New tires, need alignment???

At the shop getting my 265/75/16 Hankooks mounted on stock wheels and stock suspension. Shop is suggesting an alignment... Why would I need that?? Alignment is fine and didn't think tires would effect that.

 

I wouldn't think you need an alignment with a stock setup. Sounds like the shop is fishing for $$$

 

That's what I figure. Still here, so not going to do it.

 

Yeah! Right after I find the post holes and board stretcher too!!

 

It may be possible if your old tires were never rotated and had really unevn wear, that might cause the alignment to change too.

 

It's always a good idea to get an alignment after getting new tires. You wouldn't want to ruin ur new tires in 10k miles just because you didnt wanna spend the extra $80 for an alignment. Every time I recommend tires on a car at work, I recommend an alignment. It's not because I know the alignment is out, it's just to cover my own ass. What if I didn't recommend the alignment, and you came back a couple months later with uneven wear on ur brand new tires? You'd blame the shop and want new tires. I always have an alignment done after new tires. Always.

 

An Alignment is cheaper than replacing tires.

 

General consensus (and what we always do) is when getting new tires always get an alignment. It may seem fine but so many things can be off that can't be seen or felt.

Years ago I had an altima that I had a year alignment on. Never ran over a curb or anything, got it aligned with new tires. Since I had to do the year alignment I made a note to go back just before it expired, guess what, most settings were out. All was green when I left, when I came back less than a year later most were red and out of whack. Got it all adjusted and am good. Steering wheel wasn't out of whack or anything, just toe, caster and cradle were out if I recall. Really opened my eyes. Spend a few bucks, get the alignment. Could save your tires thousands of miles...

As styx said too it is documented then, if the tires have a mileage warranty it is easier to get that warrantied or pro-rated since you had an alignment and if you have them rotated regularly, makes it difficult for the tire manufacturer or dealer to deny you a claim if they come up short of the warranty rating.

Tyler

 

Those accusing the shop of trolling may be right. Or not.

The question(s) you should be asked (or answering for yourself) are things like............

How many miles has it been since the last alignment?

If the miles are low, what conditions have you been driving in? Lots of potholes? Off road rumble roads? Off road 'adventures'?

Any wear indicators from the old tires that might hint at a problem? Inner or outer edge wear, feathering, cupping, etc?

Any drivability issues? Did it trammel? Drift L or R on a flat road? Is the steering wheel centered when the truck is going straight?

Does the truck seem twitchy (overly sensitive) to steering inputs? Does the truck seem sluggish (move the wheel more than expected to respond)?

If it's been more than 10k since the last alignment, or any question has a yes answer, get the alignment.

 

While most of these things are good to think about, from the shops perspective, they don't know what the vehicles history is or what kind of conditions it's been driven in. Most people don't get an alignment when their tires are nearly in need of replacement so chances are it's been way more than 10k since last alignment if it's getting new tires. So 99.9% of the time they'll recommend an alignment.

 

I understand. And as a shop owner/installer I'd be recommending it too, as you say in an earlier post, to cover myself/the shop.

However, if the individual had an inclination of being car savvy, I'd just ask the questions.

If they still declined, I'd just have them sign a waiver on alignment related wear.

 

Appreciate all the responses. Turned out the tech agreed after new tires were on and they checked alignment. Didn't need it.

 

I got tires slightly larger than stock and specifically asked the tech at Discount Tire if I should get an alignment. He said I shouldn't need one for just getting tires but the truck only had about 6K miles on it.

 

I'm glad they checked it for you at no charge. Decent thing to do.

Last note for those reading.

Wheels and tires have nothing to do with the alignment. You can put the vehicle on jackstands and align it.

Meaning you can have one style of combo on the vehicle, and change to a different style (winters?) and the alignment is not affected.

 

Getting ready to go from 17X7.5" stock wheel running LT265/70R17 to a 16X8" wheel running LT265/75R16. Dealership said I should get an alignment but it was just aligned 4 or 5 months ago and less than 2,000 miles. Based on the comment above and throughout this thread, I should be fine right?

Don't mean to jack the OP's thread, just thought would be a good opportunity to piggy back as opposed to creating a new, unnecessary thread. Thanks in advance!

 

I'm having Dura Tracs mounted on my truck later this week. I have chosen to get an alignment. I've had it aligned once in the past 11 years, so I curious as to its condition. I do occasionally get small vibrations under certain road conditions & speeds. I'm buying a 3 year alignment plan so I can tinker with the suspension over the next couple years.

Self alignments are not as simple as some believe. I have longacra tools to work on the car in my avatar. Not necassarily a simple task.