Went from 18s to 17s...realignment needed?

[AmBo]

Hey, just put on my snow tires (17" Chrome Bullitts) from my 18" chrome saleens. I got an alignment when I went to the 18s, but now do I have to get another one?

My car seems "wobbly" at high speeds but idk if it's from not having 18x10s out back or the alignment. WHatever it is, it scares the piss out of me...

Oh, also, snow tires have no traction and it sucks...I'm so spoiled by my KDW2s...

 

[Disturbed One]

Hey, just put on my snow tires (17" Chrome Bullitts) from my 18" chrome saleens. I got an alignment when I went to the 18s, but now do I have to get another one?

My car seems "wobbly" at high speeds but idk if it's from not having 18x10s out back or the alignment. WHatever it is, it scares the piss out of me...

Oh, also, snow tires have no traction and it sucks...I'm so spoiled by my KDW2s...

You probably would not need one unless there is a complete difference in overall diameter or different offsets from what I've been told.

Scrub Radius:

Scrub radius is the distance between where the SAI intersects the ground and the center of the tire. This distance must be exactly the same from side to side or the vehicle will pull strongly at all speeds. While included angle problems will affect the scrub radius, it is not the only thing that will affect it. Different wheels or tires from side to side will cause differences in scrub radius as well as a tire that is low on air. Positive scrub radius is when the tire contact patch is outside of the SAI pivot, while negative scrub radius is when the contact patch is inboard of the SAI pivot (front wheel drive vehicles usually have negative scrub radius).

If the brake on one front wheel is not working, with positive scrub radius, stepping on the brake will cause the steering wheel to try to rip out of your hand. Negative scrub radius will minimize that effect.

Scrub radius is designed at the factory and is not adjustable. If you have a vehicle that is pulling even though the alignment is correct, look for something that will affect scrub radius

Caster:

When you turn the steering wheel, the front wheels respond by turning on a pivot attached to the suspension system. Caster is the angle of this steering pivot, measured in degrees, when viewed from the side of the vehicle. If the top of the pivot is leaning toward the rear of the car, then the caster is positive, if it is leaning toward the front, it is negative. If the caster is out of adjustment, it can cause problems in straight line tracking. If the caster is different from side to side, the vehicle will pull to the side with the less positive caster. If the caster is equal but too negative, the steering will be light and the vehicle will wander and be difficult to keep in a straight line. If the caster is equal but too positive, the steering will be heavy and the steering wheel may kick when you hit a bump. Caster has little affect on tire wear.

http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm

 

[AmBo]

Yea, I think I need another alignment *sigh*

I went from 18x9/18x10 to 17x8s all around...

Thanks for the info

 

[Kilgore Trout]

If it has been more than 6-12 months since the last one you should get it aligned regardless...

 

[Disturbed One]

Yea, I think I need another alignment *sigh*

I went from 18x9/18x10 to 17x8s all around...

Thanks for the info

If sears is able to align your vehicle they give a 6mo/6,000mi warranty on the alignment if they are willing to align the vehicle or state otherwise before doing the work. So if they align it now with the wheels on there then 4-5 months down the road when you put your other wheels on have the alignment checked out again to see if anything changed or not.

With the vehicle being lowered they may not be able to get it up on the racks but if they can just tell them it needs to be set to factory specs even though it's lowered. Just an idea for ya.

 

[AmBo]

Nah, only been about 2

 

[tomustang]

tires balanced?

 

[DropTopPony]

tires balanced?

thats what i was gonna say, or one of your old wheels is alittle bent. I've had this happen before.

 

[AmBo]

nah, the ride isn't bad. There is no noticeable "shake" to the steering wheel. Just if I make a slightly fast lane change, it feels almost like the car whobbles or rolls. It's wierd. Maybe it's just me?

Don't tell me my old wheel is bent...that's not even funny. They just mounted new tires on the old fronts and put em on the rear and mounted my old rears up front.

 

[DropTopPony]

I slightly bent 2 of my wheels a few years ago and it was only noticeable at higher speeds..above 50mph. It made the car shake on the highway.

I think your just not to used to having the smaller tires so it feels different to you.

 

[tomustang]

maybe it's just jersey roads?

 

[AmBo]

maybe it's just jersey roads?

VERY possible! :Zip2:

And droptop, I think you're right...I want my fatties back.

 

[tomustang]

VERY possible! :Zip2:

And droptop, I think you're right...I want my fatties back.

hey don't worry, I heard in recent polls PA is ahead of NJ for the worst roads :Word:

 

[kovacs22]

doesnt anyone else find it weird that his "snow" wheels are chrome bullitts? WTF!?!

 

[AmBo]

doesnt anyone else find it weird that his "snow" wheels are chrome bullitts? WTF!?!

Yea, well they are truely beat to hell. They came on my car when I bought it and took some SERIOUS abuse for a year and a half. I never cleaned the inside during winter and trust me, the salt the inside chrome. It's peeling all over! However, the faces aren't that bad and I can "kinda" ride around in style even with 2 snow tires on. :Word: