Should I align my wheels when I get new tires?
A wheel alignment isn’t necessary when you have new tires installed, but it’s a really (like, really) good idea. An alignment helps ensure that all four tires are correctly angled with each other and the road. A wheel alignment can help you get more miles out of a new set of tires.
Can putting new tires on mess up alignment?
It doesn’t matter whether you get your alignment before or after having your new tires put on. Most experts agree that the only effect worn tires have on your alignment is a change to the vehicle’s ride height which, given today’s steering and suspension design, should be negligible.
Do you need an alignment after replacing drive shaft?
Yes. Anytime you disassemble and reassemble any parts of the suspension or connected components, you will need an alignment afterwards.
Do they remove wheels during alignment?
An alignment does not require removing the wheels. The equipment is attached to the wheels while they are in place.
How does tire / wheel size and alignment work?
Changing wheel size/offset will not affect the settings as they are, the wheels are aligned to the vehicle dependent upon the suspension design, which is in turn designed usually for a specific size and offset tire/rim combination and handling characteristics. Alignment adjustments may or may not compensate for the changes depending on the design.
Do you need a four wheel alignment for a car?
Yes, the majority of vehicles today (cars, small SUVs, and vans) require a four-wheel alignment. Some cars with solid rear axles can only have their front wheels aligned. But even in the case of two-wheel alignments, your technician can check the rear tires for damage that may compromise your car’s handling.
What happens when rear wheels are not aligned?
If a repair shop’s alignment equipment says the rear wheels are already aligned, a thrust-angle alignment uses the rear wheels to align the fronts. If the rears aren’t aligned, a four-wheel service is needed.
What happens when you add a wider tire?
When you add a wider tire you change the scrub radius and effectively soften the spring rate ( wheel rate) miniscule as it is. You also impact wheel bearing wear with wider offset wheels. The whole point of this is to warn you that you will change the handling , tire life and wheel bearing life. Who wants a wheel bearing seizing up at 50 mph?