Does it matter when I get an alignment?

[paulri]

For the first time, I was told by Americas Tire that I have uneven tread wear on the Sienna tires, and some of the treads are down to 2/32 (just under 40K on these 80K Goodyear Assurance tires), others 3-4-5/32. So I was advised to get an alignment. The tires have been inflated fairly regularly--hot psi is supposed to be around 37, when I did get them aired up the meter read 34 or 35, so I don't think that it was due to underinflation.

Stupid question time: it doesn't matter if I get the alignment now, and then buy new tires in a month or so, does it? Or should I have them both done as close together in time as I possibly can? Getting an alignment now on tires that are uneven wouldn't affect the alignment if I drove around for a few weeks on old uneven tires, would it?

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I prefer to drive on the old tires and get the alignment when I get new tires. Is America's Tire going to pro-rate your old tires, since they only lasted 40K?

 

[paulri]

Yeah, I'll get something like $35-40 per tire prorated off the new purchase.Quite frankly I'm not sure its even half of the original price of those tires, but it is much better than nothing at all. The guy told me that the discount I would get would not be based on proration, because the tires wore unevenly, but I am getting something off.

Originally Posted by JayhawkRoy
Is America's Tire going to pro-rate your old tires, since they only lasted 40K?

 

[ragtoplvr]

The most accurate possible alignment will be on new uniform tires. The effect is slight, and normally ignored but it is an effect. A "good" alignment person and a quality calibrated alignment stand are more important. It is so hard to find good people these days.

Rod

 

[paulri]

That tells me that my best bet would be to get the new tires, and then as soon as possible, get the alignment done. That's not a problem...I will have my (very trusted) mechanic recommend a place, if he doesn't do it himself.


Originally Posted by ragtoplvr
The most accurate possible alignment will be on new uniform tires. The effect is slight, and normally ignored but it is an effect. A "good" alignment person and a quality calibrated alignment stand are more important. It is so hard to find good people these days.

Rod

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Is this AWD Sienna? - Those are Notorious for eating tires according to my old cube mate that has one.

 

[paulri]

No, its only FWD. But I also have heard that Siennas eat tires, although I don't recall if they meant AWD or both kinds..

I have not had great luck with tires lasting (which is why I went up to 80K and above warranty tires---at first I just went for cheapo 40K and 60K tires) on this Sienna. But this is the first time I've ever been told that wear has been uneven. Maybe at 150K its just time for an alignment. I know some folks get them more often than that.

 

[Clarkbug]

What sort of rotation schedule did you have with the tires?

AWD Siennas are really heavy, and the run flat tires they come with have the stiff sidewalls that seem to accelerate uneven wear. Even with regular alignments and rotations, they can be hard on tires. Most of the dealerships and tires places seem to agree.

 

[paulri]

Decent. The first one was at 9K, but the others were at 7K, 7K, and 6K. Its been a few thousand since the last rotation.

Originally Posted by Clarkbug
What sort of rotation schedule did you have with the tires?

AWD Siennas are really heavy, and the run flat tires they come with have the stiff sidewalls that seem to accelerate uneven wear. Even with regular alignments and rotations, they can be hard on tires. Most of the dealerships and tires places seem to agree.

 

[Greggy_D]

Whenever I buy a set of new tires, my immediate next stop is the alignment shop.

 

[paulri]

You aren't the only one with that schedule, but with my tires always wearing evenly before, I never felt a reason to get them aligned.

Just found out my mechanic will do this, so I'll have him do them as soon as I get a new set put on.

Originally Posted by Greggy_D
Whenever I buy a set of new tires, my immediate next stop is the alignment shop.

 

[maxdustington]

Perhaps you should inspect your suspension components and replace if any that are damaged/worn so you won't need to get another alignment for a while. It sounds like it is just the car that is wearing the tires but it would suck to need ball joints or something 5-10k miles after paying for an alignment.

 

[charbaby]

Yeah, in the meantime, have your suspension checked out for worn parts that may be causing your out of alignment issues. If necessary, have them replaced and then when you get new tires, get the alignment.

But, you don't want to get tires, then an alignment only to find out later that you need some parts...and another alignment(at $90 a pop).

 

[KalapanaBlack]

Siennas always wear tires at a slant. Outside of fronts, inside of rears. Most minivans wear outside fronts badly. I'd suggest re-mounting inside-out every other rotation for maximum life. Still won't get stated warranty mileage, but will probably get another 5-10k. Might be worth a box of donuts per re-mount for the tire guys.

 

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted by paulri
For the first time, I was told by Americas Tire that I have uneven tread wear on the Sienna tires, ……


Once again, camber takes its toll on tires.

Originally Posted by paulri
……. and some of the treads are down to 2/32 (just under 40K on these 80K Goodyear Assurance tires), others 3-4-5/32. …….


You also have a toe problem!

Originally Posted by paulri
…… So I was advised to get an alignment. The tires have been inflated fairly regularly--hot psi is supposed to be around 37, when I did get them aired up the meter read 34 or 35, so I don't think that it was due to underinflation.

Stupid question time: it doesn't matter if I get the alignment now, and then buy new tires in a month or so, does it? Or should I have them both done as close together in time as I possibly can? Getting an alignment now on tires that are uneven wouldn't affect the alignment if I drove around for a few weeks on old uneven tires, would it?


Get the alignment done BEFORE getting the new tires - or as close as possible AFTER. What you don't want to happen is to wear a bad pattern into a new tire. Those never really go away.

Plus, you ought to tell the alignment tech, you want the rear camber lower than minus 1 degree. This might require a camber plate or an eccentric bolt (additional cost!) - and - YES! that is not to spec, but my experience is that anything over a degree causes uneven wear. Tell the tech you want a copy of the printout to verify.

Also, make sure the alignment settings are in the middle half of the allowable tolerance. (except for the camber as I explained above.) The published tolerance are way to wide for good tire wear.

And lastly, there is no excuse that the toe should not be right on.

If the alignment tech wouldn't agree to this, find one who will. Your wallet will thank you.

 

[KalapanaBlack]

Originally Posted by CapriRacer
Originally Posted by paulri
For the first time, I was told by Americas Tire that I have uneven tread wear on the Sienna tires, ……


Once again, camber takes its toll on tires.

Originally Posted by paulri
……. and some of the treads are down to 2/32 (just under 40K on these 80K Goodyear Assurance tires), others 3-4-5/32. …….


You also have a toe problem!

Originally Posted by paulri
…… So I was advised to get an alignment. The tires have been inflated fairly regularly--hot psi is supposed to be around 37, when I did get them aired up the meter read 34 or 35, so I don't think that it was due to underinflation.

Stupid question time: it doesn't matter if I get the alignment now, and then buy new tires in a month or so, does it? Or should I have them both done as close together in time as I possibly can? Getting an alignment now on tires that are uneven wouldn't affect the alignment if I drove around for a few weeks on old uneven tires, would it?


Get the alignment done BEFORE getting the new tires - or as close as possible AFTER. What you don't want to happen is to wear a bad pattern into a new tire. Those never really go away.

Plus, you ought to tell the alignment tech, you want the rear camber lower than minus 1 degree. This might require a camber plate or an eccentric bolt (additional cost!) - and - YES! that is not to spec, but my experience is that anything over a degree causes uneven wear. Tell the tech you want a copy of the printout to verify.

Also, make sure the alignment settings are in the middle half of the allowable tolerance. (except for the camber as I explained above.) The published tolerance are way to wide for good tire wear.

And lastly, there is no excuse that the toe should not be right on.

If the alignment tech wouldn't agree to this, find one who will. Your wallet will thank you.



I believe FWD Siennas are solid rear, so if it's tweaked a bit over time a shim kit might be required to set rear toe.

 

[paulri]

Would it matter to the mechanic who will be doing the alignment, if he knows the wear/tread on each of the tires? I'm going in soon today to get the tires (alignment ASAP next week), and I'm wondering if it would help him align the car if he knew the wear pattern? Or would that not matter?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Front wheel drive Zero toe on fronts (or no more than .014deg IN TOTL)

You may need new lower control arm bushings by now.

Rear inside would be excessive camber, but what is Toyota spec on a solid beam axle I assume shouldn't be more than 1/4 degree.


My 80K mile Le2 "light truck" Firestones are toast on my little Nissan in 35K miles, but that car has never been right in the front end.

Cheap Garbage wimpy LCA and strut design up front on the Nissans ( though good stock, infiniti-like dampers on my rogue)

 

[The Critic]

At your mileage, the rear horizontal control arm bushing is probably wiped out (or will be soon). If you want to improve tire wear, I would replace the arms with dealer arms ($400 for arms) or install the metal Moog spherical bushings.