Alignment question
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Joined: May 2001
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Alignment question
Ok, here's my situation: I've got 35,000 miles on my original Dunlop D8000s, and I think there's about 5,000 to10,000 miles left of life in them. I also think that the car needs an alignment, becuase it doesn't seem to track on the highway as confidently as it once did. The outsides of the front tires seem a little more worn than the rest of the tires, but not dramaticlly.
Now, I'm going on a 3,000 mile roadtrip next month, and I'm wondering if it's worth it/smart to get a good alignment done before I go. Will replacing the tires in a few months then require a new alignment? Thanks in advance for your thoughts & insights.
Now, I'm going on a 3,000 mile roadtrip next month, and I'm wondering if it's worth it/smart to get a good alignment done before I go. Will replacing the tires in a few months then require a new alignment? Thanks in advance for your thoughts & insights.
AudiWorld Senior Member
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Sounds like normal wear. I would avoid an alignment unless absolutly necessary, most shops don't....
know how to do an alignment on the unique front suspension of the A4. There is a special procedure needed, where the toe is checked at two different ride hieghts. I doubt even the dealers follow the factory procedure! Unless some suspension component is worn, or you smacked a curb, the alignment should not need adjustment.
AudiWorld Member
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I would replace them now and do the alignment.
If you don't want to replace 'em, then just rotate them and wait until you get your new tires, then do the alignment.
To answer your question, if you do the alignment now, you won't need to do it again with the new tires.
To answer your question, if you do the alignment now, you won't need to do it again with the new tires.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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Re: perspective
Absolutely get an alignment with new tires...don't want to waste them with uneven wear if alignment is off. Your current tires may be shot, even if there is 5 to 10k miles left in them. I have experienced high performance tires that developed a "radial pull" towards the end of their life, which makes the car feel like its out of alignment, but is really just one of the tires with a slight bias. Rotating and balancing sometimes helps in this situation. Also, if you are doing a 3k roadtrip, and your tires may only be good for another 5k, I'd be inclined to not hedge your bet and go ahead and get new tires before the trip. If you elect to try the alignment, find a shop that can determine if there is a tire problem, and that will only align what is needed and charge accordingly.
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