Car maintenance question

[bigpern23]

My car is out of alignment and I want to take it in tomorrow to get it fixed, but I don't know if it needs a two-wheel or four-wheel alignment. Money is tight, so it's a consideration that the two-wheel is cheaper, but if I need the four-wheel, I'd rather get it taken care of now.

The car pulls to one side and when I reach speeds of 70-75, the steering wheel shakes, so I know I need the alignment done. I don't want to wear out my tires.

I just don't how to tell if two or four is necessary, and I rarely trust auto shops to give me the no-bull answer.

So I put it to you, SJ, how do I know if I need a two- or four-wheel alignment?

 

[qtlaw]

Find a trustworthy mechanic on yelp and follow his/her advice. Their judgment is usually going to pay off in the long run.

 

[bigpern23]

Find a trustworthy mechanic on yelp and follow his/her advice. Their judgment is usually going to pay off in the long run.

If I had a trustworthy mechanic, do you think I'd ask you yokels?

I want to take care of this tomorrow. If I don't do it tomorrow, I probably won't get a chance for about a month. Just trying to see anyone knows what the difference really is and if anyone knows how to tell if I should throw the extra money at it.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

A front end alignment is what you need if it's pulling like that.

 

[Ace]

A front end alignment is what you need if it's pulling like that.

I'm with Joe.

 

[Spartan Squad]

 

[Football_Bat]

Get your front end checked out first. It could be a worn-out ball joint or loose tie rod end. An honest tire place will tell you those things before they align your tires. It could also be tires out of balance -- that solved one bad shimmy I had at speed and was a lot cheaper.

ADD: And if they tell you you need a new Pittman arm, immediately tell them to pound sand and leave. A Pittman arm is an immovable part that's part of the suspension and doesn't wear out.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

I was thinking about it and was gonna say pretty much what FB just did. If the front end is out of align, it's out of align the same sitting still or doing 70. It comes from repeatedly hitting potholes at high speed or running into curbs (cough, my wife, cough, cough).

It could be something as simple as tire pressure. Check the pressure on the front to which way it's pulling. If it's really low pressure, it's going to pull. It could be a ball joint or even worn out front end bushings. How old is the car? Every time I change oil, I grease the front end and spray the bushings (all the little rubber bits where the tie rods connect) with WD40. It keeps them from dry rotting.

I suppose there is a way to get the rear end out of alignment, but everything is pretty solid mounted back there. If it's out of align you're probably got waaay bigger issues.

 

[MacDaddy]

WD40 tends to dry out rubber, so you might want to rethink that.

Unless you have a rear-drive vehicle with a solid rear axle the rear end can be out of alignment and is adjustable.

Football Bat is right that it could just be a balance issue, too. (However, a Pittman arm is part of the steering system and can very well need replacement. If there's play in the steering it can be the culprit, but that doesn't sound like the issue here.)

I know you said money is tight, but a bad alignment job (or bad alignment that goes unchecked) can destroy a set of tires. I'd highly recommend finding a good shop and getting things checked out.

 

[Shoeless Joe]

Maybe WD40 does, but I've been doing it for 25 years. My current vehicle is a 2000 Ranger, and all the bushings look like new.
I've never owned anything but rear wheel drive cars or 4WD trucks, so I guess I can't comment on what front weel drive cars' rear wheels are like.

 

[Boom_70]

So I put it to you, SJ, how do I know if I need a two- or four-wheel alignment?

To determine, you need to count how many tires are on the car- two? or four?

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Focus on a two-wheel alignment. Sure, the rear wheels could be off, too - they hit potholes, curbs and such just the same. But I wouldn't bet the vehicle on it.

Go to Firestone and asked for a front-wheel balance and alignment. If you're pretty sure you're going to keep the vehicle for at least another year, buy the lifetime alignment. The cost is typically for about two alignments, and over the course of a vehicle's lifetime with you, the combination of the peace of mind and savings will be worth every penny.

(And an excellent reference by Spartan Squad. Still the best hour of public radio going ... )

 

[93Devil]

http://www.cartalk.com/content/googleresults.html?cx=partner-pub-7133054861616181%3Ahi3ycasbap0&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=alignment#1217

 

[T. Petty]

you should have your tires balanced first. if your steering wheel is shaking, it's most likely that.

 

[bigpern23]

Turns out I need four new tires before they'll even do the alignment. Still have the original tires on my car six years, 68,000 miles later, so I guess it was about due. Just going to have to deal with the alignment for a while until I get the new tires, I guess. FML.

 

[Ace]

Turns out I need four new tires before they'll even do the alignment. Still have the original tires on my car six years, 68,000 miles later, so I guess it was about due. Just going to have to deal with the alignment for a while until I get the new tires, I guess. FML.

I would see if you can get the alignment thrown in for buying the tires there.

 

[bigpern23]

Turns out I need four new tires before they'll even do the alignment. Still have the original tires on my car six years, 68,000 miles later, so I guess it was about due. Just going to have to deal with the alignment for a while until I get the new tires, I guess. FML.

I would see if you can get the alignment thrown in for buying the tires there.

They wanted $600 plus tax. No way.

I'll probably check out a few junkyards and see if I can get some good tires, if not, I'll hit one of the area stores that runs a buy three tires, get the fourth free promotion.

 

[User 11148]

Back when I was young and a sportswriter, I recalling dreaming of the day that getting new car tires wouldn't cause a financial crisis. And now that I'm not young (and not a sportswriter), needing new tires doesn't cause a financial crisis. On the other hand, I have a head full of white hair and my back hurts all the time.

In my neck of the woods you can get good deals on used tires at predominantly Mexican neighborhoods/locations. We're not talking new, or even close to it, but you can get a serviceable set that'll last about a year for approx. $100.

 

[murphyc]

At the end of 2009, we got Fuzion tires (an offshoot of Bridgestone) put on our Malibu for about $300, alignment included. I believe our 'Bu runs on 205/16 wheels. We went to a local tire place where a friend works. Other places were charging $400+ for brands I've never heard of, no alignment included. We've had no problems with the tires.
I would say call around for prices and also see who friends/family/co-workers recommend. And yes, it's time for new tires if you have 68K on the originals.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Turns out I need four new tires before they'll even do the alignment. Still have the original tires on my car six years, 68,000 miles later, so I guess it was about due. Just going to have to deal with the alignment for a while until I get the new tires, I guess. FML.

Buy three Firestone Firehawk tires and get the fourth free ... offer good for a couple more days:

http://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/tire_promotion/show_tire_promotion.jsp?id=10000380

And considering looking into the alignment in the process ... no point in ruining another set of tires because of misaligned wheels, too much positive/negative camber issue or excessive toe-in or maybe even toe-out.