My car's alignment was fine (2000 Chrysler Cirrus LX). It was time for an oil change, so I figured I'd get the tires rotated as well. Now my alignment is off--it veers to the right. The mechanic says the rotation revealed the need for the alignment. Is he right, or am I getting ripped off? Thanks in advance!
2007-02-05 01:41:45 · 9 answers · asked by HelloKitty312 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Lets look at the facts.
Car drove straight before the tire rotation. After tire rotation it pulls.
This is clearly a tire issue, your alignment did not just suddenly go out of whack during the oil change. You have what is called a "radial pull". Usually this is caused by uneven wear on one or more the tires - which in turn is often caused by an out of spec alignment - but it is the TIRE actually causing the pull. Most pulls are actually caused by the tires BTW, not the alignment. Everyone always assumes the alignment is the cause but that's not usually true. The type of wear that can cause a pull is also not always easy to spot visually, so just looking at the tire may not tell you much.
I would recommend having the alignment checked and corrected as necessary to take care of the issue that is causing the tires to wear in such a way that they pull. This will not however, take care of the pull you now have. The damage is already done. To correct that I would first recommend cross-rotating the front tires - switching them from left to right. 9 times out of 10 this will correct the pull. If it doesn't, then you'll either have to live with the pull, rotate them front-to-rear again or replace the tires.
2007-02-05 02:30:51 · answer #1 · answered by Naughtums 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Were the old tires worn unevenly? Why did you need new tires, if it was because all four tires were pretty much evenly worn, you should be ok w/o an alignment. If one or more of the tires was more worn, or if any of them had an irregular wear pattern (like loads of tread on the inner part and bald on the outer part) then you need an alignment. If you have not had one in recent memory it is a good idea to have the car aligned and also remember to have the tires rotated at every other oil change
2016-03-29 05:53:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
whenever you change your tire system (rotation or new set), this can reveal issues with your suspension. the rear tire may have had some different type of wear to it, which is causing the veering. did you spin balance as well? this can be the cause too. all in all, if you havent had an alignment in the last few years and your car is veering, it is time to get an alignment. i recommend a 4 wheel alignment, this will also preserve your tires.
2007-02-05 01:46:04 · answer #3 · answered by jam_band_lover 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. When removing the tires, you should have taken a look at the wear on the tread. If you notice that the wear is not even then the cause may be the tire. If you buy new tires and the vehicle still veers off, you need an alignment.
2007-02-05 01:46:39 · answer #4 · answered by Hot Rod 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it can mean you need one, it is not uncommon. Being out of line is usually what causes the tire to wear on one side or the other, and if you just buy new tires and not get an alignment the new tires will not last long and they will ruin too!! You should get the alignment!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is kind of a guide, YOU CAN judge for yourself. Look under the fourth one "ONE SIDE WEAR"
http://www.procarcare.com/includes/content/resourcecenter/encyclopedia/ch25/25readtirewear.html
Here are some basic steps and pictures with different parts. (Not a Chrysler but same concept)
http://webpages.charter.net/roberts1964/frontendinfo
2007-02-05 01:44:06 · answer #5 · answered by char__c is a good cooker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most likely, yes. Your front tires wore according to the alignment, your rears did not. Putting good tires on the front often reveals a pull to one side or the other. you should have noticed uneven wear on the removed front tires.
2007-02-05 01:46:28 · answer #6 · answered by ralphers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tire wear is a great way to tell if you need and alignment, check to see if its worn on the left or right side only, if so you need n alignment, it should wear evenly
2007-02-05 01:45:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
is there uneven wear on the tires??? that's the tell tale sign!!
2007-02-05 01:44:20 · answer #8 · answered by mdlbldrmatt135 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ur ovi getting ripped off. there is no way it can do this. u shud report him imediatly or just kick him in the balls
2007-02-05 01:44:55 · answer #9 · answered by Fishfood! d 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋