My Various Coupe Newbie & Mod Questions - Please Help
#61
01-29-2013, 11:39 PM
Ok, I think I understand what you're saying. Unfortunately I also think you're a little wrong.
First, changing tires doesn't require a new alignment. In some cases if you went with insanely different tire sizes, it might be needed, but even then that's a stretch. The alignment is done for your suspension, tire problems are a result of the suspension only, not the other way around. So if you do an alignment and it's good, you can switch tires and wheels every day for the rest of your life and if you don't touch the suspension, they'll all wear the same.
Next, the car pulling to one side isn't uncommon, my car is actually doing that slightly now that I've had it aligned (and looking at the sheet, everything is actually in spec). Most new cars tend to pull right as a safety mechanism. Road crowns exaggerate that effect slightly. You can have all sorts of ****ed up alignment specs and have your car not pull to one side. I can show you my old tires if you like, they all looked like your front with the belts showing because my toe was way out of spec (as I knew it would be). But the car diidn't pull to either side, ever. Still ate threw tires like a fat kid in a candy store.
Last, an alignment is much cheaper than a new set of tires. If you do it right the first time you'll be able to keep tires on the car for more than 4 months at a time. Like I said above, you may not feel a problem that will eat your tires. That's why I recommended reusing the old ones for a bit to find out if you've fixed it before you destroy some brand new rubber.
Feel free to blow any or all of this off, just trying to help man. I've destroyed more tires than I should have because I was never aligned. In my case it was because I kept changing components, ride height, etc. and I knew it was going to happen and didn't care. If you want your **** to work right, it's easy.
First, changing tires doesn't require a new alignment. In some cases if you went with insanely different tire sizes, it might be needed, but even then that's a stretch. The alignment is done for your suspension, tire problems are a result of the suspension only, not the other way around. So if you do an alignment and it's good, you can switch tires and wheels every day for the rest of your life and if you don't touch the suspension, they'll all wear the same.
Next, the car pulling to one side isn't uncommon, my car is actually doing that slightly now that I've had it aligned (and looking at the sheet, everything is actually in spec). Most new cars tend to pull right as a safety mechanism. Road crowns exaggerate that effect slightly. You can have all sorts of ****ed up alignment specs and have your car not pull to one side. I can show you my old tires if you like, they all looked like your front with the belts showing because my toe was way out of spec (as I knew it would be). But the car diidn't pull to either side, ever. Still ate threw tires like a fat kid in a candy store.
Last, an alignment is much cheaper than a new set of tires. If you do it right the first time you'll be able to keep tires on the car for more than 4 months at a time. Like I said above, you may not feel a problem that will eat your tires. That's why I recommended reusing the old ones for a bit to find out if you've fixed it before you destroy some brand new rubber.
Feel free to blow any or all of this off, just trying to help man. I've destroyed more tires than I should have because I was never aligned. In my case it was because I kept changing components, ride height, etc. and I knew it was going to happen and didn't care. If you want your **** to work right, it's easy.
#65
01-30-2013, 11:51 AM
You need to check your bushings before you do an alignment.
As Leksikon has mentioned. If bad bushings is a part of your bad toe wear, you will continue getting that wear even after alignment. If you have a good alignment tech, he'll inspect the bushing or any other parts that could contribute to a bad tire wear and will not do your alignment if he finds a part that will continue to contribute to your tire wear even after alignment.
So if you can, jack up the car and check your control arm bushings your self to see if they have cracks in them.
As Leksikon has mentioned. If bad bushings is a part of your bad toe wear, you will continue getting that wear even after alignment. If you have a good alignment tech, he'll inspect the bushing or any other parts that could contribute to a bad tire wear and will not do your alignment if he finds a part that will continue to contribute to your tire wear even after alignment.
So if you can, jack up the car and check your control arm bushings your self to see if they have cracks in them.
#66
01-30-2013, 12:24 PM
Mentioned the bushings earlier. OP, I've posted in the So Cal shop directory thread where there's a really good alignment shop and they're lowered friendly and will charge 60 bucks. They will tell you if a bushing is out. Ask them to check first before doing an alignment. Although they can do the alignment and if you have them do the install with the new part (They won't install the bushing), they will give you a free alignment. I ended up having R&J replace my bushing and getting another alignment.
#67
01-30-2013, 12:37 PM
#68
01-30-2013, 01:45 PM
Keep stock wheels or trade for xxr 521?
I got offered to trade rims for some xxr 521 18" in black and putting $600 on top.(my tires are gone and his tires have 75% tread left) Im trying to look for pictures of the 18" on a g35 in black but was not able to find one...all were 20"
Here is how my car currently looks.
Trade or no trade? what do you guys think
Here is how my car currently looks.
Trade or no trade? what do you guys think
#71
01-30-2013, 02:13 PM
all I have left to do is get a new look on the wheels and get a lip or nismo bumper and ill be happy
#73
01-30-2013, 02:34 PM
#74
01-30-2013, 03:01 PM
