How can i tell if my wheels need to be aligned?

[aphex]

If i let go of the wheel going 40mph in the middle lane. and within 4-5 seconds i am in the right lane, do i need an alignment?

 

[Iron Woode]

lol

seriously, i go by the wear on my front tires.

 

[Crusty]

Either that or check your tire's..they could be low on air. At least that's what I thought...

 

[Armitage]

That, or you have a brake dragging. Check the wear pattern on the tires

 

[rival]

if your tires are out of alignment, then you need to get them aligned

 

[PoPPeR]

my sisters car does that. SHe's a bad enough driver as it is without having alignment troubles.

 

[aphex]

My tires are brand new and the pressure looks even....

Everything seemed to be fine until i had a cracked CV Boot replaced last week.

What im mainly asking is though, even if i get it aligned, will it ever be much better?

 

[The Stigenator]

sounds like your due for one.

 

[NeoPTLD]

Originally posted by: aphex
My tires are brand new and the pressure looks even....

Everything seemed to be fine until i had a cracked CV Boot replaced last week.

What im mainly asking is though, even if i get it aligned, will it ever be much better?

You can't replace a CV boot properly without pulling the axle out. they probably screwed up something in the process.

Why did you get just the boot replaced anyways? With the labor involved, you should have just gotten a rebuilt axle installed.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: NeoPTLD

Originally posted by: aphex
My tires are brand new and the pressure looks even....

Everything seemed to be fine until i had a cracked CV Boot replaced last week.

What im mainly asking is though, even if i get it aligned, will it ever be much better?

You can't replace a CV boot properly without pulling the axle out. they probably screwed up something in the process.

Why did you get just the boot replaced anyways? With the labor involved, you should have just gotten a rebuilt axle installed.

I brought my car in to get the AC checked. I get a call 2 days later saying they found a cracked CV Boot and if i wanted to replace it.

$270 later i get a car back that wont stay in a lane.

 

[NeoPTLD]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: NeoPTLD

Originally posted by: aphex
My tires are brand new and the pressure looks even....

Everything seemed to be fine until i had a cracked CV Boot replaced last week.

What im mainly asking is though, even if i get it aligned, will it ever be much better?

You can't replace a CV boot properly without pulling the axle out. they probably screwed up something in the process.

Why did you get just the boot replaced anyways? With the labor involved, you should have just gotten a rebuilt axle installed.

I brought my car in to get the AC checked. I get a call 2 days later saying they found a cracked CV Boot and if i wanted to replace it.

$270 later i get a car back that wont stay in a lane.

Take it to a different mechanic and get it fixed. Preferebly an ASE certified shop and don't let an apprentice work on it.
Take the invoice, explain what happened and see if they'll be willing to connect the damage to that repair job in writing.

Once you get that, get it fixed and make the first shop pay for it. If they don't pay up, take it to small claims court.

 

[Armitage]

IME, a "cracked CV boot" is the modern equivalent of a "pinhole leak in your radiator hose". I was told that twice on my Honda. Took it home & had a look ... no cracks. Just somebody trying to make a dishonest buck. They are cracked now, but that's SEP.