Wheel alignment?

[lockwoodjd]

I've got 13,000 on my truck and the service agent just asked me if I wanted to get a recommended wheel alignment. I haven't noticed any pulling or uneven wear. I haven't done any crazy offloading, or hit deep potholes or gone over large rocks, etc.. asking you experts- Is this really necessary? TIA.

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[josiahg52]

I've got 13,000 on my truck and the service agent just asked me if I wanted to get a recommended wheel alignment. I haven't noticed any pulling or uneven wear. I haven't done any crazy offloading, or hit deep potholes or gone over large rocks, etc.. asking you experts- Is this really necessary? TIA.

I just have 4000 miles on mine and didn't notice anything. I like to run very low toe-in on the front so I took it my alignment guy and it was pretty bad from the factory. I feel better knowing what it is aligned to and that it's going to help minimize tire wear. I have the alignment rechecked every 10k miles, every other 5k tire rotation.

Necessary? I say yes. Having the dealer do it? Absolutely not. Factory alignment specifications are way too wide for my taste. Find an alignment shop and probably pay less (my guy charges $70-100) and get it done right.

There's a couple alignment threads with detailed numbers.

 

[sscarter]

I've got 13,000 on my truck and the service agent just asked me if I wanted to get a recommended wheel alignment. I haven't noticed any pulling or uneven wear. I haven't done any crazy offloading, or hit deep potholes or gone over large rocks, etc.. asking you experts- Is this really necessary? TIA.

"Recommended wheel alignment"? Is this officially recommended by Toyota for 6th-gen? I've never seen anything about frequent alignments in the 5th-gen maintenance recommendations.

I have 180K on my 2019 and have never had an alignment after the initial one following my installation of a modest, front-leveling lift when the vehicle was new. My tires have always worn evenly and have had long life. I don't do any rock crawling but have been on plenty of rough terrain in the back-country. The alignment has remained good.

 

[lockwoodjd]

"Recommended wheel alignment"? Is this officially recommended by Toyota for 6th-gen? I've never seen anything about frequent alignments in the 5th-gen maintenance recommendations.

I have 180K on my 2019 and have never had an alignment after the initial one following my installation of a modest, front-leveling lift when the vehicle was new. My tires have always worn evenly and have had long life. I don't do any rock crawling but have been on plenty of rough terrain in the back-country. The alignment has remained good.

Thank you, I told him that I didn't think I needed a wheel alignment, but if he saw anything sus to call me. He did not call.

 

[SteveS]

Its an upsell. I would have asked where that is on the official Toyota maintenance like for 13K. Its not. Now, if you had uneven wear, it might be worth looking at. When I get new tires, I'll check the wear pattern carefully a for a few months before. If even, no alignment needed.

If you want reassurance you can always get it done as stated earlier but I hear some shops do not have the correct data for the alignment machines and the 4Runner.

 

[lockwoodjd]

Its an upsell. I would have asked where that is on the official Toyota maintenance like for 13K. Its not. Now, if you had uneven wear, it might be worth looking at. When I get new tires, I'll check the wear pattern carefully a for a few months before. If even, no alignment needed.

If you want reassurance you can always get it done as stated earlier but I hear some shops do not have the correct data for the alignment machines and the 4Runner.

yeah, I just looked at the maintenance plan and also did a Google search, alignment is not even listed as scheduled maintenance. Now I'm just annoyed that they came at me with that shit.

 

[MikeK]

"Recommended wheel alignment"? Is this officially recommended by Toyota for 6th-gen? I've never seen anything about frequent alignments in the 5th-gen maintenance recommendations.

I have 180K on my 2019 and have never had an alignment after the initial one following my installation of a modest, front-leveling lift when the vehicle was new. My tires have always worn evenly and have had long life. I don't do any rock crawling but have been on plenty of rough terrain in the back-country. The alignment has remained good.

Wheel alignment should be checked every couple of years or 12,000-15,000 miles. That's just a fact with all cars, it's not just a 4runner thing.
Does that mean an alignment is always needed at those intervals? No
Driving conditions are a big factor, but I can guarantee that at 180k miles, your vehicle can use an alignment. Suspension and steering components wear out and that wear affects the geometry/ angles.

 

[MikeK]

yeah, I just looked at the maintenance plan and also did a Google search, alignment is not even listed as scheduled maintenance. Now I'm just annoyed that they came at me with that shit.

Wheel alignment, on any car, is recommended to be checked every couple of years or 12,000-15,000 miles.
That doesn't necessarily mean your vehicle needs an alignment, but as components wear over time, it's good to have it checked because some angles can be out of spec.

 

[L-2]

Good question, Post 1. I suspect the "upsell" from service advisors may be getting worse. I suppose it's the job to make the dealership, the techs, and themselves more money by getting us to spend more of our money. Good job in saying no.

If it was me (my TrailHunter is only at ~10,000 miles right now) I'd have said no, too. Here's what and when I'd want a wheel alignment:
-new tire time; that would likely be ~35,000 to 40,000 miles, maybe even more miles.
-uneven/weird wear on existing tires.
-felt pulling when vehicle should otherwise track at a straight line.
-steering wheel now off-center to drive in a straight line.
All this might result from known large bumps &/or off-roading with significant bumps, impacts, probably resulting in the above things I already indicated.

There's more to say but I'll stop here as I recently just had our non-Toyota serviced and sympathize with Post 1's feelings.

 

[sscarter]

Wheel alignment, on any car, is recommended to be checked every couple of years or 12,000-15,000 miles.
That doesn't necessarily mean your vehicle needs an alignment, but as components wear over time, it's good to have it checked because some angles can be out of spec.

YMMV; I've never found frequent alignment checks (each of which costs money) necessary. I watch tire wear and as long as it's even and there are no other indications of alignment issues I don't worry about it. That's worked well for me over the past 50+ years of driving.

 

[MikeK]

YMMV; I've never found frequent alignment checks (each of which costs money) necessary. I watch tire wear and as long as it's even and there are no other indications of alignment issues I don't worry about it. That's worked well for me over the past 50+ years of driving.

Those are key visual indicators and many people wouldn't want to spend the money to have it checked, but as a former alignment tech, angles can get out of spec simply from worn components and will most often affect the handling of the vehicle, despite no visual symptoms like you described.

 

[sscarter]

Those are key visual indicators and many people wouldn't want to spend the money to have it checked, but as a former alignment tech, angles can get out of spec simply from worn components and will most often affect the handling of the vehicle, despite no visual symptoms like you described.

Agreed, which is why I mentioned "other indications of alignment issues."

 

[127.0.0.1]

does it hurt no

is it an upsell yes

if you've never had an alignment is it good to get one yes

if tire wear appears normal
and it doesn't drive like an itchy bear cub
on the highway can you skip it yes

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