New tires and alignment issue

[MegaHertz]

I had this same issue when I got all new tires at Firestone a couple years back. Alignment was fine but my seat would shake like a massage chair at highway speed. I took it back twice to have the tires re-balanced only to wind up with the same problem. The shop even advertises their Hunter Road Force Balance system.

They finally told me that it's too hard to balance large tires or I had a bent wheel--which is weird, because it wasn't shaking like that before I got my tires replaced there. Then I took my truck to Discount Tire and they got it right on the first try. Don’t know if they have better system or better techs.

 

[JJEH]

Any updates? I'm just seeing this...

This is so frustrating, I know. It took me 14yrs, six franchise dealerships and several independent shops to find a good place. It's just as bad as finding a good doctor.

If the shop doesn't complete the work, doesn't inform you about it but charges you for it, they are a fraud! You should report them to all the places you can.... local news, BBB, if they are a franchisee then you should contact the franchisor, etc. Perhaps even your local DA is interested as well. I'm sick and tired of these kinds of people!

When it comes to tires, I trust Discount Tire here. They have the best prices, replacement certificates with no questions asked, and pretty quick appointments. The one thing they don't do - for whatever reason - is alignments. Good luck and don't let them get away with it.

 

[MegaHertz]

I'm having this same problem now, too. Just got some new 35s installed at local Discount Tire and decided to get an alignment while they were at it. Started driving home and the steering wheel was off center--would drift to the left when holding center--and pulling to right when I let go of the wheel. I took it back twice to have the tires re-balanced and alignment checked. Still had the same problem when I picked it up. After the second time the shop blamed it on a seized tie rod. So, I took it home soaked it in PB Blaster and heated it up with a torch. Finally broke it free and took it back to get adjusted. They still couldn't get it right on the third try. So now I'm looking for an alignment specialist here in town.

 

[06 Dodge]

One thing I learned after buying new wheels is if ya don't check off set/back spacing of the rims your buying it can cause problems when it comes to alignments, just because if fits doe snot mean it has the correct off set numbers compared to factory numbers.

 

[Dean2]

If your old tires wore evenly, and the vehicle didn't pull right or left why would you ever let them change that alignment. They upsell those with every set of new tires and most people just agree. Fully 90% of tire shops F it up on pickups, and mess up about half the cars when they do the alignment, leaving you with a ton of work to find a good alignment shop that can get it right. At this stage look up Thuren alignment specs, and have the shop use those.

 

[Hagar1]

Swap the tires front to back on the side that is pulling and see if the pull changes. I have encountered what can only be described as "radial tire pull."
Swapping tires solved the problem.

 

[Dean2]

Swap the tires front to back on the side that is pulling and see if the pull changes. I have encountered what can only be described as "radial tire pull."
Swapping tires solved the problem.

True, however if the vehicle pulls to one side and goes away when you swap it, it means the tire is defective. You have a belt or more that is/are not aligned square to the direction of travel.

 

[Hagar1]

True, however if the vehicle pulls to one side and goes away when you swap it, it means the tire is defective. You have a belt or more that is/are not aligned square to the direction of travel.

Yes, most times that is correct. I have been involved in a several issues that were similar. One sticks out all these years later.
It was a Chrysler of some sort and when it was driven over about 30 mph it started shaking so badly that it was frightening to drive. Back then, they were Goodyears and naturally Goodyear claimed that they never made a bad tire but it this case, they made 4 of them. I had the mechanic pull the tires and wheels from another car and everything was good. I next had him remove the tires from the wheels and they almost tied themselves in a knot.
New tires solved the problem.
I've seen a few problem similar over the years.
The next step for OP, in my opinion is to find a buddy with similar wheels and tires and make a temporary swap.

 

[Grams]

Not likely the OP’s issue..as that year still had hyd-pwr steering….but my later ‘15 Ram 1500 has electric steering…and despite the fact I’ve taken it back to Firestone for their “Forever-Alignment”… after buying new tires from them… FOUR TIMES….and Each Time I’ve told them this truck Pulls Left and the wheel is slightly Left when going straight down a non-crowned roadway, and that I must Constantly input a Slight-Right effort to remain in my lane and go straight.
I suspect they are ignorant or ill-equipped to follow RAM’s alignment instructions on HOW TO CENTER electronic steering.

I’m going to give them a FIFTH attempt…then I’m going to do my best to have them pay the Ram Dealer (or Ram’s selected front-end shop.)

 

[Dodge trucker]

I would bet they are going to need to given how bad the alignment was.

Alignment and tire balance are not the same
Both can effect handling in different ways.
I'm not familiar with sailun tires. I stay with known brands that have been around for the long haul. When I can afford them I prefer Michelin over any other. But the best bang for the buck tires I have found have been Cooper. They drive well and last reasonably well for their cost. I just got a set of 20" Cooper road and trail put on my truck a few days ago. They had a buy 3 get 1 free promotion going on an I got out for just under a grand.

 

[Grams]

Yes, most times that is correct. I have been involved in a several issues that were similar. One sticks out all these years later.
It was a Chrysler of some sort and when it was driven over about 30 mph it started shaking so badly that it was frightening to drive. Back then, they were Goodyears and naturally Goodyear claimed that they never made a bad tire but it this case, they made 4 of them. I had the mechanic pull the tires and wheels from another car and everything was good. I next had him remove the tires from the wheels and they almost tied themselves in a knot.
New tires solved the problem.
I've seen a few problem similar over the years.
The next step for OP, in my opinion is to find a buddy with similar wheels and tires and make a temporary swap.

That is usually due to a broken belt. In fact, the ‘15 Ram I’m mentioning previously…the day I test drove it …it shook horribly over 40 mph. New tires fixed that. (but it also needed new tie-rods which I later replaced myself and had it aligned)

 

[Hagar1]

Alignment and tire balance are not the same
Both can effect handling in different ways.
I'm not familiar with sailun tires. I stay with known brands that have been around for the long haul. When I can afford them I prefer Michelin over any other. But the best bang for the buck tires I have found have been Cooper. They drive well and last reasonably well for their cost. I just got a set of 20" Cooper road and trail put on my truck a few days ago. They had a buy 3 get 1 free promotion going on an I got out for just under a grand.

Yes, a lot of people confuse alignment and balancing, and yes, both can have an effect in different ways.
It is surprising just how many Techs in today's world can't understand the difference.

Then there are both Techs and owners that never consider the effects of the change in Scrub Radius when playing with suspension.
There is also this thing called "included angle" but it will only be "out" if there is some bent suspension parts.

 

[Hagar1]

That is usually due to a broken belt. In fact, the ‘15 Ram I’m mentioning previously…the day I test drove it …it shook horribly over 40 mph. New tires fixed that. (but it also needed new tie-rods which I later replaced myself and had it aligned)

Yes, broken or "shifted" ......... The ones with the big problem were new Goodyears. Every company makes an "oops" at some point.
Trouble was in a lot of cases, one could check with the tire inflated and not find the problem.
Only showed up when tire was removed from wheel.
Another thing, but this only will show up on a new vehicle is that the bolt pattern for the wheel studs is drilled "off center." That one was a head scratcher.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Remember when the Firestones had a problem with the steel belts breaking and coming thru the sidewall. Three of them did that on my '75 Chrysler Cordoba when Firestones were the OEM tires.

 

[Grams]

Remember when the Firestones had a problem with the steel belts breaking and coming thru the sidewall. Three of them did that on my '75 Chrysler Cordoba when Firestones were the OEM tires.

Unfortunately, Firestone also had issues as OEM providers on new Ford trucks a couple decades ago. I hate that such a long-standing U.S. company suffers from that reputational-disgrace.

When I bought this used ‘15 Ram 1500 last year… during the test-drive that revealed a severe front-end shake… the saleswoman riding in the rt seat suggested the local Firestone dealer for opinion. They condemned the worn Goodyears …and I had already decided to purchase the truck…so to expedite… I authorized new Firestone “Destination” tires.
(odd situation as I look back on it…there I was buying $1K worth of new tires for a truck I had yet-to-own… but It was late in the day …and I had a long way to go to get back home…so I wanted to “get ‘er done”)

Anyway…. I’ve had to return to Firestone stores twice for warranty-replacements on two of those tires…. and twice MORE for re-alignment issues (after) I’d bought their “lifetime” alignment service. My biggest self-disappointment was failing to realize that MY residence is No-Where-Near Any Firestone store. The result is when the “stick-on” weights inside the aluminum wheels are thrown …(likely because the wheel was not properly/completely cleaned when the tires were balanced at Firestone)…. I have to drive 50 miles round-trip and lose a half-day to get them re-balanced.

I could have ..(should have)… bought that truck and waited until I returned home with it 100 miles away…. and had tires installed at my local Discount Tire store or at the local WalMart. Either would have been better for my situation.

 

[Hagar1]

Not likely the OP’s issue..as that year still had hyd-pwr steering….but my later ‘15 Ram 1500 has electric steering…and despite the fact I’ve taken it back to Firestone for their “Forever-Alignment”… after buying new tires from them… FOUR TIMES….and Each Time I’ve told them this truck Pulls Left and the wheel is slightly Left when going straight down a non-crowned roadway, and that I must Constantly input a Slight-Right effort to remain in my lane and go straight.
I suspect they are ignorant or ill-equipped to follow RAM’s alignment instructions on HOW TO CENTER electronic steering.

I’m going to give them a FIFTH attempt…then I’m going to do my best to have them pay the Ram Dealer (or Ram’s selected front-end shop.)

I'd be pushing that shop or finding another. With today's modern alignment equipment, there is no excuse for having the steering wheel off center. By being off center, the rack or steering box is not on the "high spot" this may cause other issues.

 

[Hagar1]

Remember when the Firestones had a problem with the steel belts breaking and coming thru the sidewall. Three of them did that on my '75 Chrysler Cordoba when Firestones were the OEM tires.

I knew of people that died because of those tires.

 

[MegaHertz]

If your old tires wore evenly, and the vehicle didn't pull right or left why would you ever let them change that alignment. They upsell those with every set of new tires and most people just agree. Fully 90% of tire shops F it up on pickups, and mess up about half the cars when they do the alignment, leaving you with a ton of work to find a good alignment shop that can get it right. At this stage look up Thuren alignment specs, and have the shop use those.

I asked for an alignment because I had just recently replaced the passenger strut top mount myself. I was able to adjust the toe in my garage to get it driving mostly straight again but wanted the caster and camber checked by a shop. But it drove perfectly fine before that.

 

[MegaHertz]

Not likely the OP’s issue..as that year still had hyd-pwr steering….but my later ‘15 Ram 1500 has electric steering…and despite the fact I’ve taken it back to Firestone for their “Forever-Alignment”… after buying new tires from them… FOUR TIMES….and Each Time I’ve told them this truck Pulls Left and the wheel is slightly Left when going straight down a non-crowned roadway, and that I must Constantly input a Slight-Right effort to remain in my lane and go straight.
I suspect they are ignorant or ill-equipped to follow RAM’s alignment instructions on HOW TO CENTER electronic steering.

I’m going to give them a FIFTH attempt…then I’m going to do my best to have them pay the Ram Dealer (or Ram’s selected front-end shop.)

I walked around my truck today and could see that the camber on the front wheels was jacked up. The driver side is running some noticeable negative camber while the passenger side is zeroed or maybe slightly positive. Also, I can see that the caster is off, too. The passenger wheel is positioned further toward the rear of the wheel well, whereas the driver side is pretty much centered front and back. I'm going to take it back to Discount Tire again to show them because there is no way that is in spec. Either their alignment machine is faulty or the tech doesn't know what he's doing. Based on my interactions so far, I'm guessing it's the latter.

 

[Hagar1]

True, however if the vehicle pulls to one side and goes away when you swap it, it means the tire is defective. You have a belt or more that is/are not aligned square to the direction of travel.

Yup, that is true but getting someone to listen is going to be a problem.