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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Carnage on April 24, 2006, 06:27:19 PM

Title: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do? ------------>
Post by: Carnage on April 24, 2006, 06:27:19 PM
Im getting 18" rims.   Do I need an alignment if I change my rims?

What about those of you who went with 30"+ tires. 

What did you do?

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Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do?
Post by: derekj on April 24, 2006, 09:36:52 PM
as long as you dont change the suspension (lift it or lower it) your alignment settings will stay the same. you may find that it might pull to one side or the other then you might want to get it checked. i check the alignment on my car every time i swap over my summer tires to winter tires, but im a mechanic so it does not cost me anything.

derek
Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do?
Post by: Carnage on April 24, 2006, 09:45:59 PM
as long as you dont change the suspension (lift it or lower it) your alignment settings will stay the same. you may find that it might pull to one side or the other then you might want to get it checked. i check the alignment on my car every time i swap over my summer tires to winter tires, but im a mechanic so it does not cost me anything.


Ill be swapping my 15 alloys for 18 chrome
(currently I ride solid with no drift or pull)
since youre a mechanic, what should I check for?
any help would be awesome
 :)


Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do?
Post by: Carnage on April 25, 2006, 01:12:21 AM
what about anyone else?

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Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do?
Post by: williamj on April 25, 2006, 04:33:00 AM
     I usually do get an alignment after I get new tires since they usually are expensive. I would rather have the piece of mind that before the first rotation they are not going to wear strange.
Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do?
Post by: Carnage on April 25, 2006, 10:08:06 AM
     I usually do get an alignment after I get new tires since they usually are expensive. I would rather have the piece of mind that before the first rotation they are not going to wear strange.

I was also thinking this.

So what about all you guys with super swampers.
I notice everyone has them but no one talks about alignment
Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do? ---------
Post by: the_maplebar on April 25, 2006, 10:55:13 AM
I just installed my lift this weekend.  Getting my first alignment and new tires this week.  I plan on getting a lifetime alignment since I'm going to keep the Tracker until it won't go anymore, and I'm doing an incremental build so it will definately be going through at least a couple more suspension changes. 

Basically for the cost of 3 alignments I will be able to get it done every year, plus when I get new tires, plus whenever I install new coils, or mess with any other part of the suspension. 
Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do? ---------
Post by: crikeymike on April 25, 2006, 03:19:22 PM
i've noticed that if alignment is a little off when you switch from smaller to larger tires, it shows more and need correcting.

it's always worth realigning the front end with different wheels/tires just in case it is out, unless you are able to check it yourself like the other dude.
Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do? ---------
Post by: Carnage on April 25, 2006, 03:40:17 PM
it's always worth realigning the front end with different wheels/tires just in case it is out, unless you are able to check it yourself like the other dude.


why not the rears too?
Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do? ---------
Post by: the_maplebar on April 25, 2006, 04:28:08 PM
I'm pretty sure the Tracker is a front end only alignment vehicle.
Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do? ---------
Post by: derekj on April 25, 2006, 07:36:58 PM
you cant change the alignment on the rear - its not adjustable. if you get an alignment done the shop should check the tie rod ends, idler arm, pitman arm, and ball joints before doing the alignment. if any of those have any play in them they would need to be replaced before setting the alignment.

derek
Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do? ---------
Post by: Carnage on April 25, 2006, 07:48:41 PM
you cant change the alignment on the rear - its not adjustable. if you get an alignment done the shop should check the tie rod ends, idler arm, pitman arm, and ball joints before doing the alignment. if any of those have any play in them they would need to be replaced before setting the alignment.


how would I go about checking those myself?
Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do? ---------
Post by: derekj on April 25, 2006, 09:32:42 PM
just lift the front of the car off the ground and get somebody to grab the wheel at 3 and 9 oclock and wiggle it back and forth slowly and just look for any play in steering system. to check the ball joint lift the front by the lower control arm and wiggle the wheel from top and bottom.

derek
Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do? ---------
Post by: Carnage on April 25, 2006, 11:50:54 PM
check the tie rod ends, idler arm, pitman arm, and ball joints before doing the alignment. if any of those have any play in them


ok... how much "play" we talking about?

Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do? ---------
Post by: derekj on April 26, 2006, 06:52:04 PM
should have no play in any of the front end/steering parts.

derek
Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do? ---------
Post by: Carnage on April 26, 2006, 07:15:44 PM
should have no play in any of the front end/steering parts.


serious?

almost all 10 year old cars have at least "some" play
 :-\
Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do? ------------>
Post by: Quaddawg on April 27, 2006, 05:06:38 PM
That's why you replace parts.. you want NO slop in any of the tie rods, idler or pitman, ditto with ball joints and upper strut mounts.


If you have perceptible slop at a tie rod end.. by the time you "amplify" the slop out to the edge of an 18" wheel and wide tire (I am assuming)  you are talking about  a few mm's of slop and that is out of tolerance for a good alignment.. SO... if you have ANY slop, an alignment will be less than great...


As far as mine, I lifted it when I added the bigger tires, so yes, I need my camber set...  I set it myself, but it's a trail vehicle.. I also set my own toe in , and caster is built in.. so for a trail vehicle, it's about making the camber close, and the toe in at LEAST to spec, or more so it will track straight.   For a road vehicle... Yeah, I go to an alignment shop.
Title: Re: Do I need an alignment if I change my tire size? What did you do? ------------>
Post by: Carnage on April 27, 2006, 05:15:44 PM
bleh
*makes a face*

(my appointment is on sat)

((thanks to all who helped))

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