alignment, should i ??

[GEE-Zus]

So I have a set of 205/40/17 on my hatch and I just bought a set of 14 in rims with steelies, and my question is should I have an alignment done when I put on the 14s on it or will I be fine? Also two of them are 185/65/14 and the other two are185/70/14 will that make a difference if I have the alignment ddone?

 

[mark_jdm]

You might wanna. But if you're just keepin the 14s on for a couple of months, then forget it. Coz if you align the 14s, you'll end up aligning again for when you put the 17s back on. Costly. So how long will the 14s be on anyway?

 

[cgpEJ6]

Alignment's aren't very expensive, I would.

 

[crash!]

I would, alignments are only like 90 bucks. But you're going from worse to bad. 15s and 16s are going to do the most justice.
And that difference between the sidewalls is okay, just make sure you pair the sizes in front and back. Put the taller sidewalls on the back.

 

[Puma]

Anytime I swap wheels I align the car, especially going from that large to that small. Of course I'm anal, and anytime I adjust my suspension I have it re-aligned too.

 

[Mr.Baker]

Speaking from my experience, on my car with stock suspension, going from 15" wheels in the summer to 14" winter wheels, I've never had to nor had any abnormal wear because of it.

 

[civexspeedy]

Changing wheel and tire size has zero impact on your alignment. If your alignment is within spec before you change wheels and or tires, it will still give the same read out after you change them. You are only changing your wheels, not making any changes to your suspension.

 

[DuckIt]

Changing wheel and tire size has zero impact on your alignment. If your alignment is within spec before you change wheels and or tires, it will still give the same read out after you change them. You are only changing your wheels, not making any changes to your suspension.

This.

If you change wheels and tires and then suddenly get a pull, its the tires, not the alignment.

Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk

 

[Puma]

Changing wheel and tire size has zero impact on your alignment. If your alignment is within spec before you change wheels and or tires, it will still give the same read out after you change them. You are only changing your wheels, not making any changes to your suspension.

So I guess I'm abusing my free alignments and wasting time?

 

[Mr.Baker]

You are only changing your wheels, not making any changes to your suspension.

Exactly.
When I had my 5th gen hatchback, it was lowered and aligned correctly.
I went from 17's to 14's with no issues.
I suppose my points are, regardless if you are lowered or riding on stock suspension, if you are simply swapping wheels and tires, if you're alignment is in check, you don't need to worry about it.

 

[Trekk]

Running two different sidewall sizes will effect the ride height of the car and the caster. Not by much, but it will, even low air pressure will effect alignment.

 

[Trekk]

So I guess I'm abusing my free alignments and wasting time?

Maybe made not, cars sag after, people hit bumps and pot holes so after a while they need to be readjusted. I've never put a car on the rack that was right on the money unless it just had one. Even then I get paid reguardless so i'd rather it be in spec lol.

 

[Puma]

Maybe made not, cars sag after, people hit bumps and pot holes so after a while they need to be readjusted. I've never put a car on the rack that was right on the money unless it just had one. Even then I get paid reguardless so i'd rather it be in spec lol.

I'm down almost 5" and constantly am dodging items/holes. Hell yesterday I swear I lost my oil pan at first from a dip in a road I hadn't been on in a long time and couldn't avoid.

I used to eat through tires every 4 months b/c my camber/toe was so horrible. After alignments and a 'rear camber kit' I'm not blasting through them but I change my ride height 2-4 times a year so that's why I get them so often.

 

[civexspeedy]

OP, you should at least get the right size tires for the other 2 wheels. Handling of the car will suffer and if you were to put the larger sidewall tires up front, your speedometer will be off and you'll get pretty bad gas mileage.

 

[DuckIt]

Running two different sidewall sizes will effect the ride height of the car and the caster. Not by much, but it will, even low air pressure will effect alignment.

How?

It will not effect caster. Or camber or toe.

Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk

 

[DuckIt]

Low tire pressure will cause a pull...but its not because the alignments out

Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk

 

[Trekk]

How?

It will not effect caster. Or camber or toe.

Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk

How?. Running a thicker sidewall in the front or rear of the car will tilt it one way or another. That will increase or decrease caster. Just for fun I added a photo.

 

[Mr.Baker]

Get the alignment done if it's been awhile since you have had one.
Generally speaking, switching back and forth between tires, you shouldn't need one.
If you do notice some abnormal, uneven tire wear down the road, then I would look into it again along with worn suspension parts.
Put the higher profile tires in the rear, won't effect you, if at all, and doubt you will even notice.
In the future get matched tires.

 

[GEE-Zus]

well the 14s i plan on using for the winter, the 17 im using them for the other three seasons, but my left front tire is really worn down from the outer edges, you can see the little wires sticking out, i have two new tires for the 17s so i plan on getting them mounted and have the alignment done on them.

 

[GEE-Zus]

oh btw also it does pull to the left a little