Wheel alignment, balancing, and tyre rotation question

DuckSlice

So last week I had to get 2 wishbone bushings and a ballpoint changed on the front end of my car, which resulted in me needing a wheel alignment. Worn bushings also worn the tyres slightly on the inside. Got the alignment done today and when I was on the drive home, I hold the wheel straight on a straight stretch of road and I drift to the other side of the road. I didn't have time to go back so I rang them up and told them.

His response was that because my tyres are worn at the front that this is throwing my alignment off, he had the wheel straight and everything was perfect when he done it so he said. I would have thought that if the alignment was done correctly if I hold the wheel straight it should go straight regardless of a little wear on the tyre.

I also asked him to rotate the tyres front to back but he didn't have time, as he said they would need balancing when that is done! This also sounded odd to me.

Have I just had a bad alignment or would the tyres cause the alignment to be off after?

Is he trying to pull a fast one on charging me for balancing when rotating the tyres?

Thanks in advance.

BohsCeltic

I wouldn't bother getting the wheels rotated and balanced if the tyres are worn, it's just a waste of money.
New tyres for the worn ones then rotate and balancing should be included for the tyres that were replaced.

DuckSlice

BohsCeltic wrote: »

I wouldn't bother getting the wheels rotated and balanced if the tyres are worn, it's just a waste of money.
New tyres for the worn ones then rotate and balancing should be included for the tyres that were replaced.

They are worn but lots of life left in them yet! Only slight wear on the inside of the tyre!

El Guapo!

If the tyres are worn badly enough to affect the way the car handles, then the garage shouldn't have done then alignment without advising that the tyres needed to be replaced first.
Doing wheel alignment on a car with badly worn tyres is a waste of time.
Post a photo of your tyres here. If the tyres are not too badly worn then the garage should do the alignment again as it was obviously done incorrectly.

DuckSlice

El Guapo! wrote: »

If the tyres are worn badly enough to affect the way the car handles, then the garage shouldn't have done then alignment without advising that the tyres needed to be replaced first.
Doing wheel alignment on a car with badly worn tyres is a waste of time.
Post a photo of your tyres here. If the tyres are not too badly worn then the garage should do the alignment again as it was obviously done incorrectly.

I'll see if I can get a photo tomorrow. They tyres only have slight wear on the inside. I think he has just done a bad job but he trying to say the tyres are putting it off!

DuckSlice

El Guapo! wrote: »

If the tyres are worn badly enough to affect the way the car handles, then the garage shouldn't have done then alignment without advising that the tyres needed to be replaced first.
Doing wheel alignment on a car with badly worn tyres is a waste of time.
Post a photo of your tyres here. If the tyres are not too badly worn then the garage should do the alignment again as it was obviously done incorrectly.

Here's a picture of the tyres, the other one is more or less identical, very little wear on the inside!

El Guapo!

etxp wrote: »

Here's a picture of the tyres, the other one is more or less identical, very little wear on the inside!

Judging by that photo, the tyre is in need of changing pretty soon but wouldn't cause a problem with the alignment. I'd go back to where it was done and ask for it to be done correctly or else get a refund and go elsewhere.

DuckSlice

Went back and got it sorted today after talking to my mechanic, he just must not have had the wheel straight when doing the alignment. That tyre is now on the back as I swapped them this morning so plenty of life in it yet. Thanks for the advice