05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

So there has been some very hot debates going on in my circle about whether to put new tires on before getting an alignment saying it will effect the alignment, then there is me and some other people saying that tires will have 0 effect on the alignment.

Does anyone have any proof which one is correct?

LeX2K

The guy that does my alignments told me iffy tires can cause issues, said he can get things into spec but when you swap tires you may have to do the alignment again. I trust his opinion the guy does excellent work.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

new tires doesnt change suspension geometry

Byprodrive

iTrader: (1)

unless you change tire size, if you change from worn out tire to new tire of same size it still raises ride height 1/2".

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

I am beginning to think that I need to put my new tires on then get the alignment done, especially since mine are worn at an angle.

I do not know there is there any alignment techs that can give there opinion I cant be the only person who has been wondering about this.

pman6

new tires shouldn't affect the way the tires are pointed. ?

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

ride height does not change with new tires. Distance from center of the wheel to the fender is still the same. Ground clearance changes slightly.

if you had unevenly worn tires and had to get new tires, you have to get an alignment because the alignment was bad, not because you got new tires.

mmarshall

It does, but only very slightly (a small fraction of an inch), because the missing, worn-away tread is replaced with new tires. And, in general, that will not affect the actual alignment of the tire.

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

I changed my suspension components to after market (figs lca bushing, and figs custom made front upper control arms.) Thats why I need an alignment, and thats what raised this question.

Stroock639

i'm no trained expert, but wouldn't you want to get the alignment right as you're putting on new tires? is there a reason why you'd want to align it before putting on new tires? i just feel like it's best to get the alignment on the actual tires that will be going on and not the old ones.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

you might as well finish everything before doing the alignment, but generally you dont need an alignment just because you got new tires.

Aron9000

Not sure of the question exactly. If your old tires are worn out due to miles, just put some new ones on it and save the $$$ on the alignment. If the car tracks straight down the road, the steering wheel isn't crooked, and you aren't experiencing any abnormal tire wear, you are wasting your $$$$ on an alignment.

If your tires have funny wear, ie outside edge, inside edge, etc, it could be your alignment, it could be something else in the suspension that is worn out(ball joint, etc). Replace your tires and have it looked over by a mechanic who does suspension work. If they have an alignment machine at their shop, that's a good sign that they're pretty adept at diagnosing/replacing worn suspension parts.

I know my regular mechanic doesn't have an alignment rack at his shop, he farms that out to a tire shop up the street. He specializes more in engine diagnostics, electrical problems, brake jobs, ie if its running funny, has some weird electrical problem, has that check engine light on, he's your man. Suspension work, alignments, he can do it but it isn't his specialty.

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

Ok to clarify to everyone my ls430 had almost -2.0 of negative camber in the front that was eating the inside of my tires and making them wear at an angle. There is almost 0 camber adjustability with the stock suspension. When I put my car away for winter storage the tires were way past the wear bars and needed to be replaced anyway so to eliminate this from happening again I installed camber correcting control arms from figs as well as there 90a poly lca bushing. I have new tires sitting in my garage that will be installed.

When installing the lca bushings it changes the suspension geometry due to them be solid and not fluid filled like the stock ones, also the adjustable camber arms change the suspension geometry also that is why I need an alignment.

So the parts are on its just a matter of whether to get an alignment with old tires or alignment with the new ones. Also I do all my own work to my car I have the tools and knowledge thanks to my father.

Aron9000

Dude, put the new tires on, then immediately get an alignment. You want everything to be set up, replaced, whatever before the alignment. If its going to have new tires with this alignment spec, make sure it has new tires on it when you put it on the alignment rack. Especially with all that aftermarket stuff, put new tires on, then align it within a couple hundred miles.

Johnhav430

The only reason I can think of is convenience, maybe new tires are going on Sat., and they could only do the alignment (or somewhere else) the Thu. before. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter. Do we need to realign our car because we put snow tires on (I mean with different rims, some mount/balance)? Of course we don't.

I have done 7 alignments in the last 2 years, over 3 cars. Once the car is aligned, barring suspension problems, nothing really changes. My wife has hit tons of potholes and went over a low curb, car goes on the alignment rack, and the only thing they adjusted since all was green, was steer ahead (lifetime alignments on 2 of the 3 cars). Might be overthinking this one....my .02