Wheel Alignment

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Zeon

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#160493 8-Jan-2015 16:54

Hey guys,
My tyres and each wearing more on the outside edge than the rest of the tyre and I hear a squeeking noise when I drive along. I'm guessing my wheel alignment is out?

I got a quote from the mechanic next to my office for wheel alignment and they said $295. From what I have seen in ads etc. this seems really high. What should be the kind of price I should be paying and any suggestions around the Mt. Wellington area to visit?

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#1210677 8-Jan-2015 16:56

$295 for an alignment is very high, my last full service cost less than that. Shop around.

DjShadow

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#1210678 8-Jan-2015 16:57

Keep an eye on sites like Grabone, I picked up a wheel alignment at TyrePlus for $31

timmmay

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#1210680 8-Jan-2015 16:58

Tony's Tyres, $59 to $89.

Jase2985

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#1210682 8-Jan-2015 16:59

you shouldn't be paying more than $100 for a wheel alignment and that's at a push/race car alignment

TLD

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#1210690 8-Jan-2015 17:18

When was the last WOF. When the next one is due, ask the guys about the tire wear and get them to have a close look at the front suspension. What sort of vehicle? What components control the wheel alignment, like anti roll bar rubbers. If they wear then the wheels will toe-out under breaking and wear the inside tread. Just think a wee bit about cause and effect rather than going straight to wheel alignment.

Oh, and that is way too much IMO.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

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#1210724 8-Jan-2015 18:06

when that happened to me the steering joint was worn (sorry I know it should have a better name but it was steering related and it was a ball and socket thing)

Jase2985

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#1210744 8-Jan-2015 18:41

tie rod?

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Inphinity

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#1210771 8-Jan-2015 19:35

Is the $295 a deal for like 10 alignments or was it for far more than just alignment? That is crazy expensive. I have paid half that for custom alignments for track cars. I would normally expect to pay $60 - $80 for an alignment when not part of a special/promotion etc. Have paid as little as $30 ($150 for 5 alignments) when in a deal/promo.

Zeon

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#1210779 8-Jan-2015 19:54

Thank guys, the car is a 2005 Mazda 3 (Axela) and was last serviced in March 2014 with a service due this March. I may just get the alignment from a cheaper place and get the mechanic to take a look during the next service!

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RunningMan

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#1210791 8-Jan-2015 20:28

I'd suggest getting the car checked to establish why the sudden wear, otherwise you'll pay money for an alignment, then still suffer issues due to whatever is broken / worn in the first place.

Generally speaking, alignment goes out for one of two reasons: impact damage, or a worn/damaged suspension part.

Feathering of the outer edges is often cause by too much toe in, but a squeeking noise and uneven tyre wear could also be caused by something like a dragging brake calliper.

IMO, worth getting a confirmed diagnosis before going straight to a fix.

scuwp

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#1210819 8-Jan-2015 21:23

Wheel alignment - $80 tops. But that won't be causing the noise. Other possibility is the tyres are under inflated (are they wearing on the inside edge as well?) If it squeals when driving along, but stops when you put you foot on the brakes, that is normally the indicators on the brake pads telling you they need replacing. I wonder if the mechanic next door was quoting for more than the wheel alignment? If not he is a crook.

Generally wheel alignments should be done around every 10,000km. The small price is worth it to save the tyres.

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Jase2985

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#1210822 8-Jan-2015 21:27

a good alignment tech should be able to spot what is wrong and then inform you of that so you can fix it.

TLD

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#1210842 8-Jan-2015 22:38

What about tire pressure? If the tires are wearing out towards the edges, then that could under inflation. Google says 35PSI

In fact try Google with Mazda 3 Axela uneven front tire wear. I bet there are forums specifically for that car with folk nearly as geeky as GZ Denizens.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

michaelmurfy

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#1210864 8-Jan-2015 23:22

Get the wheels aligned and then swap each of the 4 tyres out in a clockwise rotation every 3mo - it'll prolong the life of them and prevent random wears like this.

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nakedmolerat

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#1210867 8-Jan-2015 23:30

Are you sure that is just for wheel alignment?

$295 for wheel alignment is crazy. Bridgestone will do for $40.

I suspect they quoted the price to fix the issue? Misaligned tyres will not cause the noise.

If it's something need to be fixed, you shouldn't wait until March.

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