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Having 4 tires installed. Should I use the 2 or 4 wheel alignment? 1.) 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham Solid rear axle, not independent suspension. What, if any improvement does a 4 wheel alignment provide? I have not aligned the wheels in over seventeen years, and all tires (4) wear evenly. All replies relating to alignment are very much appreciated.
1.) What would the typical cost be for mounting and balancing of 4 tires? Also, I have the TR418C (Chrome) valve stems (2"). Can I keep the same valve stems? There has not been any issue with them, none for ten (10) years. There seems to be not any that carry the 2" any longer, rather the 1 1/4 (Slime). Could any direct me where I can acquire or purchase the TR418C. They are sold in lots of 50 for $49.95 but I do not need fifty. All input regarding the aforesaid is appreciated.
If all tires wear evenly & you're not changing wheel size I would get neither a two wheel alignment nor a four wheel alignment - regardless of how many years it's been w/o an alignment.
If all tires wear evenly & you're not changing wheel size I would get neither a two wheel alignment nor a four wheel alignment - regardless of how many years it's been w/o an alignment.
* Sorry, I just finished up changing the filter, gasket, and fluid in the transmission. Never fails that I get splashed with the pan, even on a lift. Anyways, thank you for the input. I had the wheels and tires checked and the service manager said I need new tires due to a vibration. He said water gets in the tires causing hard spots. The tires are nine years old and they have 5/32. I know nothing of tread wear, if the 5/32 is good or bad. Would the balancing and new tires possibly eliminate the vibration?
Last edited by synoptic12; Jun 14, 2019 at 11:45 AM.
I don't know where you can get new ones, but I think the chrome sleeve can be slipped off the rubber stem and installed onto a 'regular' stem.
*Possibly removable, unknown as yet.
Actually, I just found some on Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/PER-4350000...75.c100623.m-1
Do I need to change the valve stems after nine years? There's nothing wrong with them and they look new: no leaks and the rubber is pristine. Thank you very much for your assistance.
The tires are nine years old and I believe they have 3/32.
You have a little bit of wear left on the tires. When tires hit 2/32" they're pretty far gone.
Originally Posted by synoptic12
Do I need to change the valve stems after nine years?
Like the tires, if they aren't worn why replace them? You could buy a set of tires for your car today and it wouldn't be unheard of to get tires that were already 3 or 4 years old. If the tires still look good and aren't worn irregularly then keep them.
Would the balancing and new tires possibly eliminate the vibration?
Short answer, yes. It's conceivable w/ tires of this age they have developed minor flat spots, minor cord distortion, very minor sidewall collapse - nothing of a serious nature but enough to offset your previous tire balancing - enough to create some vibration from tires not balanced. If you elect to keep the tires you have, have the tires/wheels balanced and that's all. If you elect to have your wheels rotated, have them balance all your wheels and call it a day - you should be good-to-go.
Regarding the purchase of new tires. 'If' you elect to purchase new tires, all tires have a manufacturer's date stamp on them. Purchase tires which have a date stamp for 2019.
I had the wheels and tires checked and the service manager said I need new tires due to a vibration. He said water gets in the tires causing hard spots. The tires are nine years old and they have 5/32. I know nothing of tread wear, if the 5/32 is good or bad. Would the balancing and new tires possibly eliminate the vibration?
First of all, I'd get a new mechanic. How does "vibration" cause the need for four new tires? I'd expect a vibration to cause uneven wear on ONE tire, the one that was vibrating, not all four. Unless all four are vibrating, in which case you probably have a serious problem that isn't related to the tires. And what caused the vibration? It could be due to things besides an unbalanced tire. It seems to me the FIRST thing the shop should do is check the balance on the worn tire. If it's balanced, the problem is some other part of the suspension and not the wheel. I think this guy just wants to sell you four new tires.
And what about this "water in the tire" comment? What kind of nonsense is that? Where is the water coming from? Yes, there's some moisture in the air when you inflate the tire initially, but it doesn't condense and cause problems. At least not that I've ever heard. Like I said, I'd find a new mechanic.
As far as the 5/32" tread depth, that's ok. The rule of thumb, as oldcutlass says is 2/32", and the classic simple test is the penny test. Stick a penny, Lincoln's head in, into the tread, and sight from the side. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time for new tires as the distance from the edge of the penny to the top of his head is 2/32".
Having said all of the above, you said your tires are 9 years old. The rule of thumb is 10 years old before replacing the tires regardless of wear. Nine is close enough to 10 that it's probably worth getting new ones for that reason alone. But make sure that, whatever you do, you find the cause of that vibration.
You have a little bit of wear left on the tires. When tires hit 3/32" they're pretty far gone.
Like the tires, if they aren't worn why replace them? You could buy a set of tires for your car today and it wouldn't be unheard of to get tires that were already 3 or 4 years old. If the tires still look good and aren't worn irregularly then keep them.
I agree with you but what of the vibration? Is that not associated with tires with so-called 'hard spots'. Everything else is o.k.> wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints. idler arm, and drag link. It would only stand to reason that the tires could be the problem, no?
Short answer, yes. It's conceivable w/ tires of this age they have developed minor flat spots, minor cord distortion, very minor sidewall collapse - nothing of a serious nature but enough to offset your previous tire balancing - enough to create some vibration from tires not balanced. If you elect to keep the tires you have, have the tires/wheels balanced and that's all. If you elect to have your wheels rotated, have them balance all your wheels and call it a day - you should be good-to-go.
Regarding the purchase of new tires. 'If' you elect to purchase new tires, all tires have a manufacturer's date stamp on them. Purchase tires which have a date stamp for 2019.
*Thanks very much. Had the right front balanced and the service manager and tech said the tires are the problem, not the wheels. Why waste time in balancing all the wheels when the tires are nine years old and most likely developed flat spots as you allude to. I do not believe there is sidewall collapse, but then again I would not know. Just purchasing (4) Uniroyal Tiger Paw AWR II 205/70R/14: Difficult to find a tire brand with that size. I have the Michelin Harmony on now but Michelin does not make that size any longer. Michelin directed me to Uniroyal. The General makes the Altamax but the service manager said the Tiger Paw was a better tire.
Most places will not even service a nine year old tire. They are probably out of balance and have flat spots if the car had been sitting for a while. I would replace the valves, they are cheap and like tires, overtime they will dry out and crack. A 2 wheel alignment is all you need, there are no real adjustments in the rear end on these old cars.
Most places will not even service a nine year old tire. They are probably out of balance and have flat spots if the car had been sitting for a while. I would replace the valves, they are cheap and like tires, overtime they will dry out and crack. A 2 wheel alignment is all you need, there are no real adjustments in the rear end on these old cars.
* The car is run daily, never being idle at any time except in winter for inclement weather. The chrome valve stems are fine and the rubber is not cracked. I have the 2" TR418C which are hard to find. I do no know if the Slime 1 1/4" shall suffice. i have the rally wheels, what do you think: fit or not? Thanks very much for your input. Most likely, I'll have the new tires balanced and mounted, drive the car and see if any alignment is required.
I don't know where you can get new ones, but I think the chrome sleeve can be slipped off the rubber stem and installed onto a 'regular' stem.
* Thank you very much for the accurate information as to the sleeve (chrome) being 'slipped off'. In fact, the sleeve does slip off which I was not aware of. I did not pay too much attention to that aspect, then decided to see if the chrome sleeves do slip off. "They do", as you stated. Would you go with the 1 1/4" Slime or the 2" stems? I have the Rally SS III wheels with 2 1/2 inch trim rings.
I am not sure about the exact length, but I like mine to be long enough to get an air chuck onto the end without touching (potentially scratching) the trim ring and short enough so it's not sticking way out.
I am not sure about the exact length, but I like mine to be long enough to get an air chuck onto the end without touching (potentially scratching) the trim ring and short enough so it's not sticking way out.
*Thanks much, agree with you. I'll stay with the 2".
Do I need 2 or 4 Wheel Alignment?
