Does perfect tire wear mean there aren't alignment issues?

[lizpat]

We know that improper tire wear can indicate alignment issues but does perfect or good tire wear indicate that there are NOT alignment issues?

Is the reverse (or converse, or inverse) true? That's the question.

I don't know the answer. My guess is that it probably depends?

 

[Nick1994]

If your tires wear perfectly, and your steering wheel is straight and it doesn't pull, there's no reason to get an alignment.

Regular alignments are a gimmick.

If your alignment is off, then something has changed. Something is either bent, broken, or worn out. Adjusting sleeves don't just turn themselves.

 

[AuthorEditor]

I don't think I ever aligned my old 2003 Impala in over 120,000 miles and I had even tire wear. Put more than 60,000 miles on one set of Cooper CS4 tires. My feeling is that tire wear and steering feel are very good indicators.

 

[RayCJ]

It's been a while since I've done an alignment but, the fundamentals have not changed....

Camber and Toe have the most impact on tire wear. It's possible they could be properly adjusted but, Caster could still be out and that is what controls how well the steering wheel self returns when coming out of a turn. If the caster is off, tire wear won't be impacted but steering performance will suffer.


Ray

 

[demarpaint]

Here's my take on wheel alignments. If the tires are wearing evenly, the car tracks straight on an uncrowned level road, and there is nothing out of the ordinary with the steering or front end, leave it alone! In my younger years I had my fair share of perfect alignments ruined by tire shop hacks who didn't know how to use the alignment machine. Around here finding a good alignment guy is like finding a winning lotto ticket. Don't mess with what ain't broke!

 

[zfasts03]

Even tire wear, steering wheel straight and doesn't drift or pull, What more would you want?

 

[c502cid]

Originally Posted by demarpaint
Here's my take on wheel alignments. If the tires are wearing evenly, the car tracks straight on an uncrowned level road, and there is nothing out of the ordinary with the steering or front end, leave it alone! In my younger years I had my fair share of perfect alignments ruined by tire shop hacks who didn't know how to use the alignment machine. Around here finding a good alignment guy is like finding a winning lotto ticket. Don't mess with what ain't broke!


Amen on finding a decent alignment tech! Agree fully, if you have all of the above, don't mess with it!

 

[RayCJ]

Originally Posted by lizpat
We know that improper tire wear can indicate alignment issues but does perfect or good tire wear indicate that there are NOT alignment issues?

Is the reverse (or converse, or inverse) true? That's the question.

I don't know the answer. My guess is that it probably depends?


A direct answer to your question: Tires could be wearing evenly and certain aspects of your alignment could be out of spec.

Camber (negative and positive) and Toe (in and out) have the most impact on tire wear. It's possible they could be properly adjusted but, the caster could still be out of spec. Caster is what controls how well the steering wheel self returns when coming out of a turn. Given this, if the caster adjustment is off, tire wear won't be impacted but steering performance will suffer.

It would be great if someone with direct knowledge/experience with rear-wheel alignments could chime in.


Ray

 

[eljefino]

On an economy car, probably. It'll be set up to roll straight with the tires nearly flat on the pavement.

Some sportier cars are set up to shred tires through aggressive alignments, and will leave some rubber behind on an inside/ outside edge. "The alignment issues" may be a design compromise.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted by zfasts03
Even tire wear, steering wheel straight and doesn't drift or pull, What more would you want?

Handling.

But seriously, yes -- if your tires are wearing evenly across their treads, your steering wheel is straight, and the vehicle travels straight, that's about as good a sign as you can get that your alignment is fine. Ditto your suspension bushings, ball joints, tie rods, and dampers.

 

[gathermewool]

How many cars have caster adjustment???

 

[RayCJ]

Originally Posted by gathermewool
How many cars have caster adjustment???


Many (dare I say most) trucks have caster adjustment. Most cars these days require a bushing kit or offset bolt if caster goes out of spec. I know some Miata's have adjustable caster. I believe my friends Subaru has caster adjustment but, his car is track-only and he may have added that as an aftermarket part. His other track car is an E-series and I believe it too has caster adjustment. -Couldn't tell you the precise percentage of cars with adjustable caster but, they are out there. Back when I was working on cars, all of them had caster adjustment.

 

[Shannow]

If it's wearing flat and tracks well...don't mess with it unless you are desiting something else, like better turn in or the like.

I've noticed that the front ends of my 2000's vehicles are massive compared to those built in the '70s (designed in the '60s...those, a decent pothole and the steering wheel went off centre.

 

[CharBaby]

I too am from the school of thought that, if all of the tires are wearing well an the steering wheel is straight at 12:00(+/- 1 min) with good return and the vehicle tracks straight, then there is nothing wrong.

Sure, you could do an alignment check and see that somewhere in the alignment something isn't optimal but certainly not serious enough to make adjustments nor the need to spend the $90-$100.

 

[AuthorEditor]

Quote
Sure, you could do an alignment check and see that somewhere in the alignment something isn't optimal

In my experience you can end up worse off unless you have that great alignment guy that is very hard to find.

 

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted by AuthorEditor
Quote
Sure, you could do an alignment check and see that somewhere in the alignment something isn't optimal

In my experience you can end up worse off unless you have that great alignment guy that is very hard to find.


I agree with you. However there is this one Good/Year Service Center that has been doing my alignments for about 35 years and they're great. They'll do a check first and show the customer the printout. Often requesting(if there is little issue)
NOT to align...But they will perform one if the customer really wants it done.

 

[Cujet]

It's also good to note that there is often a fairly wide range of "acceptable" specs for many vehicles. Within that range, normal tire wear is the expected result.

Wide tire vehicles can be more sensitive to alignment issues. Excessive negative camber can easily chew up the inside edge of a wide tire.

 

[CapriRacer]

So much to comment on:

First, yes, there are offsetting combinations of bad alignment settings that will give you even wear, but those will also result in rapid wear. The best example is toe-in vs camber. Don't forget that caster adds (or subtracts) camber when the steering wheel is turned!)

Second, the alignment - even caster - is adjustable on EVERY vehicle, but it may require an eccentric bolt or a camber plate. Heck I've even seen folks drill new mounting holes! (Usually to get more camber!)

Most published alignment tolerances are too wide - by half. My experience is that to get good tire wear, the alignment has to be within the inner half of the tolerance AND the camber can't be greater than 1 degree.

Lastly, it's hard to find a good alignment guy. They usually don't pay a guy enough for his expertise and he moves on to something easier and more lucrative. Owning your own shop is the normal way these guys move up. - and with the advent of auto repair chainstores, the little guys are disappearing.

 

[cristo]

As CapriRacer points out above,
if just the total toe-in is off, the car can
still track straight and wear evenly,
but it will wear more quickly.
If nothing seems wrong, I would still
check at least the toe-in, especially
when putting on new tires.
You can do this at home easily and
accurately with a tape measure and a
helper, a string and 4 jack stands
(or other posts to tie the string to), or
an actual toe-in measuring tool.
You can also check camber at home
pretty accurately at home with a
combination square and a level
parking surface (if not level or not
sure, make a second set of measurements
after turning the car 180 degrees and
take the averages).
Caster at home is a bit trickier but can
also be done with a reasonably degree
of accuracy.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The Rear total Toe could be OK, but DS Rear toed IN and PS Rear toed OUT. Think of a truck with a fatigued rear spring.

You could also have cross caster and SAI out.

But if it steers good and tire wear is good - no need for alignment.

My VW shows in spec but it drifts to the left and the steering doesnt re-center from a 45 deg left turn but it does from a right turn.

A good tech uses the machine as a tool not the last word. Yo could have busing durometer or slop issues, a bad rack or box, ride height imbalance, tire issues, etc.