[DaBears34]

So I'm ditching my RFT for some Michelin PSS 235/35/19 265/30/19 and some Alufelgen 9.5 / 8.5. I'm looking to buy my tires from tirerack and have them shipped to one of their recommended installers. NORTOWN AUTOMOTIVE on north ave. they use Hunter equipment for mounting/balancing. Do you guys think that I should also get alignment done?

Got a quote from my local guy who said he would do the job mount/balance alignment for $180. I'm sure he doesn't have hunter equip etc, do you guys think I should should get it all done at the place recommended by tirerack or would my local guy be ok?

Thanks for any input.

[ken1137]

Why do you need an alignment ? I would save the money if your car does not need one prior to the tire/wheel mount.

[flip4335]

Originally Posted by DaBears34

...Do you guys think that I should also get alignment done?

The only reason to go to a Tire Rack recommended installer IMHO is peace of mind.

Personally, I have been through three installers. Two of them were recommended. The closest one did not have a record, yet, because it was brand new... but also the least expensive.

Unfortunately,

• a junior tech changed the tires at the closest and least expensive joint, and
• I had some issues with the staggered setup being mounted wrong (235/40ZR18 mounted in the back, while the 265/35ZR18 wheels were mounted up front for a simple swap out of winter and summer wheels) at the highly recommended second installer (reason: another junior tech).
• The third installer was a nationally known major brand chain with their own, separate automotive center nationwide. They put their experienced techs on the job, and I witnessed the tech doing little things, like using cloth to minimize the scratching of my M3 OEM Style 219M wheels when removing the old tires.

I usually don't request an alignment, but this time I did and the driver side wheel toe out was drastically off, so I appreciated the fact that I requested it.

Long story short, it depends (alignment after tire mount, and going to a recommended installer)... based on your degree of comfort level and price.

I got the best of both.

[DaBears34]

Originally Posted by ken1137

Why do you need an alignment ? I would save the money if your car does not need one prior to the tire/wheel mount.

I think the car drives straight and do not have steering wheel shake at any speeds. Not sure why my local guy insists on doing an alignment, maybe to get more money out of the install. I may end up going to the recommended shop by tirerack which lists $28 per tire and they have the right equipment. I would rather have the peace of mind that the job was done with the right equipment then have my local guy use whatever machine and then try to align my ride.

[ken1137]

You can alway give A&L a call in Palatine if its not too far. I use them for all my wheel swaps including my wife's MDX. I'm sure I can speak for all member as they are highly recommended for wheels and mods.

[Game]

Yeah A&L can take care of just about anything you need. Fluid Motor Union in Plainfield does a good job too.

I don't know why they want you to get an alignment. Probably just to hike up the price.

[CrazyTiger]

Why not just drive there and let them do everything for you, its only about an hour from chicago.

[trohde78]

The alignment is just added insurance for your new investment in $1,000 worth of tires (unless you recently had it aligned). As flip4335 stated, his toe was way off, but I bet the car drove fine. I always get the car aligned when I buy brand new tires, and I also make sure that they can give me the before and after readout so that I know what was changed. In my experience, something has always needed some adjustment