I completed over 60,000K on a set of Brigestone Turanza's, and when I replaced them I selected Accelera PH1's at around one third the price. The dealer asked me if I wanted a rear wheel alignment which I declined.
Been around for a long time and never heard of it, but apparently it's de rigueur for independent suspension these days.
Anyway the rear PH1's did about 35000k, which I was happy with, and let the dealer, a different one, do the rear alignment when I replaced them.
Just replaced the front tyres 6000K later, and asked the dealer, a different one again, for a front end alignment, which I always do, so he does the rears as well +$40, and they were way out. I have never seen any evidence of rear wheels doing what front wheels do if they are out of alignment. Is it for real?
Rear Wheel Alignment
Comments
Exactly, the amount of adjustments possible varies.
Unless you have bashed a few gutters or hit some big pot holes wheel alignments are rarely needed. Some people like to get them all the same for some reason.
No two wheel alignment machines are calibrated exactly the same so every one you go to will say yours is out.Four wheel alignments are the standard these days with IRS.
What did you do to only get 35k/k out of a set of rear tyres?? Got 80k/k out of a set of factory fitted dunlops on our 07 camry and they still had a good 10k/k left on them.
Ok, some cars have IRS and only some cars have adjustable rear ends, and usually only toe in/out. Some! As your odometer went from 60000 to 95000 and then 101000k's, even without hitting anything obvious that you might consider damaging, but just a decent pothole will/can/might do harm. Parking bay bump stops are a killer. Now you have also to look and worn rubbers, mounts and bushings, sad/soft suspension struts, tyre pressures, and so many other variables that may come into play in your situation.
Just moving house or work address could be the reason. You have moved and now drive thru 7 round a bouts more each day than before, Boom, there goes the outside tyre edges more than before. It is not always this simple, but today we need to look at so many other reasons for less k's on tyres than that of the originals.
Some alignment machines and methods and different vehicles give light to differing opinions on alignments, but on today's cars and most from last 20 years, it is only a 10 minute toe adjustment. Not many cars can actually get a true alignment and have provisos to perform these adjustments, lucky if yours can/does. A good aligner will 'bend stuff' to get it right, but not many will admit to this, nearly a lost art anyhow.
Does it need an alignment, checking the tyre wear pattern and a vehicle mechanical check will tell the story.
A few theories from 35yrs experience for you to think over. Cheers.
I had a 92 Holden Barina years ago for a decade, the rear alignment went out visibly often, so I went under and did the adjustment myself (toe in/out). Never had a problem lining it up myself. Wouldn't do front wheels but rear was 10 minute job. DIY if it's obvious on inspection.
Catchup time. It's a Lexus IS250X, (255/40/18 Rear, 225/40/18 Front, what a scam) driven by a lady in her 50's. You can see her anytime in the left lane of the freeway.
I am assuming the reason she got 35000K for the rears, and 41000K for the fronts, because you get what you pay for, but I can assure you the wear was even all round. Am I entitled to get similar mileage out of cheap tyres?
By the way I got 80K our of dunlops on an AU11. I also owned a brand new EA in 1981 I think, that was feathering the fronts at 3000K,and this is the only way I understand wheel alignments.
So now I am telling myself the bleeding obvious "If you can't see it, it's not happening", which is probably why I asked the question in the first place.Thanks guys,
What brand/model/year of car ?