Does it matter what tires/wheels are on the car when I have the front alignment done? Just wondering if I should put the 15" turbines w/ Cobra GTs back on or if I can just leave the 14" steelies w/ all-seasons on. If it's aligned with the 14" all-seasons, will it effect the 15" Cobra GTs when I put them back on? Reason I ask is because the Cobras have a much wider tread.
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No it will not effect the alignment procedure.
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well, according to the guys at my alignment shop, it does indeed affect alignment.
Different tires make for a different ride hieght, which affects the way the rest of the suspention sits.Pete ::::>>> resident LED addict and CFI defector LED bulb replacements
'LTD HPP' 85 Vic (my rusty baby) '06 Honda Reflex 250cc 'Baileys' 91 Vic (faded cream puff) ClifFord 'ODB' 88 P72 (SOLD) '77 LTDII (RIP)
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85HPP's most noteworthy mods: CFI to SEFI conversion w/HO upperstuff headers & flowmasters P71 airbox Towncar seats LED dash light-show center console w/5 gauge package LED 3rd brake light 3G alternator mini starter washer/coolant bottle upgrade Towncar power trunk pull underhood fuse/relay box 16" HPP wheels - police swaybars w/poly rubbers - budget Alpine driven 10 speaker stereoComment
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How can the tires effect the suspensions ride hieght? They do effect overall hieght, but the suspension will be at the same position.Builder/Owner of Badass Panther Wagons
Busy maintaining a fleet of FordsComment
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yes the tires do make a difference in the alignment........put your good tires/wheels on teh car before you get it aligned........also may i suggest replacing all 4 tie rod ends and the idler arm and pitman arm.......these items usually show their wear)
1986 lincoln towncar signature series. 5.0 HO with thumper performance ported e7 heads, 1.7 roller rockers, warm air intake, 65mm throttle body, 1/2" intake spacer, ported intakes, 3.73 rear with trac lock, 98-02 front brake conversion, 92-97 rear disc conversion, 1" rear swaybar, 1 3/16" front swaybar, 16" wheels and tires, loud ass stereo system, badass cb, best time to date 15.94 at 87 mph. lots of mods in the works 221.8 rwhp 278 rwt
2006 Lincoln Town Car Signature. Stock for now
1989 Ford F-250 4x4 much much more to come, sefi converted so far.
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It would seem that this is a debatable topic that will never have an end. However here are some facts to consider.
Physicaly it should not matter, however some will say they have had results otherwise. Could be from tires that performed differently (IE had a pull yes a pull caused soley by a tire). Also some tires will do a good job of hiding a bad alignment, and others will show the slightest flaw.
It don't matter to me, but there is nothing wrong with going the extra mile. I'm going to do my alignment after I get my new tires and wheels on too.Comment
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I replaced all the suspension parts on my car, which neccessitated the removal of the control arms. I just made it driveable due to time restraints untill i got my new wheels and tires. I did this because the previous tires were so horrible (how horrible were they?!) they were not even round, they were squarish!
ok, that's a little bit of an exageration, but not muchGMNRadio DJ, Podcast Co-Host
1984 Ford LTD Crown Victoria - Drag Car.
99 Ranger 2.5 - Parts hauler and Pit truck.
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Mine goes straight down the road and doesnt eat tires so ive never aligned it. If it does eat tires like the capri did I half ass guess at it and it stops wearing so bad and drives better its good enough for me.1989 Grand Marquis LS
flat black, 650 double pumper, random cam, hei, stealth intake, Police front springs, Wagon rear, Police rear bar, wagon front ,exploder wheels, 205/60-15 fronts 275/60-15 rears, 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" offroad x pipe, Eclipse front bucket seats, Custom floor shifter, 4.10 gears, aluminum driveshaft and daily driven. 16.77@83mphComment
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Can a guy get away with pulling the old tie rod ends while still in the sleeves? Take the new ends and sleeves and make them the same length and install.
What is the general procedure when changing the ends out? Tire off, tire on? Jack it up or not? Do they need to be greased right away or can that wait a day or two 'til I get it to the shop for alignment?Comment
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when my friend and i did shifty's, we dropped the rods and the sleeves at once, matched up the new ones in their sleeves, and put them up. twas a learning experience considering neither of us had done tie-rods before. we also took the wheels off and had the front end jacked upOriginally posted by monterey1962Save a seal, club a liberal.Comment
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Do it while the wheels are under their full load, that way they don't move. Do them one tie rod at a time, and you should come out pretty close to the previous setup. I changed one of my outer tie rods about a year ago and have yet to do an alignment since, and they wear great. But that was also only one, not a whole rebuild.Comment
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That way would probably get you closest. You want to grease them right away.Originally posted by monterey1962
If you pull the entire inner outer sleeve assembly and set the new ones to the same length it will not matter tire on or off, jacked up or level. It will be easiest to remove jacked up tire off. Hit the spindle and center link with a heavy hammer and the tie rod will come out of the hole.
TomComment
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Thanks for the info, guys. I'm pickin' up the parts tomorrow. Ran down there today, but they didn't have the sleeves on hand. I'm also getting a can of degreaser. Going to clean up the bottom and front of the engine (it looks bad, if you remember my pic from a while back).
Btw, I'm going to toss the Cobra GTs back on. I can't corner for shit on these 14's.Comment
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Too much sidewall on the 14s. They roll. Big wheels are practical for cornering and stuff, but unfortunately its become a bling bling item. Less sidewall = less roll and better cornering, but at the expense of ride. The smaller sidewall doesn't soak up as much bad road.86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley
91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry
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Originally posted by phayzer5
I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousersComment
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