Tire Shop can't align because of particular rim

bricewise · May 13, 2013

So had a friend attempt to get his truck aligned after he put on his lift and basically the one tire shop in his area said they couldn't align the vehicle because the lasers they use wouldn't attach to his particular rim. I've never heard of that. Have you guys? Or was tire guy just being lazy? I don't know the specific brand of rim but if you need it I can get it from him.

powerSmokin · May 13, 2013

That is prob true, happens more than you think.

CTFFEMT · May 13, 2013

Yup...happened to me. Put my lift, new wheels and tires on, drove to the alignment shop and the paddles wouldn't sit right on my wheels. I had to drive home, put the stock ones back on, and drove back to the garage

dzldoctor · May 13, 2013

yep happens a fair amt

tbsimmons · May 13, 2013

Tell them to throw the lasers in the garbage and use the bubble.

mint-6oh · May 14, 2013

Depends on the shop and what alignment rack they have. Hunter makes adapters that actually grab the tire and just uses the "feet" on the target to center it in the wheel. You can also let some air out of the tires to get the sensors mounted if the tires are tight to the wheel lip.

G Racing · May 14, 2013

mint-6oh said:
Depends on the shop and what alignment rack they have. Hunter makes adapters that actually grab the tire and just uses the "feet" on the target to center it in the wheel. You can also let some air out of the tires to get the sensors mounted if the tires are tight to the wheel lip.

:whs:

one2nine · May 24, 2013

You'll get a more accurate alignment off of the wheel over the tire though. I too have to put my stock wheels on for alignments

mint-6oh · May 24, 2013

You dont actually mount the sensor to the tire. It just grabs the tire to hold the target against the wheel. The "feet" of the target center it in the wheel. You get the same results as putting stock wheels back on without the aggravation. This all assuming the shop has the correct equipment and knows how to use it.