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recent alignment, told need one again?


crypted
04-28-2009, 06:44 PM
Three weeks ago I had my Civic's struts replaced. They did an alignment alongisde that. Today, I bought new tires at a different shop as mine were getting worn badly. After having them installed the mechanic said I needed an alignment.

Here's the output from the alignment machine:
Driver Front: 5/32in inside
Passenger Front: 1/8in inside
Driver Rear: 5/32in inside
Passenger Rear: 1/32 outside

Insider refers to front portion of tire pointing inward, outside refers to outward pointing.

Is that much to worry about? I'm shocked it would "need" this again and I feel that they were just trying to "sell" me the new product.

Airjer_
04-28-2009, 09:27 PM
Are those toe specs?

Toe will not cause tire wear unless way out of wack and then you'll know because the steering wheel will be off by a half a turn. If you drive down the freeway and the car goes straight by itself and the steering wheel is level it is fine. Most shops give a 90 day on there alignments so it might be worth calling the original shop to see if they will hang the heads just to make sure everything is up to par?

crypted
04-28-2009, 10:11 PM
I assume it is TOE. There are no numbers for Caster or the other options, but those were near the word TOE. What's that really mean then?

I'll try and get ahold of that other shop but since I had tires replaced I'm wondering if they will say no go just because of that.

ricebike
04-29-2009, 12:03 AM
did you have the machine printout from the 1st shop?

just tell the 1st shop who did your alignment to put it back up on their machine; it should still be under warranty (3 months???)

Airjer_
04-29-2009, 08:22 AM
Toe is how much the tires are pointed in or out if you where looking down from the top of the car. Toe is what makes your steering wheel straight. I would bet the shop did a front wheel alignment and left the rears alone. The front is only of a 32nd since 1/8 inch = 4/32. The problem they see is in the rear.

I don't think I have ever used equipment that measured toe in inches? Its always been degrees for me.

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