Alignment, balance, rotation question.

[Hollow]

In October our Subaru got 4 new Michelin Primacy MXV4's from Discount Tire, which includes lifetime balance and rotation. As the car currently drives on Chicago's car torture implements potholes roads, I went and bought a lifetime alignment package from Firestone, as I typically need one every 6 months here.

When both are due at about the same tire should I get the rotation and balance before or after the alignment? Would it matter?

 

[FZ1]

You don't want a balance unless the wheel/tire is out of balance. The more balances you get:the more the Techs mess up your rims. Think about it. Learn to look ahead and avoid some of the potholes.

 

[Hollow]

Have you ever driven in Chicago? Heh, avoid potholes. Sometimes the only way to do that is to hit a curb or the car in the next lane.

But I think the balance is checked when the tire is rotated, although I made not of how many wheel weights I got with the new tires, so I should notice when one goes flying.

 

[CharBaby]

Yeah, pot holes, man holes that have sunk down 3", cracked/broken pavement, expansion joints etc, plow/salt truck. We have'em!
The winter salt and the tempurature extremes kill our roads. Below 0 in the winter and nearing 100 deg F in the summer and high humidity. That's extreme!
It's actually very hard to keep a vehicle into their teens here in the northeast.

 

[Dominic]

I would advise with a Subaru to get your alignments done at a qualified performance shop specializing in alignments and/or AWD (check NASIOC.com) or consider your local dealership if they are reasonable and honest.

Most tire shops do not have the proper know-how or ability to adjust the AWD alignment, despite the fact it's a simple process. I once watched a car get aligned by a guy using a crowbar at at Tire Kingdom, when there was a perfectly good cam there to be used for adjusting the customer's camber.

 

[FZ1]

Gotta get those Comfort Treads to reduce the beating that your other suspension components....and you, are absorbing.

 

[FZ1]

Primacy is the wrong tire for "pot holing". You need the Comfort Treads. Might even reduce your alignment frequency.

 

[Hollow]

Well, as the Primacy's only have 1500 miles on them and I have had lousy luck with Goodyear tires....that doesn't help much.

I'm just curious if it matter whether I get the rotation or alignment first in the spring.

 

[4ever4d]

It shouldn't make a difference either way,so long as they are done as close together time wise as possible for maxium benefit from both.

 

[FZ1]

Get the rotation done first then the alignment. A softer riding tire would absorb more of the shock of the rough surfaces and potholes.