Do we need wheel balance our alignment when replacing a tire?

(2011-01-07 15:10:19)

1. Blue T Says: According to my car manual, they say that we need to do wheel balance whenever we replace a new tire, but some people told me we need to do wheel alignment instead. So I was wondering which one should I do ? wheel balance or wheel alignment? which one is more critical?

2. Country Boy Says: When ever the tire is dismounted from the wheel it should always be electronically re-balanced. Changing a tire off the wheel doesn't effect wheel alignment. If all four tires are wearing evenly and you keep them rotated you do not need a wheel alignment.

As soon as conveniently possible please tell "some" people they have no clue about suspensions, wheel balancing and alignments.

3. srp365 Says: You should always balance a new tire. Any time a tire is removed and put back on a wheel it should be balanced. Otherwise it will certainly vibrate or wobble. Balancing is when they spin your wheel and tires really fast on that machine, and then they add little weights on them to make them spin smoothly.

An alignment is different. This is how your tires are "aimed" on the car. If your tires are not aligned properly, your steering can pull to the right or left, you can have uneven tread wear on the edges of your tires, and lower fuel economy. Typically, your car is put on a special lift (with all the tires on the car) and they put sensors on your wheels. The computer reads the sensors, and tells the tech how much and which direction to adjust each wheel so they are aligned properly.

Rough roads, poor driving habits, even hitting the brakes hard WHILE going over a speed bump can knock your wheels out of alignment... Maybe not once but repeatedly this can wear out your suspension. Depending on mileage and abuse your suspension has, it may be time for it. I do it once a year and I beat the crap out of cars.

4. emkay4597 Says: i would always balance the wheel after a new tire,
the alignment maybe if its what destroyed the tire in the first place. if not the alignment will be as bad or good as it was before.

5. Frankie Says: Always balance when you get a new tire. The alignment is only necessary if you are having problems with irregular tire wear.
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