question about auto tires

[dan filipi]

We have a few mechanics here so I wanted to ask about tires on our suburban.

It was pulling to the right so we got it aligned.
After that it pulled to the left.
My wife took it back and they printed the alignment readings from the rack which says its in spec.
They say the tires are causing it to pull.
Of course they want us to buy new tires from them at almost $800.

I've never heard of tires causing a pull, is this bs?

 

[joedrum]

once the tires get cut in bad alinement....and then alined the tires can pull the otherway.....ithink it would be best to put the rear tires on the front and front to the rear...the rear tires sould be cut right for the right alinement....maybe that will work if it dont then there paper printout is wrong and there full of it :mrgreen:

 

[dan filipi]

Im wondering now if the rotate at the last alignment is causing the pull. Im going to get the alignment printout to see if it needed an adjustment.

2 Things that drive me crazy on a car is a squeak inside and pulling.
I hate to get tires, these still have 1/2 the tread left.

 

[AApple]

Ties can absolutely cause a pull to one side. As Joe says, swap the front/rears, and see if that makes any difference. If it does, then buck up and get some tars!
If it doesn't, then you could have a brake problem, or the alignment shop you're using is not doing a proper alignment.

Did it just suddenly start pulling, or did it just slowly get noticeable? If it was fine one day, then you noticed a pull after a few days, or the next day, I'd suspect a suspension issue....bushing, ball joint, wheel bearing, etc.

 

[dan filipi]

Good points to consider.

I just can't see the tires causing a pull, all 4 are nice and flat, no odd wear or cupping and 1/2 tread left.

Its hard to say if it started suddenly, my wife drives it every day. One day I drove it and noticed the pull.
I'll check out the suspension brakes and stuff also and prolly try another shop.

 

[slabghost]

Low tire pressure can also cause it to pull.

 

[scdmarx]

As others have said, tires worn a certain way can cause a pull. But there are other things that can cause pull too. You can swap the tires left and right and see if anything changed. Or swap front to rear and see if anything changed. I've dabbled in alignment, but I don't really do them. But I know that a good alignment guy can compensate for alignment that won't come into spec. or for some reason the specs won't cure a problem. But there's only so much room to play with. Many shops have late enough equipment that will almost align the car for you. And the younger guys may not have the experience to compensate.
If you're not sure, there's nothing wrong with getting a second opinion before dumping a grand into a new set of tires.

It does sorta strike me a little odd that it pulled right at first, then after alignment it pulled left. How hard of a curb did you bounce off of anyway?

 

[54Greybeard]

Swap the fronts side to side, if the pull goes away, use up those tires. I was a dealer tech until 3 years ago. Saw that more than once. If side to side doesn't change anything I'd be suspicious of the alignment.

 

[mcgovern61]

How hard of a curb did you bounce off of anyway?

:smilie_happy: :smilie_happy:

My front end was pulling after alignment and wheel bearings. Turned out the strut was bad (stuck and barely moved). The stuck strut was causing the car to pull left and it was suddenly.

 

[Omega Man]

I think you should just swap out the spare with the front left tire, the left rear with the front right, then switch the spare back with the front left, put helium in the front tires, and hydrogen in the rear...and pour yourself a drink.

:mrgreen:

~O~

 

[sledge]

yep......I think Joe hit the nail on the head for sure.

 

[dan filipi]

...and pour yourself a drink.

:mrgreen:

~O~

I'll drink to that