2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Which Comes First - Tires or Alignment?

[Tulsa618]

OK, after installing the Luke’s Link on the track bar, it did a great job of tightening up the front end – but I need a little toe adjustment to get that true drive again. Here’s my question: I’m putting on new tires tomorrow (315/75s) and I plan on getting that toe adjustment taken care of, too – but at different shops. My question: Should I get the new tires put on first, or get the alignment? My logic (completely devoid of actual knowledge, I'm afraid ) tells me that it shouldn’t matter. But does it? And if so, why?

 

[Chipstien]

If you will only be driving from the tire shop to the alignment shop then it isn't long enough to wear out the new tires. But if you were going to get the tires and then wait a week or two for the alignment then I would say get the alignment first.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I go with the new tires first. If they feel like they need to take a

"set", I run them a few miles first. Dunno' if it means anything.

 

[Rd.Runnr]

In my experience the condition of the old tires would be the factor. Modern alignment equipment measures with laser in millimeters. Could cause wear on new tires if old tires are badly worn

 

[CChaney]

hey guys I own an alignment shop get the new tires first

it does not make that big a deal but its the best way

also make sure you have your truck loaded about the normal wieght that you carry. and make sure your tire pressure is set where you will be keeping it . The pressure makes a diffrence.

do you have a lift on your truck? Are you running stock wheels?

 

[Joe G.]

Tires can make a difference. If one of them on the rear is worn more than the other side you can get some tire "push" so that it will drift to one side. I had that problem with one set of times I had some time ago. Almost drove the alignment guy nuts.



Since then I rotate tires every oil change to try to keep the wear even. On a later set of tires I had a slight drift to the right all the time in spite of rotation. Just a touch on the steering wheel was enuff to take care of it, but it was an aggravation. I switched to Michelin tires a couple of tire changes ago. The slight drift went away. The second set of Michelins are straight too. I know that just changing brands should not affect this, but it did.

 

[Tulsa618]

CChaney, I only have the 2" leveling up front. The tires will be going onto stock wheels. (I bought a fifth matching wheel so I can rotate five, and leave the original spare where it is for "bllast" since the new spare won't fit between the frame rails. )



I'm still on the original Michelin LTX/E tires at 63K. The alignment before I put on the Luke's Link a couple weeks ago was just about perfect. All four tires have very consistent wear since I rotated regularly and kept a careful eye on the pressure.



If I don't get the alignment done today, it would be one week and about 400 miles before my next chance. The pull I have now is not bad - it's just noticeable and consistent.



Thanks for all your replies!

 

[CChaney]

tires can and due cause a pull sometimes. We call it RTP radial tire pull. the shop or you should cross the tires left to right and it will due one of two thing most of the time 1 it will stop pulling then you are done 2 it will pull the other direction and then the tire should get replaced . It is a defect and should be covered.

michelin has a good reputation for being very true. The wheels you have if they are less than 8 inch they are not wide enough for the 315s you will create a whole bunch of other problems

the wheels have to be at least 8 better yet 10 inch wide would be better but they like to stick out side the fenders and that sets new problems to look at.

 

[Dane]

Tires first!

You should always put the tires on before alignment.

 

[Tulsa618]

Got the tires on first. Man! What an improvement! It drove much better (no surprise there), but I took it in to another shop (where they fixed my Ram after my wreck a year ago). They checked everything over carefully. It needed only a very minor adjustment. And then they didn't charge me for the work! They said they got enough from me when they fixed the wreck. THAT's service!

 

[rbattelle]

So is the consensus that wheel alignment should be performed after new tires are installed?

Even if the tire size isn't changing?

Ryan

 

[Grizzly]

On my then 95 DRW I was told to have the the cab-over-camper on for alignment, but when I drove the truck with camper to my favorite alignment shop, the camper couldn't clear their door. So I had to have the truck aligned with the camper off.