
Personally, I don't think it would matter if you are just going to wait a few days. I would probably have the new tires put on first, though...
05-15-2013, 10:33 AM
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St. Jude Donor '13
I'd do it after the new tires, but not immediately after. Maybe 50 miles or so. They will have the car lifted for the tire install, and it might take a few miles for the suspension to return to it's normal position.
When we adjusted our suspension upward a little using the spring bolts, it took about 200 miles for everything to settle to a final position. I know that's not the same thing, but you get the idea.
When we adjusted our suspension upward a little using the spring bolts, it took about 200 miles for everything to settle to a final position. I know that's not the same thing, but you get the idea.
05-15-2013, 10:50 AM
#17
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I'd go with the above, but Gearhead is not incorrect. If I'm the only one, there is no reason not to get an alignment DURING the time you own your tires, too. At anywhere from $800-$2,000 per set, I see nothing wrong with understanding that just one slight off-angle bump can begin to put your alignment "yesterday" or last year, OUT of alignment. But, most will wait "until they get new tires." it's your car, ymmv
05-15-2013, 11:42 AM
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St. Jude Donor '13
Alignment "durability" is an interesting issue.
We had our C6 aligned last year, with a printout.
We drove about 10k miles, and hit a couple of rocks with both right wheels, that had bounced onto the pavement on the Blue Ridge Parkway (cut the sidewall on the RR tire) last month.
After we replaced the tires and drove home, I had the alignment checked. All of the numbers were unchanged, except those two right wheels that had hit the rocks.
Right front was now out of spec with excessive toe-out
Right rear was now out of spec with excessive toe-in.
Wheels themselves were undamaged.
Had everything corrected, of course.
We had our C6 aligned last year, with a printout.
We drove about 10k miles, and hit a couple of rocks with both right wheels, that had bounced onto the pavement on the Blue Ridge Parkway (cut the sidewall on the RR tire) last month.
After we replaced the tires and drove home, I had the alignment checked. All of the numbers were unchanged, except those two right wheels that had hit the rocks.
Right front was now out of spec with excessive toe-out
Right rear was now out of spec with excessive toe-in.
Wheels themselves were undamaged.
Had everything corrected, of course.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; 05-15-2013 at 11:45 AM.
05-15-2013, 12:01 PM
#20
Melting Slicks
With new tires............