minla007

i just got my ball joints and outer tie rods installed....i am desparately in need of an alignment now...i am also thinking about getting new rims.....my question is:

- should I get the alignment now and wait for the rims ? OR
- should i get the alignment done when i get my new rims put on?

im tryin to save a few bucks here, and i dont want to pay for 2 alignments....actually, does putting on new rims (19's vs. 18's) require an alignment?


anybody knwo of a good reputable alignment shop in VA that can accomodate lowered cars?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

well if you are getting new wheels soon, i would just wait. if you are getting wheels in another year, do alignment now first

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

You dont need an alignment after getting new rims. You usually get an alignment after suspension work because you changed the toe degree. In this case, changing rims wont affect how your toe sits.

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minla007

well hopefully i will be getting the rims within the next 2 weeks or so...but if changing rims out won't affect the alignment, i should prob just do the alignment now huh?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I dont think anyone on here has gotten an alignment, solely because of changing rims. When you think about it, putting on bigger rims doesn't affect suspension. The only change is the diameter of the wheel, and your suspension doesn't care if you have OEM 16s or 18s, as far as the toe goes.

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cliffud

iTrader: (3)

get the alignment now. if you don't, you'll screw up your tires while you wait and save for your new wheels. the feathering on your current tires will devalue them greatly and possibly make them unsellable if you choose to sell them in the future. Not only that but what if you don't like your new wheels and want to sell them? If your tires are in good condition now - it would be wise to keep them in good condition.

You have to get the alignment anyway, why wait and screw yourself over in the long run?

Also - when you get your wheels aligned, make sure it's a 4 wheel alignment. It's better for your car and there are too many shops out there that do it nowadays to NOT get it done... Should cost you approx $150 - if that.

Bill_GS3

When an alignment is done you adjust the suspension by mounting a sensor on the wheel. If you then change the wheel you should have the same suspension setup (nothing should change.) I would do it now, so you save the tires on there now and can enjoy the car till your new wheels are put on. But deffinetly like it was said do a FOUR wheel alignment, our rears have toe and camber adjustments.

-Bill

minla007

cool...thanks for all the help/info guys....its greatly appreciated......i will get the 4 wheel alignment done as soon as i can.....any special type of alignment equipment I should ask for? (like the hunter for balancing?)....just curious.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I would trust only Hunter for alignment system, but that's just me. I go to a place where they use the old method of whippin' out a measurement system and manually measuring the alignment by hand

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minla007

cool...just called a couple places...got some quotes....here are some prices:

- NTB - $99/1yr or $139/3yrs or $179/5yrs

- Sears - $64.99 (6mos/6k warranty)

- Just Tires - $99 (6mos/6k warranty)


how often should you get an alignment done? If it is atleast once per yr, then I think the NTB is the way to go ($139 for 3yrs - as many alignments as you want). Sears is pretty darn cheap, but for double the price at NTB, I get 3yr warranty instead of just 6mos.....hmmmmm

What do you guys suggest? how often do you guys get alignments? once per yr or anytime you hit a big *** pothole or whenever u get suspension work done?

HoracioGS4

I don't know if there is a Firestone in your area, but I bought unlimited alignments for the life of my vehicle for around $140.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Man, if I can get unlimited alignments, the guys at the shop would see my car every 2 weeks

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minla007

word, we do have a firestone and i asked about the lifetime alignments....$150 !!.....and htey have a hunter machine too...pretty schweet...i guess ill bring it to firestone


thanks for the tip horacio - btw, u still intersted in my stock body pieces? the local guy that was gonna buy them never replied to me - he flaked out big time.

BC-GS430

I agree, go ahead and get the alignment before the rims.

mttinhy

plus it's lift time so you can do it again when you get the wheels