Do vehicles go out of alignment as miles add up?

[RaymondP]

I usually get an alignment when a new set of tires are installed. Reputable Tech will check for wear of bushing, struts etc. as well as any bent/damaged structures that support each wheel and keep it in the correct direction. You can also get an indication of how things are by looking at the tire wear on the old tires. I usually have my vehicles set-up to run on a flat road (no camber) as factory settings allow for camber. Have always had reasonable and even wear and a nice straight ride. Vehicle runs straight on a flat road with hands briefly off the steering wheel.

Besides normal higher mileage wear, it's always been a nail or a pothole that has taken me out of the normal tire change cycle. Also don't forget to rotate tires if appropriate on your vehicle.

 

[krzyss]

Personally I think the frame of a vehicle will only stay straight for so long, hit so many pot holes, etc

What frame?

Krzyś

 

[cheesepuffs2]

So what exactly moves, that can then be corrected with an alignment?

Does the tie rod jump a thread, or the camber bolt move? Honest question.

All of the above, yes. These are all just fastened connections, up against tremendous forces. Also consider that struts/shocks can settle over time, so if the ride height is gradually settling over the years on a double-wishbone suspension then you're gaining negative camber and changing the toe. Your alignment is the results of tons of different factors working in concert.

 

[carviewsonic]

Our ‘07 Accord with 200k km’s has never had an alignment, and there are no indications it needs one.
I used to get an alignment done with each new set of tires on my cars. Now I just get one done when suspension work is needed, or if a large pothole knocks it out of adjustment.
Last alignment was years ago when I put new struts on an ‘03 Buick.

 

[Jetronic]

As wheel alignment rigs clamp on your wheel….i wonder how many aluminum wheels are absolutely straight and true after 40,000 miles. A bit of lateral run out on your rim is going to effect the reading your alignment rig gets 6-8 feet away.

I can say even OEM cast wheels aren't straight when new. At least not Hyundai wheels. Nor cheap aftermarket wheels

The straightest I've ever seen were my own flow formed wheels, they didn't need any, or very little balance weights too.

 

[Jetronic]

I don't think most unibody cars warp much with normal use, at least not since the IIHS crash tests really stiffened the front end up. Oddly enough the only cars I know of, that have problems as the years build up are a few bmw's that will break if driven hard.
If you are road racing with low stiff suspension, or bottoming out often, then they will deform eventually, or quickly with a hard enough hit. I guess subframes might move a little on a truly huge pothole or curb hit, where a low profile tire/wheel is damaged?

Rubber bushings will break down eventually and that would be the only normal change in alignment without a part like a ball joint or strut bearing getting worn.
I don't find alignment changes without a worn suspension part, and then its usually off after replacing the part.

yes subframes can move (especially the half frames that most cars have these days, and the ones that are mounted on rubber bushes), and steering racks too.

 

[Jetronic]

Our ‘07 Accord with 200k km’s has never had an alignment, and there are no indications it needs one.
I used to get an alignment done with each new set of tires on my cars. Now I just get one done when suspension work is needed, or if a large pothole knocks it out of adjustment.
Last alignment was years ago when I put new struts on an ‘03 Buick.

I agree with not getting alignment just because, but I would have at least 1 done as the factory alignment isn't always spot on. Everytime the alignment gets touched is a chance to mess it up.

 

[The motor guy]

I agree with not getting alignment just because, but I would have at least 1 done as the factory alignment isn't always spot on. Everytime the alignment gets touched is a chance to mess it up.

I disagree. It's either in alignment or it isn't

 

[SC Maintenance]

I disagree. It's either in alignment or it isn't

Assuming the tech put it on the rack correctly and all four wheel sensors were installed equally. Lots of assuming.

 

[Jetronic]

I disagree. It's either in alignment or it isn't

I say that the slightest "misalignment" of the wheel mounted plates or the wheels not being straight and you can be worse off than before.

tell me that if you do an alignment, remove the vehicle, then check it again and you get exactly the same numbers....

 

[The motor guy]

I say that the slightest "misalignment" of the wheel mounted plates or the wheels not being straight and you can be worse off than before.

tell me that if you do an alignment, remove the vehicle, then check it again and you get exactly the same numbers....

Or they just set the toe and leave the rest. I think a lot of times, that's what they do at these big chain tire shops.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Or they just set the toe and leave the rest. I think a lot of times, that's what they do at these big chain tire shops.

Industry slang is "Toe and go" - yes that is what they do mostly.

A lot of vehicles don't even have a way to adjust anything other than toe without adding Camber bolts, and you never hear about them doing that. If they do the bill is large, not $79.00

 

[The motor guy]

Industry slang is "Toe and go" - yes that is what they do mostly.

A lot of vehicles don't even have a way to adjust anything other than toe without adding Camber bolts, and you never hear about them doing that. If they do the bill is large, not $79.00

I'm aware. Been getting more even wear out of my tires since using an actual shop. I've never seen it where they weren't having to adjust the castor,camber bolts. Started using only them after Firestone tried ripping me off wanting to install a castor/camber kit on my truck. The tech at the time was laughing the whole time and said it's already got the adjustment bolts rights here lol They still wear out after 30,000 miles, but atleast it's even wear. I think it's our horrible traffic we have around here with stoplights every 500ft

 

[SC Maintenance]

I'm aware. Been getting more even wear out of my tires since using an actual shop. I've never seen it where they weren't having to adjust the castor,camber bolts. Started using only them after Firestone tried ripping me off wanting to install a castor/camber kit on my truck. The tech at the time was laughing the whole time and said it's already got the adjustment bolts rights here lol They still wear out after 30,000 miles, but atleast it's even wear. I think it's our horrible traffic we have around here with stoplights every 500ft

What vehicle? I think some are worse than others. My Nissan's have upper and lower control arms and coil overs. The community is tight nit and no one seems to have alignment problems, and neither do I.

 

[The motor guy]

What vehicle? I think some are worse than others. My Nissan's have upper and lower control arms and coil overs. The community is tight nit and no one seems to have alignment problems, and neither do I.

My 2wd dodge ram 2500 cummins. They tend to eat front end parts on these trucks. Ball joints, etc Too much weight up front from the engine

 

[raaizin]

I only align if I see uneven wear and haven’t had one done in ages and take a few cars past 150k. I do try to avoid potholes

 

[ChrisD46]

I think it can happen, but normally doesn't. I have a had a fair amount of vehicles over my life, with very few alignments yet they all tracked straight, wore their tires evenly, etc. Replacing steering and suspenion components can change that of course, but in general a well made vehicle will stay true, IME.

Would you automatically get a wheel alignment with a new tires installation OR only if there appeared to be a problem with uneven tire wear with the previous tire set ?

 

[Cujet]

Over the years as springs sag a bit additional negative camber can result. Some vehicles with a bit of bump steer (a change in steering angle as the suspension compresses) can also have a change in toe with sagging springs. We would all like to think that our favorite brands have dialed out the bump steer, but there are plenty of cases where that's simply not so.

As a very general rule, the more we deviate from the original design ride height, the worse bump steer becomes.

 

[The motor guy]

Over the years as springs sag a bit additional negative camber can result. Some vehicles with a bit of bump steer (a change in steering angle as the suspension compresses) can also have a change in toe with sagging springs. We would all like to think that our favorite brands have dialed out the bump steer, but there are plenty of cases where that's simply not so.

As a very general rule, the more we deviate from the original design ride height, the worse bump steer becomes.

Unless you're a true bitog and throw a new set on every 50-60k guess I've gotten had info over the years. For some reason I always though they were fine unless they were leaking. The shocks that is, not the springs

 

[CarlB]

I disagree. It's either in alignment or it isn't

The specification for most vehicles is a large range, so what feels and drive poorly is often still "in."

Just depends on the level of precision and matching between left vs right you care about.