Attention Alignment Guys...

[Turk]

Hey,

I was just up at Tires Plus getting my 76,000 mile Firestone Destination A/T tires replaced and had them check the Alignment.

'03 GMC Sierra 4x4 139,000 miles - never been aligned.

The tires wore even with "little" cupping on the front, other than that, perfect, not uneven!

Here's the results:

Front Left:

Camber: -0.5 Spec -0.3 to 0.8 degrees
Caster: 2.0 Spec 2.8 to 4.8 degrees
Toe: 0.18 Spec -0.5 to 0.15

Front Right:

Camber: 0.3 (good) Spec -0.3 to 0.8 degrees
Caster: 2.0 Spec 3.1 to 5.1 degrees
Toe: 0.4 Spec -0.5 to 0.15 degrees

Front:

Cross Camber: -0.8 Spec -0.5 to 0.5 degrees
Cross Caster: 0 (good) Spec -0.8 to 0.3 degrees
Total Toe: 0.13 Spec -0.10 to 0.3 degrees


What do you think? Get an Alignment or leave well enough alone...??


Thanks!!

 

[rg200amp]

Since you never got one, I would get one now with new tires.

It will make the ride that much smoother.

 

[duaneb9729]

if you can go to Hoover wheel alignment, very fair pricing and honest folks, there is one right off 35w and east hennepin ave.

 

[Turk]

Oh, I could do that as I commute from Forest Lake to Minnetonka every day... Tires Plus is $59.99.

Am a little ticked at TP as they were an hour late, didn't apologize and tried to sell me the lifetime alignment for ~ 140 and said "don't you want to keep your truck?"

GEEZ!! I said I went this long on no alignment, so why shouldn't I keep my money to save/use as I may never need one again??

 

[alreadygone]

Low camber on left should cause slight pull (normally want left camber to be slightly higher than right. Should also cause very slight inside wear. Caster is low on both sides. Getting it brought into spec would bring back ride quality you don't realize is gone (because it went away so gradually). Even though over-all toe is ok, it's off from side to side, should cause steering wheel to be canted. Possibly canted wheel and slight pull are offsetting each other????

Spend the money and be in awe,,,,or, continue in the bliss of ignorance. Either way your tires will still give reasonable life even without align. And more beer money.

Bob

 

[zrxkawboy]

Personally, I'd align it.

 

[Eddie]

if the tires show no abnormal wear and the vehicle does not pull, then leave it alone. However; that being said, if you have issues with your new tires-warranty?

 

[The Critic]

I see that you have listed the acceptable range for each category, but is there a "preferred" specification for each category?

 

[bdcardinal]

on the hunter racks, they have a graph that turns green when you are in the middle of the spec. i would always set the car to perfect center for every measurement, then i could adjust if did anything weird.

the mustang had an alignment that was wayy diff than stock.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
I see that you have listed the acceptable range for each category, but is there a "preferred" specification for each category?


Nope, there is just the spec that is listed.

Hummm... The truck does not pull at all.

I could have EASILY got 90,000 miles from the tires,

Changed them because Winter is coming, I drive 100 miles a day and I Ice Fish a lot so driving in Ice & Snow covered Lakes, so traction is super important!

Would like to know on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the worst, about how far off this Alignment is.......

 

[mechtech2]

I'd set the right camber to match the left, and set the toe to zero.
What's up with the rear alignments on those vehicles? Any adjustments possible? Rear alignment is important.

 

[labman]

Adjustments are always possible. The rear of my 92 Grand Am was off the first time I had it checked. Eventually I bought a shim pack at NAPA for between the hub and axle. Tricky to figure out, but it did the job.

 

[Turk]

I don't think there's a rear alignment..