Hi all,

I was wondering, how often do you get a front-end alignment or have it checked? I would imagine this might differ depending on if you have a stock front end or a suspension lift.

Christine

 

As long as it's not pulling in either direction and I don't have any uneven tire wear, never.

 

What GreenBlazer said, but I get it checked when I buy new tires just to make sure.

 

maybe after a heavy pothole winter but usually after new tires

 

Same boat as green... no pull or wear, no worries

 

+1 for only if I see irregular wear or feel pulling.

Save for if an adjustable suspension/steering component was replaced, or if there was direct force to a wheel(related to an accident, very hard curb hit, etc) in the case of a direct hit to the wheel, I would reccomend a preemptive alignment. A set of tires far exceeds the cost of an alignment! Any collision job that comes in our shop with a wheel that was hit during the accident gets sent out for alignment. Sometimes it doesn't take much lateral force to throw it off, or bend a part.

 

If the camber or castor needs alignment and the only way to do it is with the spacers, does it cost extra? Or when they say "Alignment $80" that's for everything. Seems like it would cost extra, that's a lot of work on a 2wd blazer. I just never asked.

 

Only if I notice something odd while driving, or if I have work done on the front end suspension or steering.

 

How about in my case, where I've lowered it 2 inches front and back via blocks in the rear and shorter springs up front? Would a shop still be able to align it properly?

 

I would think it is possible for lowered vehicles, just like I found out with my liftted suspension, that a shop can do an alignment. I might be harder for them to get into spec. I was told they had to go to about the extreme of the adjustments to get mine done. I've seen ball joints that are offset so that the alignments can be done. I'm pretty sure it is a solvable problem.