Alignment

Subject: Alignment 10/23/2009, 9:38 pm

I'm starting to think my front end alignment is off since the outer edge of the tire tread is starting to feather. Does the warranty cover alignment? no huh? The service rep told me an alignment was done earlier this year on the truck (I had bought the truck used with less than 12k miles on it).

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/24/2009, 3:35 pm

Warranty will not cover alignment but to save eating your tires invest in it.

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/26/2009, 1:22 pm

Yea a good alignment is worth the money

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/26/2009, 5:07 pm

I've had bad news from Discount today. They say they have a helluva time balancing those "damn Tundras" when we get aftermarket wheels. What's been anyone else's experience with balancing and alignments? I know EVOL had to take his back a few times to get the alignment correct after installing shocks.....but never heard anything about balancing and vibration issues.

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/26/2009, 7:19 pm

It's their job to balance the wheels/tires....make them get it right. They got mine right on the first try....but they bitched about the 12 allen screws on each tire they had to remove! hahah

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/26/2009, 7:21 pm

Where is everyone getting there alignment done at? Cheapest place they can find? I have a Brake Check just behind me Alignment Icon_biggrin

Tee, I'm not sure how a wheel being on a Tundra like any other vehicle would affect the balancing of a tire. sounds like an Operator error to me.

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/26/2009, 7:25 pm

Check Precision Muffler in La Porte usually the cheapest around and they do an excellent job

they won't try to sell you a bunch of crap like a lot of places will eg Brake Check

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/26/2009, 8:07 pm

TXTee wrote:: I've had bad news from Discount today. They say they have a helluva time balancing those "damn Tundras" when we get aftermarket wheels. What's been anyone else's experience with balancing and alignments? I know EVOL had to take his back a few times to get the alignment correct after installing shocks.....but never heard anything about balancing and vibration issues.

Like Brad said, it's their job. I haven't had any trouble with them. Of course I know some people that work at the one I go to so they get me right in and out. I will say this though, a lot of getting them balanced right and balanced good depends on the tire you go with. It is much harder to balance a cheaper design than to balance a really good tire. From my experience, it has been easier to balance my Toyo Open Country M/T's than to balance the Nitto Mud Grapplers that I had before.

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/26/2009, 10:02 pm

Pretty much what I suspected with the balancing - they have to do it til they get it right. I didn't understand why it would be anymore difficult for the Tundra than another vehicle. That one missing lug that big a deal? LOL

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/26/2009, 11:24 pm

I read somewhere that our wheels aftermarket or not require an adapter on the balancing machine. It has something to do with being lug centric and not hub centric if i remember correctly

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/27/2009, 3:04 pm

wacked wrote:: I read somewhere that our wheels aftermarket or not require an adapter on the balancing machine. It has something to do with being lug centric and not hub centric if i remember correctly

He mentioned something about hub vs. lug but you know my mind is muddled with all these different tire sizes, wheel options, lift info, backspacing, offset...WHOA dammit! Brain overload. I should be a 4-Wheelin Diva by the time I get it all done. Hmmm 4x4 DIVA might have to be my new personalized plates now that there are 7 digits.

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/28/2009, 10:55 am

Hahaha... That's a good one T! Just wanted to throw this out there because I couldn't remember if it had already been brought up... Before you get an alignment make sure that your wheels and tires are properly balanced. It may not make a difference on our newer trucks but I know that it is possible for unbalanced tires and wheels to slowly throw off your newly aligned truck. Be a waste of money to get that done and then have to start all over again.

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/28/2009, 11:56 am

I use NTB bc hardly no one can align or balance 37s. I got a 4 wheel alignment done cost me 75 bucks for the 6 month warranty.......

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/28/2009, 2:42 pm

What about Firestone Lifetime alignment service, is their a reason why nobody has mentioned them? My old truck would go in for an alignment ever few months after tearing it up at Spring Creek

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/28/2009, 3:06 pm

never heard of that

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/28/2009, 4:12 pm

Shawn wrote:: I use NTB bc hardly no one can align or balance 37s. I got a 4 wheel alignment done cost me 75 bucks for the 6 month warranty.......

I must have an old school NTB here... They said they can't even do 35's... Don't they understand they could make more money if they could do bigger tires.

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/29/2009, 2:53 pm

I've used Firestone's Liftetime alignment in the past for my old Civic and Pathfinder. It was worth it since I needed alignments frequently. I think it's around $115 for the lifetime but that was a few years ago. I'm not sure if anyone else offers lifetime alignments.

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/29/2009, 3:56 pm

My tires will be coming from one place and the alignment will be done at the suspension shop. Let's just hope they can balance it properly b/c I have no way of telling. Good tips on lifetime plans.....

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/29/2009, 4:06 pm

Trust me, you'll be able to tell if you're tires are properly balanced or not.

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/29/2009, 4:24 pm

For the tire shop sake, let's hope they get it right. I don't like having to wait to get things re-done correctly on brand new stuff. I'm guessing you're referring to that wobbly feel/vibration at certain speeds.

Subject: Re: Alignment 10/29/2009, 7:56 pm

Yea, you'll feel it in you're steering wheel when it's vibrating back and forth.