Why wheel alignment is so important (pics)

TheGreatAndPowerfulOz · Wed Jul 27, 2005 9:15 pm

On March 25th, I had a new set of Fuzion ZRi V tread tires installed.
I knew I needed a front end alignment, but kept putting it off.
Bad idea.

My new front tires only lasted 4 months and are almost bald because I didn't get the alignment done.

This is to show how much the front tires wore compared to how little the back tires wore.

The pics are 1024x768
http://www.totalglobaldomination.org/da ... nment1.jpg
http://www.totalglobaldomination.org/da ... nment2.jpg

Today I put the stock 14" steel wheels back on, and got 2 new front tires, a front end alignment and new front brakes. I know I could have done most of the work myself, but it is just too hot and humid for me to be bothered!

Remember, an alignment is inexpensive and VERY well worth doing.
My alignment only cost $20 and $6 for the parts.

I am mad at myself for not having it done sooner and ruining my new tires.

Cliff

delphis · Post by **delphis** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:26 pm

for some reason I knew I shouldn't listen to the guy at big-o tires. He said that I couldn't have my front wheels alinged and that a rear tire alignment would cost me 70$. I need to go to a different shop to have this done.

BosnianLanos · Post by **BosnianLanos** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:34 pm

Hell yeah!

I got a new set of Kuhmo Ecsta HP4's and put off my alignment, even though I knew very, very well I needed it. I even have to hold my steering a bit to the right to help the car go straight. My front tires are not bald but very visibly worn compared to the rears.

I'm going tomorrow to a Tire Kingdom to get them to do it. They give you a printout of the before and after alignment degrees. I'm really interested in seeing how bad my alignment actually is.

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:27 am

talk about postponed service... i just got my thermostate housing cured with gasket maker 'cause it was leaking coolant, no big deal you say... wait till you hear the full story.

i had an issue with by engine a few months ago where i was hearing this squeaking sound... i thought it was my tensioner and i went to the mechanic to replace it, first i used a used one to make sure it was the faulty part then i had to buy a brand new one... that is practically a timing belt job done twice in a month.

during that period i knew my thermostat housing was leaking but it was not that bad so i ignored it... a month later i flushed my coolant system and put on new coolant to be ready for the very hot summer season.

yesterday i noticed my coolant is too low and the damn housing is leaking bad... i went to the mechanic and cured the problem, the thing is that the thermostate housing is behind the timing belt box so if you need to take the housing off you got to remove the timing belt and the cam sprocket on the 1.5 SOHC engine

needless to say that was the third time my timing belt was removed and i lost my 2 months old coolant and paid the labor cost for the third time

do not postpone service that your car needs... it is going to be done anyways so do it before you develope some real damage.

my next major service is at 80,000 kms mark and i intend to replace all my belts, all my filters, spark plugs and wires and water pump... i think i will throw in aan oil pump at the 100,000 Kms mark or so just to be safe.

MMamdouh

BosnianLanos · Post by **BosnianLanos** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:22 am

Wow, you perform some big services man!

An oil pump change as maintinence? Boy, the corrupt mechanics in the US would love you. Its a good thing that car stuff is cheaper in Egypt than it is here. Even though, I have 305,000 KMS on my oil pump and no problem, same with my starter, steering pump, abs pump. Only problems I have encountered with auxilery items was 1 fuel pump, 2 water pumps, 2 alternators.

But yeah, service is important and with regular service cars can last indefinately. My cousins Ford Escort with 120,000 kms runs like a piece of crap compared to mine. One time she waited almost 16,000 kms to change the oil. Basically tar came out.

Oh, well, at least it ain't mine.

woo · Post by **woo** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 3:51 am

my car was making a rubbing noise in the rear a while back, i knew it was wheel alignment and told my dad. My dad is a stuborn old man and kept on telling me it was something rubbing. I got pissed off at him and got the rear alligned and the problem went away, i was right. About 3 months ago my transmission started to go, and every now and then the car would pull right. I told my dad that the trans was on the way out and he said it was my brakes (???). Anyways, the very next day i gave my old man a call and i said "you know how you think my brakes are stuffed" to which he replied "what happened" and i said "well, my transmission just blew". The moral of my story is, dont listen to my dad...... I also have to put air in his tyres and such (but my mum and i dont tell him.....) cause he has had a few problems with tyre wear due to low pressures and general ignorence.. But if you drive a mercedes you can afford not to look after it cant you?

jurupa · Post by **jurupa** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 6:31 am

woo wrote: But if you drive a mercedes you can afford not to look after it cant you?

If your dad paid in full for the car then I would say that he has the money to pay for the expensive repairs.

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 7:26 am

BosnianLanos wrote:Wow, you perform some big services man!

An oil pump change as maintinence? Boy, the corrupt mechanics in the US would love you.

i freaked out about the oil pump 'cause my mechanic showed me a set of pistons, connecting rods and crank shaft of a Lanos that suffered oil pump failure at 80,000 Kms

it was a total mess and the connecting rod bearing almost melted and scratched the crank shaft badly and almost bent the connecting rod.

that is too low kms to have such problem but again you say you got 300,000 Kms on your and got no oil pump issue... i am confused

MMamdouh

BosnianLanos · Post by **BosnianLanos** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:10 pm

Well, finally did my Alignment today. I also threw in balance and rotation and a repair for a screw that pierced my rear passenger tire. Overall, it cost $90.00 USD, which isn't too bad considering this is one of the only shops I trust.

I got a printout of the before and after suspension and it wasn't as bad as I thought, but at least it cured the "having to hold the steering wheel right to go straight" problem. Car is also smoother and hopefully will be better with fuel.

TheGreatAndPowerfulOz · Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:12 pm

I am noticing much better gas milage now that my alignment is correct. The constantly scrubbing front tires cause unnecessary friction.