Front end alignment with new tires?
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,834
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From: Kzoo
Front end alignment with new tires?
So this question is coming a little late since I got the tires a while ago but when I got these new tires the guy at Discount Tire told me I needed to get a front end alignment when I had the new tires installed. Was he trying to sell me something I didn't need or do I really need to get one?
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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If you read the fine print on the tread wear warranty, most places require an alignment at the time of tire installation as well as alignment checks on a regular basis.
That being said, my personal belief is that tread wear warranties are a scam. Tire shops are like dealers when it comes to honoring warranties; they will do anything and everything to get out of it. It is very rare today for a car to wear the tires 100% perfectly even, even if the alignment is perfect. I have witnessed tire shops time and time again claim lack of rotation, bad alignment, improper tire pressure, or aggressive driving. I have seen them then check the alignment, and finding it in spec, will either alter the readings or go so far as to accuse the customer of having it aligned right before they came into the shop.
Just observations from "behind the battle lines."
That being said, my personal belief is that tread wear warranties are a scam. Tire shops are like dealers when it comes to honoring warranties; they will do anything and everything to get out of it. It is very rare today for a car to wear the tires 100% perfectly even, even if the alignment is perfect. I have witnessed tire shops time and time again claim lack of rotation, bad alignment, improper tire pressure, or aggressive driving. I have seen them then check the alignment, and finding it in spec, will either alter the readings or go so far as to accuse the customer of having it aligned right before they came into the shop.
Just observations from "behind the battle lines."
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
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From: Marion, VA
If your old tires are wearing evenly, you're wasting your time getting an alignment. They're just going to verify the alignment and charge you for doing nothing. The tire shops learned years ago that there is a sucker born every minute and many post on forums.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 80
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From: Lebanon,PA
I went ahead and bought the lifetime alignment from Firestone. I installed a level kit and had to get it done once anyway. Alignments in my area cost about $70 so paying $150 for lifetime wasn't a bad investment...
Now I can get it checked monthly if I wanted... no charge
Now I can get it checked monthly if I wanted... no charge
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New User
Joined: Oct 2010
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It may be worthwhile to purchase a lifetime alignment service if your vehicle is relatively new and you plan to keep it for its useful life. Keep in mind, though, that each alignment is an opportunity for the garage/company to sell you other services, such as brakes, tie rod ends, ball joints, etc. It is up to the honesty of the garage/company if you actually need these other services.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Bethlehem, PA
I just took my truck in for an alignment. The drivers side front was out a little, And they told me there was nothing to adjust from the factory. They said I had to purchase an adjustment bolt kit in order to correct it. I was kind of pissed because they charged me for an alignment knowing darn well they couldn't adjust it anyway.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 560
Likes: 3
From: 92592
I just took my truck in for an alignment. The drivers side front was out a little, And they told me there was nothing to adjust from the factory. They said I had to purchase an adjustment bolt kit in order to correct it. I was kind of pissed because they charged me for an alignment knowing darn well they couldn't adjust it anyway.
If so, they told you right but they should have told you before they put it on the rack IF you told them in advance about the lift work done.
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