When to get an alignment?

Cindy H · 04-02-03, 02:29

I was looking through my manufacturer's service manual, and it doesn't say anything on the schedule about getting alignments. So I was wondering, is there a regular interval in which we should get alignments as a preventative maintenance, or is it something that should be done only when really needed? I've hit several big potholes and gone off a steep curb (not my fault) recently, and it makes me wonder if I should get an alignment. The car tracks straight and doesn't drive any differently though.

Shiny Lil Detlr · 04-02-03, 02:36

as long as the car feels fine you typically don't need to worry about an allignment. I would say allignments are only really needed if there is a noticeable driveability problem, or if/when you get new tires, and maybe when you get other suspension work done (that part is totally optional unless the caster/camber settings are messed with during the install)

4DSC · 04-02-03, 03:48

I think as long as the car doesn't pull to one side, corner strangely or differently left to right, or show uneven tire wear or wear patterns (watch your tires) then I wouldn't worry about getting the suspension inspected. If I recall right, bounding over curbs and hitting huge road craters generally should not throw out your alignment unless you bend or break something....

Spilchy · 04-02-03, 04:27

Alignments are not done for preventitive maintenance. However, usually on most cars, the 30,000 mile service includes an alignment.

Find the most smooth even surface you can find (like a highway) and take your hands off the wheel. Your car should drive in a straight line for a considerable distance. It will likely start to veer off after a bit (it's inevitable due to the fact that no surface is truly flat).

If the car immediately veers off to the left or right, then you should consider an alignment. Also, if you feel knocking on the steering wheel when you drive, consider an alignment.

When you get new tires, definately get an alignment.

Also, keep your tires at the proper pressure.

It should run around $49.95. Check your local papers. I know I always see advertisement specials for services including alignments.

I have low profile Z rated tires on 17" rims and get an alignment every time I rotate my tires (every 7000 miles). I know I said it isn't done preventively, but I'm just a nut!

medic · 04-02-03, 05:07

firestone (atleast in my area) has lifetime alignments for $149. You just take the car there whenever you need/want to get an alignment and they will do it.

It's pretty nice, but you have to cough up the $149 initially. I guess they figure when you have other issues you will come to them to fix it.

Lost Pup · 04-02-03, 05:16

I would also carefully inspect the tire for the correct/incorrect wear patterns. A good indication of alignment correctness.

FocusRun · 04-02-03, 06:51

Wait a minute... I thought when your car pulls to one side it might need wheel balancing instead of alignment..

Do you have to do both wheel alignment and balancing? When do you need wheel balancing?

Pecs_McCoy · 04-02-03, 06:55

Balance your tires when you feel a shimmy, you can feel this in the steering wheel. Especially a shimmy at certain speeds but not at other speeds. The weights you see on your wheels could have loosened and shifted.

Shiny Lil Detlr · 04-02-03, 07:20

also they will re-balance the tires every time you rotate them... another thing about when you feel a shimmy is to check and make sure the left-to-right tire pressures are equal (don't run 32PSI in the left front and 34PSI in the right front, or similarly in the rears, etc.) because that can throw off the handling just as much.

Its one thing to adjust front-to-back pressures, but NEVER left-to-right. If you have a problem that this corrects, just go get a re-balance and/or allignment.... using tire pressures is just cheating that may hurt you in the long run.

APT · 04-03-03, 06:34

Quote:

Originally posted by 4DSC
I think as long as the car doesn't pull to one side, corner strangely or differently left to right, or show uneven tire wear or wear patterns (watch your tires) then I wouldn't worry about getting the suspension inspected.

This is all. Many places offer to check your alignment for free, but if it needs adjustment will do so at a nominal charge ($40-60 typical). If the tires are wearing correctly (I check mine every time I rotate the tires), the steering wheel is straight and the car does not pull to one side or the other, there is no reason to have the alignment checked at specific periods.

As mentioned, if you replace certain suspension parts, an alignment is required.