Alignment with new wheels?

[Sammy]

I just picked up a set of Carrera lights and the rear tire alignment really looks odd. It's almost as if they are toed in a little and have excessive camber. Should I have it aligned since I have the new wheels? They are a tad wider than the stock but carry the same offsets. Or is it just an illusion because they stick out a little further?

[blinkwatt]

Anytime you change wheels that aren't the same specs as you last set you should get an alignment.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

Anytime you change wheels that aren't the same specs as you last set you should get an alignment.

Why is that?

[Sammy]

Yeah... why is that?

They are 18's with 50/47 front/rear offsets which is the same as the 18's Turbo look I took off. The only difference is the rear is a little wider by 0.5". To me it doesn't make sense but I've been wrong before...

[easyc]

It isn't really necessary, but if it has been a awhile since your last alignment it won't hurt. If you feel vibrations while driving as well you might want to get one also. Is you car lowered? The Toe is what you should be worried about, not the neg camber... that will only help your handling.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by easyc

It isn't really necessary, but if it has been a awhile since your last alignment it won't hurt. If you feel vibrations while driving as well you might want to get one also. Is you car lowered? The Toe is what you should be worried about, not the neg camber... that will only help your handling.

I agree with easyc for the most part.

Just changing wheels doesn't change your alignment settings at all. But like easyc says, if it's been a while, you might be due. It'll help keep the new tires from wearing prematurely/unevenly.

If you do alot of autocross and/or spirited twisty driving, some negative camber is a good thing, it helps with stability and actually does promote even tire wear, also as easyc says. However, if your driving is mostly straight line, highway type stuff, you'll get earlier wear on the inside of the tires because the loads will be concentrated there, especially with a stiff sidewall 18" tire.