rear alignment for 04MM??

[barrytuneup]

I am planning to buy 4 original Goodrich KDKM tires(stock) on Thurs AM at Town Fair Tire in Danbury CT(they have 72 stores in New England) They are the only shop in NY or CT that can get me 4 original new Goodrich exact size and model. I have an 04 silver birch MM with original Goodrichs and 24k. The fronts are still good but the rears have the MM trademark--the middles are worn out. They gave me a price of $950 OTD(mount/computer bal/valves/tax/recycle old tires/labor/ft and and REAR alignment. What is a REAR Alignment? I never heard of this and do I need it?? I had 2 other shops in my area quote me Cooper ft and Goodrich rears and also stated a REAR alignment and both shops wanted 1200.00 for the job. I'm going to Town Fair with the check pre written which they said is perfect, no extra anything. Does this car need the REAR aligment? Thanks and does anyone get these tires cheaper?

[SpartaPerformance]

Not really a rear alignment it's a four way. Obviously the rear of a Panther is not adjustable but the new alignment machines use all four sensors to align the vehicle. The sensors on the rear measure rear center line and align the fronts to a "square" rear.

[Spectragod]

Ask the shop service writer to explain how they align the rear wheels. Since they are not able to be aligned, his answer should be quite interesting.....

[SC Cheesehead]

The rear alignment has me puzzled, never heard of that on a Marauder before.

BTW, why are you going with OEM BFGs as replacement tires, there are so many better aftermarket options out there.

[ReefBlueCoupe]

The salesman probably just didn't know what he was talking about. With a lot of IRS or other adjustable rear suspensions in a lot of cars today, it's probably something he sees on a normal basis.

The only way to "square" the front suspension of a Marauder laterally with the rear is with a K-member adjustment. Otherwise the front adjustments are standard as with most vehicles: toe, caster, and camber - none of which move the front suspension laterally.

[fastblackmerc]

There is NO rear alignment on a MM. Just had my alignment done 2 weeks ago.

[Krytin]

Everybody needs to re-read post #2 and let it sink in a little!

[SC Cheesehead]

Everybody needs to re-read post #2 and let it sink in a little!

Understand the four corner sensors, but the OP specifically said REAR alignment, which would be applicable on an IRS car, but not a MM.

[Krytin]

I honestly don't thing the OP or the salesman he is dealing with know what they are talking about.
Most big tire shops have the alignment rack that checks the alignment on all four wheels regardless of any actual adjustments that can be made - and tht's what the OP is getting.
If the front end on a car is within alignment specs and the tech takes the car off of the machine w/out making any adjustment he's still going to charge you for the alignment. If a Maruader gets put on a four wheel alignment machine it's going to pay for a four wheel alignment because the rear is being checked. If there is damage to the rear suspension or frame it will show up on the alignment.

[SC Cheesehead]

I honestly don't thing the OP or the salesman he is dealing with know what they are talking about.
Most big tire shops have the alignment rack that checks the alignment on all four wheels regardless of any actual adjustments that can be made - and tht's what the OP is getting.
If the front end on a car is within alignment specs and the tech takes the car off of the machine w/out making any adjustment he's still going to charge you for the alignment. If a Maruader gets put on a four wheel alignment machine it's going to pay for a four wheel alignment because the rear is being checked. If there is damage to the rear suspension or frame it will show up on the alignment.

Good points, and +1 on getting charged, gonna happen whether the tech turns a wrench or not.

[Joe Walsh]

Many shops in my area offer both a 2 wheel and a 4 wheel alignment service, with the 4 wheel alignment service being more expensive.

[rayjay]

$950 - $1200 :eek: oh my aching back side, you're gonna need a proctologist...

[LeoVampire]

all you can do is a thrust angle alignment max the guy @ the counter just goofed in what he quoted.

BTW do they have road force ballencing? I looked it up on line and did not see them listed for it.

[barrytuneup]

just spoke to Town Fair tire this pm and they received the tires, they said no rear alignment is needed. Now the price OTD is 930.00 Does anyone pay near this price or is it a ripoff?/ Tire rack with all the extras is more!

[JOEMERC]

Tell him to check front cv boots too ,lol. I would stay away from that place .he wanted to see how much he could take advantage i guess.no rear alignment on fixed rear axle.

[silver bullet]

When I brought my last set (about two years ago) from BJ's wholesale- in Derby, they were about the same. Danbury? The one in the Berkshire shopping center? Never heard any comments good or bad about them:)

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

Tires are about $225-250 each right now. That is a fair price

[barrytuneup]

thanks for the info. The Town Fair Tire is in Brookfield CT. near Stu Leonard on Federal RD. I'll be there at 8:00 am Thurs. I'll let all know how it went

[CooLManZilla]

Bought 2 new fronts BFG's in Jan from the Rack
$320.00 delivered
I forget what the labor was to mount, balance, and do the alignment $180 me thinks

[rayjay]

Glad I don't live where you guys do. Mounting 2 tires and alignment is $90 at my local FLM store. I'll need new fronts next. Hopefully the Rack will throw a sale.

[barrytuneup]

guys, got the tires this Am at Town Fair. No extra "bump ups, got ya"s etc. The price was 930.00 complete with tax/computer balance/mount/recycling/dispose old tires/shop supplies/new valves/ ft end alignment with "back wheels tracking". Whatever that is I watched as a knowledgable mechanic told me everything he was doing. He said the backs don't get adjusted but uses an infrared beam to track along with the front alignment.(whatever) The front only needed minor adj. I am very satisfied with the job and recommend Town Fair. They even have free rotation. Our cars don't really need it/side to side. I even used my Chase card for 1% back along with all the other rewards I get from Chase. All in all, a great experience. The only glitch was the installer did not know there are 2 different sizes until I told him. I got the goodrich originals- KDHM or something. I gave the installer $5.00 and the alignment man 10.00. Check their web site. They are only in CT,Mass R.I. Vermont.

[SC Cheesehead]

Did they check the alignment against carfixer's specs? If not, you'll probably see accelerated wear on the inside edge of the front tires.

[barrytuneup]

he printed out a computerized B and A reading compared to man. specs. Everything seemed in range

[fastblackmerc]

he printed out a computerized B and A reading compared to man. specs. Everything seemed in range

What range? Factory range?

Like Chesse said, if it's set to factory specs you'll be lucky to get 10-15K out of your front tires. Search for carfixers specs. You tires and pocketbook will love you.

[fastblackmerc]

Here are carfixers specs and the reason to use them:

"Courtesy of carfixer

The inside edge wear of the front tires is caused by 2 things: negative camber and negative toe (toe out). Caster is not a tire wearing angle. The outside edge wear can be caused by excessive toe in and aggressive cornering.

Factory camber spec is -.5 degrees + or -.75 degrees
Factory toe spec is -.15 degrees + or -.20 degrees
(BTW, this info came from their website which is updated periodically and may differ from previously published material, such as CD's and paper manuals)

That means your alignment could have -1.25 degrees of camber and toe out of -.35 degrees and still be in the "green". This will wipe out the inside edges in <20K miles IMO.

All of the MM's I've aligned (about 10) had at least -1.0 degrees of camber and always toe out of -.10 degrees or more from the factory. That's why almost all MM's you see have excessive inside edge tire wear.

For best tire wear, here is what I use on all MM alignments:
Camber: 0 to -.3 degrees.*
Toe: Zero degrees.
Caster: 5-6.5 degrees positive with .3 degree lead on the right side.

*Camber can affect cornering feel. The more negative camber you have, the better it will handle corners. Most drivers will never feel the difference, especially on the street."

[SC Cheesehead]

Yup. Factory specs will wear the inside edges of the front tires real quick.

Ask me how I know... :rolleyes:

[ldawg]

I got all 4 original BFG tires that came on the car new from Belle Tire with a front end alignment for $735.58

[SC Cheesehead]

I got all 4 original BFG tires that came on the car new from Belle Tire with a front end alignment for $735.58

Good price.

As fast as the OEM rears wear out, start saving up for a replacement set.

Also, What specs were used for the front end? If the tech aligned to factory specifications, you'll be looking at replacing the front tires in <15,000 miles.

See post #25 above for specs that should be used for your front end alignment.

[ldawg]

Sorry I misspoke on the price I payed for the tires. I had to put a $200.00 deposit down for them to order the tires, so the total was $935.58 for the tires with a front end alignment

[rayjay]

Hmmm, I have not bought tires this year at retail. I picked up a pair of used studded snows for my Orb on the cheap, $50, 3K on them. I wonder if the Rack still throws sales on our BFG fronts? Mine will need replacing at the end of this season or early next.