I sort of have a basic idea what an alignment does, but when is it actually recommended?

After a spring installation?

After adding new aftermarket wheels?

or maybe both?

 

Generally after toying with the suspension it's good to get an alignment as it will most likely be off. When installing springs, wait a week or two for them to fully settle before getting an alignment, or you might end up getting one twice hehe.

 

I do it both for suspension work, and when tire/wheels are replaced. $50-60 for an alignment is better than $150 per tire!

 

good price

 

I'm going to see if I can get an alignment tommorow or on Friday. I've read that the echo specs also work for our cars, though not completely sure since there is the weight difference. You would expect that for a two year old car that they would have released the specs =\

Though I don't feel any noticible alignment problems, my car does roll a bit when I cross metal bridges. My uncles stock xA doesn't have that problem.

 

if you know a someone with the xB hand book the alignment specs are in there too. :D

 

I used the Echo specs when I got my first alignment less than a month after getting my xB. It has worked for the last 16 months. I have the toe and camber tweaked a bit for now, so I can't really say that its OEM Echo anymore. But it worked and I had no tire wear problems. My xB just turned 40,200 miles.

Also the movement across the Park Steet Bridge and such is from the tread of the tires and the grating of the metal road surface counteracting each other. To truly check alignment, you must drive a straight and level road surface.

 

Yeah, I'm contemplating on getting an alignment. I did the "finger" test and it passed. I did the "veering" test and it passed. If anything, I'll either get an alignment after I recheck all the bolts (I usually do that after any install) or when I get new rims/tires (sooner that I thought).

 

whats the finger test and the veering test?

 

1 finger on the steering wheel while you go forward and see if you can hold a straight line.

Make sure you are on a level street to do this, in Tucson a lot of streets are higher in the middle to help drain water.

 

thanks

 

My car had a slight pull to the right depending on the slope of the street after I got my new wheels. I thought it was alignment but the shop that checked it out just had me rotate the tires and the pull is gone. Saved me some money.

 

Now that's an excellent shop you went to!

 

Yes per your recommendation in another thread I started going there.