Can you align a car with the old tires?

[hunterhicks]

Howdy folks, couldn't find this one through searching.

Can you have your car properly aligned with old banged-up tires? So when you can afford the new fancy tires, it'll still be aligned perfectly?

The thought is that the alignment tools sit on the wheel, which is possibly not affected by the condition of the tire.

Or

The tire condition does affect it, and I need new tires first.

I'm spending a bunch on the suspension rebuild, and I don't want to buy the $400 tires yet.

 

[67GTFB]

hmmmm, interesting question .... I can see where you are coming from and as a first order cut, the alignment would be close .... however, since it's the tire that interacts with the ground that determines some of the angle shifts, there will probably be a modest difference between the old versus new, especially for much wider tires .... suggestion -- do a self-alignment with old tires to get it close (how to's here and on web) and then get it done right once you have the new tires .... if the old tires are in sad shape, a close enough alignment won't hurt them or your wallet unless you plan to drive a lot on them .... spend the bucks once you have the new rubber .... just one guy's opinion ....

good luck

 

[289stang]

I was in the same situation myself where I new that I had to get it aligned, but wasn't quite ready for new tires. The old tires were badly worn on the outside edge in the front of the car. I was told not to bother getting it aligned until I bought new tires unless I wanted to bring it in again after the new tires were on. I went ahead and bought new tires and had it aligned at the same time. Afterall, it did need the tires anyway.

 

[Jester67]

When you get an aliment, it is for the current set of tires correcting for the current ware pattern, so when you changes tires you would have a ware pattern similar to the old tires. How soon before you get the new tires and what is the condition of your current tires? Just as an example I had my truck aligned and the person doing the work did not make sure the tire pressure was equal on both sides once I properly inflated the tires it was out of alignment again took it back in and they corrected it for free.