Is an alignment absolutely needed after new tires?

[mightymousetech]

Originally Posted by 92saturnsl2
Originally Posted by mightymousetech
Most cars don't need a 4-wheel alignment? Uh, what?


Most was a poor word choice, many cars would have read better. I don't know the exact percentage of course, but I'd guess that > 50% of the vehicles (not just cars) on the road have no means of adjusting alignment on the rear other than adjusting it mechanically with shims or new parts (which is not part of a 4-wheel alignment.)


Pretty much everything has adjustable toe front and rear, unless it has a solid rear axle, and you won't find that on just about any car made in the last 10 years, except for pick ups.
You are aligning the front wheels to the rear wheels, if you don't straighten the rear, it will be very half assed.

 

[Saabist]

Originally Posted by 92saturnsl2
Most was a poor word choice, many cars would have read better. I don't know the exact percentage of course, but I'd guess that > 50% of the vehicles (not just cars) on the road have no means of adjusting alignment on the rear other than adjusting it mechanically with shims or new parts (which is not part of a 4-wheel alignment.)


On the older model Saabs with beam axles in the back, the factory method for aligning the rear is to bend the axle in a jig to bring it into spec. You have to be careful on those cars not to lift the rear using a jack centered on the axle since it will bend out of shape. (There's a reinforced area under the trunk to be used in lifting.)

 

[double vanos]

It drives good?

NO

 

[Crash Bandicoot]

I wouldn’t sounds like you’re going to be replacing them within 12 months, any potential extra wear will be infinitesimal financially.