Tires & Wheels Tire and Wheel discussions. What Fits, Show Tires, Custom Wheels

Alignment: front only, or 4 wheel ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 20, 2011 | 11:30 PM
  #1  
sleeper's Avatar
Thread Starter
Platinum Member
 
Joined: 01-09-2007
Posts: 16,081
From: SE USA
Alignment: front only, or 4 wheel ?

Just curious what the concensus is on getting an alignment on these.

Mine tracks like an arrow, but am gonna up grade tires..

& noticed I may need a mild toe adjustment.

TIA..
Old Nov 20, 2011 | 11:57 PM
  #2  
843de's Avatar
Deceased
 
Joined: 06-30-2010
Posts: 25,739
From: Kannapolis NC
You can get away with just doing a front end alignment, but the rear wheels are adjustable via shims and they may be out of spec after 3 years of scooting about in the Tennessee hills.

I have 4 wheel alignments done on mine just to make sure nothing has gotten knocked out of spec and to make sure the the front and rear ends are tracking in unison. There is a slight possibility of introducing a tracking error when just doing the front, which end is showing the toe wear sleeper?
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 12:02 AM
  #3  
sleeper's Avatar
Thread Starter
Platinum Member
 
Joined: 01-09-2007
Posts: 16,081
From: SE USA
843-

front right, so minimal I had to check it a few times to be sure..
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 12:11 AM
  #4  
843de's Avatar
Deceased
 
Joined: 06-30-2010
Posts: 25,739
From: Kannapolis NC
Well that's a hard call, I still prefer to do a 4 wheel alignment, but with minimal toe wear on just that one corner you might could go with a front end alignment only.

Are you buying the new tires online or at a local store, you might be able to get a deal or discount on an alignment with the tire purchase.
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 12:37 AM
  #5  
sleeper's Avatar
Thread Starter
Platinum Member
 
Joined: 01-09-2007
Posts: 16,081
From: SE USA
843-
I've never rotated these firestones, knowing I wanted to get rid of them anyhow...
And there are some wicked left turns heading up the mountain I always love to whip thru..

"shoulder wear can also be caused by hard driving, especially on winding or curving roads. In this case, nothing abnormal is indicated, and the only correction that's needed is a change in driving habits.

In America, we generally take left turns faster than we do right turns. This puts more load on the right front tire which results in the right tire wearing faster than your left. After thousands of miles of driving, you end up with uneven tread wear".

Edit: I'll be having a 4 wheel alignment done anyway... Just to know things are dialed in correctly..

Last edited by sleeper; Nov 21, 2011 at 01:36 AM. Reason: Added additional comment..
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 07:19 AM
  #6  
DaGrinch's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 08-03-2011
Posts: 683
From: Western MD
Originally Posted by 843de
........but the rear wheels are adjustable via shims and they may be out of spec after 3 years of scooting about in the Tennessee hills.
Yeah, Kinda like the old West Virginian with one leg longer than the other to be able to traverse the terrain and feel like he was on a level.
Not much different in TN, huh?
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 08:41 AM
  #7  
07azhhr's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 10-06-2011
Posts: 1,150
From: Mesa, AZ
Originally Posted by sleeper
843-

front right, so minimal I had to check it a few times to be sure..
Originally Posted by sleeper
843-
I've never rotated these firestones, knowing I wanted to get rid of them anyhow...
And there are some wicked left turns heading up the mountain I always love to whip thru..

"shoulder wear can also be caused by hard driving, especially on winding or curving roads. In this case, nothing abnormal is indicated, and the only correction that's needed is a change in driving habits.

In America, we generally take left turns faster than we do right turns. This puts more load on the right front tire which results in the right tire wearing faster than your left. After thousands of miles of driving, you end up with uneven tread wear".

Edit: I'll be having a 4 wheel alignment done anyway... Just to know things are dialed in correctly..

If it is the outside only showing wear then yes spirited driving "could" be to blame. Inside wear would be toe issue for sure. But a 4 wheel alignment can not hurt just to know you will get the most out of your new tires.
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 08:52 AM
  #8  
Old Lar's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 09-11-2007
Posts: 1,379
From: Palm Bay, Florida
When I had the HHR in for alignment a couple of weeks ago, they checked the rears for alignment and no need for adjustment, the fronts did get tweaked a bit to correct some toe in issue. I was getting new tires and wanted to start out with good alignment.
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 01:21 PM
  #9  
sleeper's Avatar
Thread Starter
Platinum Member
 
Joined: 01-09-2007
Posts: 16,081
From: SE USA
Thanks all for the replies.. Appreciate the input.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Dracos
Maintenance and Upkeep
31
Dec 31, 2012 06:02 PM
bigjoe
Maintenance and Upkeep
23
Jan 8, 2012 05:51 PM
jay loukakis
Problems/Service/Repairs
6
Apr 21, 2011 02:25 AM
Lone Ranger
General HHR
1
Jun 17, 2008 08:17 AM
traketo
North East
3
May 30, 2006 04:46 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:55 AM.