Car Question: Is checking your alignment necessary?

[Phokus]

Ok,i blew up one of my tires avoiding the accident (hit a curb at around 20-30 mph, huge hole in the tire). Anyway, i'm going to get the tire changed obviously. However, i remember an incident a while ago when i got my tire changed, the mechanic tried desperately to have my 'do my alignment' (whatever that means) and charge me an arm and a leg for it (forgot how much, but i emphatically said no). Do you guys think this is necessary, and if so, how much should i pay for it? I really hate getting ripped off -_-

 

[K1052]

Have someone else check it.

 

[notfred]

If the car doesn't drive straight anymore, then do it.

 

[MikeMike]

you hit a curb, YES. mis-alignment of the tires will cause uneven wear and cause a tire to blow out faster.

MIKE

 

[Nanotech]

Yes, I think it is necessary but I do not know the going rate. How much you should pay depends largely on the make/mode/year of your vehichle.

Basically, if your alignment is off and you do not fix it one or more of your tires are going to wear very rapidly and in the very near future you may find yourself having to replace one or more of your tires.

Sorry, that's about all I know.

 

[DougK62]

You drive a car yet you don't even know what an alignment is? Disturbing.

 

[Heisenberg]

If you hit the curb hard enough to pop the tire, the alignment should be checked.

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: notfred
If the car doesn't drive straight anymore, then do it.

That's one telltale sign, another is if you notice erratic behavior especially at higher speeds. Let me elaborate, my GF's car used to dart left or right whenever hitting wet surfaces around 60MPH, the car drove straight as an arrow until there was a difference in traction between the right and left tires, turns out the toe angle was far too drastic on both wheels.

Long story short - yes, get it checked out!

 

[Phokus]

Ok thanks guys... sigh... i wonder how much it'll cost

 

[se7en]

yes u need an alignement every so often.

even more so if u live in an area with a lot of potholes/torn up roads or if you hit a curb nice and hard.

Dont pay over 150$ for all 4 wheels though unless u drive something rare like a hummer or a ferrari =)

Average around is prolly 80 to get a 4 wheel place I used to work charges 100

 

[TwoBills]

I'm not an advocate of alignments, tire rotation and good shocks usually takes care of it. But in this case I would have the front end checked for damage (alignment). Don't forget to check that wheel, also.

 

[Black88GTA]

Yes, as was stated...if you hit the curb hard enough to blow the tire, you really should have the alignment checked out. When I bought my Mustang, one of the front tires was nearly down to the cords and it would vibrate like a mfer at speeds above 55 MPH. Got new tires, still vibrated horribly, so I got an alignment done. Now the car is rock solid at 85+.

If you look around online, you can sometimes find coupons. I got my alignment done for $30 with a $10 off coupon - forget where though.