Vehicle maintenance is something that many people try to sidestep, especially stuff that doesn’t cause the vehicle to stop working. One example of this is shock absorbers. Shock absorbers should be replaced every 50000 to 100000 miles. So while researching shock absorbers, a question kept on popping up in the results: do you need to align tires after replacing shocks?
Vehicle manufacturers recommend that the tire alignment be done after maintenance to any road holding parts of a vehicle, which is why service centers also suggest it. Tire alignment is not necessarily needed aftershock absorber replacement unless steering or suspension parts were also replaced.
Shock absorbers are crucial to the road holding capabilities of any vehicle, so when the time comes to replace them, it is suggested to replace them in pairs, meaning both the front and the back at the same time. The choice of doing tire alignment aftershock replacement will be yours. This article will give more insights on this highly debated topic.
When To Do Alignment After Shock Replacement
Wheel alignment or tire alignment, as it is also known, needs to be done after replacing shocks when the following situations occur:
When Tyres Are Still New
New tires are a huge investment, and running the risk of one or more tires running uneven on the road surface and causing less of a lifespan on them, is not worth getting in a debate of whether to do tire alignment or not. Uneven wear on tires occurs due to many factors, but misalignment is one of the biggest.
It is good planning to schedule the replacement of shock absorbers at the same time as the replacement of tires. In that way, the wheel alignment is done at the same time, which leads to cost-saving because you pay for tire alignment only once. Many people prefer preventative maintenance and replace specific components before they actually fail.
Traveling On Roads That Are Bad
After replacing the shock absorber, vehicles traveling on bad roads will need a tire alignment check. Severe road conditions like potholes can cause misalignment leading to damages in other parts of the steering or the suspension system. People notice their vehicles not staying in a straight line, and that is one of the signs of misalignment.
Hitting holes when traveling on roads or even dirt roads could potentially mean that the wheel alignment is out and that, in turn, means other components wear out faster than they should. It is essential to always check the wheel alignment if the vehicle does not run in a straight line when the steering wheel is left for a brief moment.
When A Vehicle Is Still Under A Car Care Plan
A tire alignment will also need to be done whenever a vehicle is still under a maintenance plan and requires a shock absorber replacement. Any work not approved by the manufacturer will cause the maintenance plan to expire. All work done to a vehicle needs to be done according to the manufacturer’s requirements.
Suppose any work or improper maintenance is done to a vehicle in the warranty period that does not conform to the manufacturers’ requirement. In that case, it will lead to the warranty expiring, so it is essential to service and maintain the car to the correct specifications, including tire alignment aftershock replacements.
If Steering Or Suspension Parts Are Replaced With Shocks
When steering parts or suspension parts are replaced at the same time as shock absorbers, then the tire alignment needs to be done. It is because these parts are connected to the components that affect the tire’s alignment. Tire alignment could be off due to any of these steering or suspension parts.
Whenever work is done on the steering arms, control arms, tie rod ends or ball joints, and other steering or suspension parts, then it is of great importance to do the tire alignment because it will be out. If tire alignment is not done, it could lead to extra wear of the various steering or suspension parts and uneven wear to the tires.
Tips To See If Tyre Alignment Is Needed AfterShock Fitment
Tire replacements are costly, and it hurts the pocket even more if one discovers that uneven tire wear was caused by not getting the tire alignment checked after doing maintenance like shock replacement on a vehicle. Here are some tips to remember when it comes to tire alignment:
- Ensure that the tire pressure is correct; incorrect tire pressure can also cause a vehicle not to run straight, giving a false impression that the tire alignment is out. It can also lead to uneven wear.
- Ensure that tires are correctly secured after maintenance, then take the vehicle for a test drive. Leave the steering wheel for a brief moment while driving at low speed on a straight road.
- If the vehicle pulls to the left or the right, the tire alignment is out, and it needs to be done. The tire alignment is sometimes already out before any maintenance is even done.
- Look for signs that there is uneven wear on the tires often, use a tire gauge to make sure that the treads wear evenly, and if not, it may be time to do tire alignment. Remember that if holes, curbs, or other obstacles are hit on the road, it can affect the tire alignment.
If a vehicle does not have the same road holding capabilities as when it was new, it means that some parts might be worn out; that is why service centers attempt to restore vehicles to factory specifications.
Conclusion
Research has shown that there is no chance of disturbing the tire alignment settings when replacing the shock absorbers alone. It is still a good idea to do the tire alignment because it brings the vehicle back to factory specification. Most service centers prefer to do tire alignment because they want to prevent comebacks and uneven tire wear.
All this means that doing the tire alignment after replacing the shocks prevents unwanted issues. It gives a person peace of mind in knowing that the vehicle is as close to factory specifications as it can get.