Doing just a rear alignment?

[jtvang125]

Ideally it's better to do both but can't you request to only have the rear or the front done? I called two places and they're charging for a full alignment even if they did just the rear as I requested.

 

[master_shake_]

cause it takes time to setup to do an alignment?

 

[HarryLui]

I agree with the shop.

 

[jtvang125]

cause it takes time to setup to do an alignment?

I would think since they're not touching the front they don't have to set up anything for it. Even if they do it's just attaching the sensors to the wheels. Less than two mins each side.

 

[tweakmonkey]

They still have to check the car in, deal with the customer, put the car on an alignment rack, get out all the gear, give you a print out etc.. The hassle alone probably doesn't make it worth it for them to save you $30 by only doing the front/rear, especially because you might come back and complain that it doesn't drive straight or something afterward. That said, I think I had a front wheel alignment-only done on my girlfriend's beater years ago at a Firestone. Many shops would do a front wheel alignment but I haven't heard of someone doing a rear only. We don't mess w/ alignments so I'm not sure.

 

[lxskllr]

I've never had a rear alignment, or had issues with my rear. Is this an independent suspension thing?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

If you only align the rear wheels, what are you aligning them to?

 

[master_shake_]

I've never had a rear alignment, or had issues with my rear. Is this an independent suspension thing?

a solid rear axle can be out of alignment as well.

but i think it's only the thrust angle.

 

[NutBucket]

If you only align the rear wheels, what are you aligning them to?

You can align to each other (toe) but I don't see how you can align thrust angle independent of the front.

 

[jtvang125]

I've never had a rear alignment, or had issues with my rear. Is this an independent suspension thing?

On my last set of tires, one side of the rear blew out because it worn straight through. My fault for not checking but it was only a few months on them so I didn't think they'll be that bad already. This was just about 1" strip on the very inside shoulder of the tires. The fronts were fine and worn straight. I got a new set and did a 4 wheel alignment right away. That was about 6 months ago and while I've been checking more often I've notice the past 2 months or so it has started wearing on the very inside again on the rears. Again the fronts are fine, wearing normally and steering wheel perfectly centered. That's why I see no point in aligning the front.

I think the rear toe is off again and along with slight factory negative camber is accelerating the uneven wear.