Is an alignment needed?

I'm getting ready to put new tires on my 22 SR5. I am going back with the stock 245/70/16. The truck drives great with no pulling, drifting, vibrations or bad tire wear. I know they will tell me an alignment is needed with new tires. I'm afraid they might cause issues that I don't have now. The truck is totally stock. What do you think?

 

An alignment helps your vehicle, it certainly won't hurt anything. If anything it's cheap insurance for your new tires, especially if you are changing sizes, along with regular tire rotations.

 

Changing tires would not affect your alignment. I wouldn’t do it if there’s no existing issue.

 

Ya if you have no concern of pulling or off centre steering wheel or abnormal tire wear then I wouldn't touch the alignment

 

You know, if I'm getting new tires and it has been forever and and a day since the last alignment check, then I have it done. Otherwise I say no thanks when suggested if I was having no issues.

 

Doing an alignment will also exercise the camber/caster bolts which tend to seize up over time bc Toyota doesn't put any anti-seize on them.

 

Tires are expensive...
If you have no idea when it was done last, wouldnt hurt.....

 

Thanks for all the replies. I think in this case I will be reactive instead of proactive. I'll run the tires for a while without an alignment. If there is any undesirable wear I will take it in. That was the alignment shop can see the wear and adjust accordingly. Thanks again.

 

Keep in mind the hubs are what is being aligned.

Wheels / tires just mirror the results

 

Tire size change alone does not really dictate doing anything to the alignment at all. So there is no real reason to touch it.

Also, stock tire size is 245/75, not 245/70, so you might want to be sure of that so you don't end up with a funny looking extra small tire.

 

Noted. Thank you!

 

Just make sure they don't let Brian do it...

 

It should at least be checked, but no one seems to do checks anymore and there is nothing more hilarious than a shop telling you they are doing a 4 wheel alignment on a read solid axle vehicle, but that is what they do. $100 or so is money well spent considering the cost to tires.

 

Just for clarity, a 4 wheel alignment just simply means they're using the rear wheels for reference to the front wheels. Only really a factor with setting toe to ensure if the ass end is a little skewed the steering wheel should come out straight since that'll be factored in. It doesn't mean necessarily that all four wheels are adjusted for alignment

 

When was the last time the truck had an alignment?

My wife's Elantra had all 4 tires replaced within the last year or so...since they had to do weight/balance per tire, I had them do alignment.

Considering the cost of 4 new tires, it was definitely a must.

You don't have to but since this is a big expense...pay once, cry once! lol

Seriously, do what you feel is best.

 

If the current tires have worn evenly (not more worn on the inside of the tread vs outside, or vice-versa), the truck doesn't drift one way or the other, tracks straight without wandering, all components underneath are tight, I wouldn't bother with an alignment myself.

 

The alignment shop I went to last month didn't charge me anything to check the alignment. If it needs an alignment then they charge.

I would get it checked by a reputable shop and not wait for potential problems to arise. Tires are expensive.

 

I changed my 2020's stock tires after one year. Had A/T's installed one tire size up. Been almost 4 years with the new A/T tires and no issues without an alignment. The A/T's are wearing even. However, this time round when I replace these current A/T's this fall I'm going to my local Tacoma specialty shop to have an an alignment after the tires are installed. Especially since I may go to a 32" or a 33" skinny. Also, interested in the cam tabs being welded and the LCA bolts being treated with anti-seize along with any other issue they may identify. May also get the 5100's and an add a leaf at the same time. May end up with a small lift too.

 

Absolutely negative. Rear toe and camber are adjustable on most IFS vehicles. That is a 4 wheel alignment. You do not need to measure the rear to adjust the front. You know nothing about alignments. Steering wheel is centered by the adjustment of tie rods left and right.

What you are trying to reference is a thrust angle, which again is not adjustable and is purely information only. Vehicles with excessive thrust angles will dog walk down the road, but still go straight. Stop drinking the Kool aid they are giving you at the shop to justify the price.

 

I never have an alignment done unless I have uneven wear, the truck is not tracking straight or my steering wheel is not nice and straight. JMO