Alignement vs. New Tires

[BazLR3]

So, I book the car in for service (2008 HSE V8), I go in and tell the guy I need an alignment to address the car's 'veering to the right' problem. The service advisor asks if I had replaced my tires, I said no, because although I bought the car used, it only had about at about 27,000 miles, the tires should last at least another year.

He showed me another car with a brand new set of tires and compared the side blocks, which obvioulsy were a little worn on my own tires. I agreed but told him that tire wear should not cause the car to veer to the right so much.

He said that they can go ahead and do the alignment, but results are not guaranteed since the Service Dept. will qualify their work based on the need for new tires. He highly recommended that I forego the alignment for now, opt for a new set of tires, which he believes to be the real cause of the problem, and then do an alignment if the car still veers.

The car has the original Goodyears on it with lotsa tread left. I am thinking of going to another place to do an alignment and only change the tires if the alignment fails to correct the problem. I understand that the car is VERY heavy and the temperatures in hot climates do take their toll on the tires, but come on, only 27,00 miles? The problem is compiled with 19" tires because options are limited and they are quite expensive . . .

 

[Trynian]

Doesn't seem to be out of line for the GY OE tires that I have heard. Mine were pretty much worn out by that mileage.

 

[JackMac]

Did you try to rotate them first to see if that improves the "veer"?

As stated, the treadwear of the OEM 19" Goodyears is not very good. Search the forum and you will find dozens of related posts. Most owners change brands when buying replacment tires (again search for this one, there are many existing suggestions).

Tires can definately have an effect on causing a pull. I recently swapped summer/winter tires on one of our cars. Both sets of tires are nearly new. One had a slight pull left, the other has a slight pull to the right, and no changes were made to the alignment.

 

[steve c]

If you have 27k on the goodyears they are due for replacement.

They may be ************ in terms of tread depth, but they were ****** tires from the start and do not age well. My wifes 08 HSE on the Goodyears is downright dangerous at 26k miles in the snow.

I rotated the tires every 8k miles myself due to cupping issues on the front.

I would not advise spending the money on an alignment when you are going to be replacing the tires so soon. Also, in my opinion you should avoid buying the same tires are replacements.

 

[Bluebird]

Sounds like you need both. Tires first, then align.

 

[Bad Bonez BJ]

I agree, rotate tires and see if veering stops, new tires, then alignment.

BJ

 

[BazLR3]

Should I rotate back to front, would you suggest a particular pattern? I may have to do this at home, so, should I be using the spare temporarily to change tires all around, this is a very heavy car and I am scared of using Jacks on their own! How easy is it to take the spare ou form under there?

Unfortunately, the only reasonable (financially) replacement will be another set of GY Wrangler HP, they have been quoted at $ 231.60 each including installation, made in Germany 2009 production. I will also consider the Pirellis, my past experience is that they wear out super fast.

 

[Houm_WA]

Baz...I think you can find WAY better tires for only a little more money. You gotta think value on this one, not cost.

 

[BazLR3]

Found the Pirelli Scorpion Zeros for 286.00 per tire, all out, will keep looking I guess. I noted that the edges of my fronts are more worn out than the tires at the rear, will definitely try rotation first and see if I can delay replacement by a few months.

 

[Bluebird]

Did you try Tire Rack?