Wheel alignment - how often to ?

[ice_cubes]

So I hit a pothole on Sunday... Now suddenly my car goes more to the left
Besides the obvious, how often am I supposed to take a car for wheel alignment?

 

[Pitbull]

So I hit a pothole on Sunday... Now suddenly my car goes more to the left
Besides the obvious, how often am I supposed to take a car for wheel alignment?

With the changing of tyres and if you hit a curb or a pothole

Your caster and/or camber would have been set out because of the impact on the wheel. It's pretty cheap to have fixed. Do it as soon as possible as your tyre is now not running optimally and will rapidly wear as it's being dragged instead of just rolling forward.

 

[Dlamaqhinga]

So I hit a pothole on Sunday... Now suddenly my car goes more to the left
Besides the obvious, how often am I supposed to take a car for wheel alignment?

Twice a year, like every 6 months.

 

[Beachless]

Supposedly every 10000km or so and with tires costing what they do thats not a bad idea.

 

[Wall]

Every few months IMO. Also, I suggest looking at groupon, they always have deals for wheel alignment. It normally cost ~ R200 but you can save R100 if you get it through Groupon

 

[VG008]

I do mine after every 15,000 KM, usually when I do the service on my car.

 

[nivo]

I do mine every 10,000 kms with tyre rotation and and balancing, but if your car is pulling left or right quite bad rather have the alignment done to save on uneven wear on the tyre also your balancing will be out too.

 

[Pitbull]

I do mine every 10,000 kms with tyre rotation and and balancing, but if your car is pulling left or right quite bad rather have the alignment done to save on uneven wear on the tyre also your balancing will be out too.

And indication of balancing being out: Steering starts to shake at a certain speed when accelerating and dissipates as you pass a certain speed.

 

[I.am.Sam]

and it was a new car

 

[PsYTraNc3]

every 10 000km which is about every 4 months for me

 

[ice_cubes]

and it was a new car

unfortunately yes its only 2 weeks old

 

[LCBXX]

Every 10,00km is a good reference. Or get a Honda. 5 years and 1 set of tires and not once was change necessary when doing an alignment. Pulls onto the ramp and 7min later it goes off, R190 later, no adjustments.

 

[ice_cubes]

thanks! I guess its off to TWT this afternoon

 

[Rusty0]

Make sure you check your tyre as well, inside the wheel and tyre for bubbles or scrapes, sometime you hit a pothole with the inside of the rim with nothing visible on the outside.

 

[Colin62]

thanks! I guess its off to TWT this afternoon

I'd go first thing tomorrow morning. No matter where I've taken my car, there's always a queue for wheel alignment, and it's usually shorter in the morning.

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

I'd go first thing tomorrow morning. No matter where I've taken my car, there's always a queue for wheel alignment, and it's usually shorter in the morning.

?? I've never waited for wheel alignment in my life?

I do it every service, is cheap and helps tyres last(which aren't cheap)

 

[ice_cubes]

Make sure you check your tyre as well, inside the wheel and tyre for bubbles or scrapes, sometime you hit a pothole with the inside of the rim with nothing visible on the outside.

oh man!

 

[ice_cubes]

?? I've never waited for wheel alignment in my life?

I do it every service, is cheap and helps tyres last(which aren't cheap)

There's a new one in Annlin, forgot the name. They never have a queue

 

[Ockie]

Urg. I am getting gatvol now of getting my tyres alligned. Went away for a long weekend earlier in the year and had to drive on a dirt road. On our way back on the N3 I realized my wheel alignment was out. Took it to I think it was Supaquick. They did it and as I was driving back home I noticed it was still not right. Took it back the next day and they redid it. Again, still was not right. Took it back same day and then they got it right.

Put two new front tyres on two days ago at Minty's. I asked the guy if I need to have alignment done and he said no, you only need to have alignment done if it was out already. So I said OK cool. True as fck ... as I was driving that day I noticed the alignment is out again after having the tyres done. Decide to leave it for now. Anyway, as I was driving to day it was irritating me so much that I took it to Tyres & More. Have it done and as I drive I notice it is EXACTLY THE SAME STILL!!!. Steering wheel poynting a bit to the left, but car is going straight. I take it back after work and the guy says he will redo it for me, but if I could please sit in the car this time and hold the steering wheel straight as he does it because the handlebar thing they use to keep the steering wheel in place does not fit well on my car. Anyway, go through the procedure again while I hold the sterring wheel straight. Drive home and TRUE AS NUTS! Still not fcking aligned. FFFFFFCCCCKKKKKK!!!!! Going to take it back again tomorrow morning and make them redo it .... AGAIN! And this time the guy will come with me for a drive straight after.

Jirre.....with those fancy machines they use to do it you would think they get it right first time everytime no???? URG.

Sorry for the rant. But I have OCD when it comes to this kind of thing.

 

[TheChamp]

I got tired of aligning mine and just left it, I am now used to it. Funny thing is my tyres never wear out unevenly as it's usually the case on misaligned tyres.