alignment...

[gp1991]

the front two tires on my Grand Prix are worn on the outside. the passenger side is almost bald with like new tread on the inside, and the drivers side is a little better. so the question is can i align my tires the way that they are, and it will be okay, or should i move the two from the rear which are wearing correctly to the front?

[urbex]

Well, if they're almost bald, that really isn't safe to be driving on. You'll need new tires. But you really do need an alignment either way. Putting the bad tires on the rear is really only a band aid solution.

 

So in short, you NEED an alignment, and you will NEED new tires. Personally I'd get an alignment first, and leave the good tires on the back so you don't ruin all 4. This way you'll only need to buy 2.

[gp1991]

thats kinda what i figured, its a damn shame too because those tires are still almost brand new except for the outer edge

[urbex]

I hear ya... Just recently had something similar happen on my Lumina, but I caught it in time before the tires were completely shot. The back two still look brand new! Mine was the inside edges were worn down.

 

But yeah, I'd get an alignment before you rotate just so you don't ruin all 4 tires.

[313hitman]

usually when the alignment is bad to where it balds the edge, most of the time it stretches the belt inside and warps the tire. so switching it to the back wont do any good. do as stated above..new matching tires and alignment

[gp1991]

so basically get 2 new front tires and then an alignment and hopefully thats that. I need to start making more money lol.

[AL]

Temp fix would be, alignment now with a rotate, then new tires with another rotate (so new tires on the front)

[BXX]

Better tires should stay on the rear. If you hydroplane with them on the rear, you'll end up outta control easily. Hyrdroplane with them up front, you'll realize it way soon enough and slow down. Pretty much same theory with them blowing out.

 

225/60/16 - 215/60/16s are cheap. Get it aligned and 2 new tires. If your strapped for cash, then at least get some nice used tires (most places sell them for like $40 installed for a pair)

[Schurkey]

Better tires should stay on the rear.

Front wheels do all of the power transmission, all the steering, and most of the braking. They carry most of the vehicle's weight.

 

The rear tires keep the rear bumper from dragging on the pavement.

 

I'd put the best tires on the front.

[xtremerevolution]

Front wheels do all of the power transmission, all the steering, and most of the braking. They carry most of the vehicle's weight.

 

The rear tires keep the rear bumper from dragging on the pavement.

 

I'd put the best tires on the front.

 

I would listen to Bob. He installs tires for a living and works as a mechanic at a Firestone. I don't just think, I *know* he knows what he's talking about.

 

Its not about which one you think its more important, but which one will provide more disastrous effects if it fails. Like he said, if you hydroplane or blow a tire in the back, you lose control of the car. Not so much with the front.

[gp1991]

well i ended up getting two new front tires for 140 dollars and then i went out and got the alignment for 75. This sucks for me because i work at wal-mart lol.

[Schurkey]

I would listen to Bob. He installs tires for a living and works as a mechanic at a Firestone. I don't just think, I *know* he knows what he's talking about.

Interesting. I worked for JCPuny in the auto center, doing "TBA"--Tires, Batteries, Accessories--back in the early '80's. Some ball joints, some water pumps, springs, shocks, brake jobs, "tune-ups", fluid and filter services...the typical low-skill "gravy" work of a mass-market chain auto center. When Puny closed the auto centers, Firestone bought up a huge amount of equipment and property. The Puny freestanding stores mostly became Firestone stores, but our place was attached to the main store, not freestanding.

 

Its not about which one you think its more important, but which one will provide more disastrous effects if it fails. Like he said, if you hydroplane or blow a tire in the back, you lose control of the car. Not so much with the front.

I popped a skin on the left rear of my '93 Lumina Euro 3.4 on I-80 between Reno and Fernley, NV a couple of years ago. I calmly pulled over to the shoulder of the road without any problem or evil handling. I must be a super, super skilled driver. Still have the black marks on the rear fender where the exploding rubber bits rubbed the paint.

 

Popping a rear tire is just NOT that big a deal. It howls, it pops, you stop and swap on the spare.

Edited June 29, 2011 by Schurkey

[gp1991]

i also learned that my right rear brake caliper is seized when i had the tires off, great.....

[urbex]

i also learned that my right rear brake caliper is seized when i had the tires off, great.....

 

I think non-Chinese Matt might know a thing or two about that...

[gp1991]

I think non-Chinese Matt might know a thing or two about that...

 

im sure there is a story to be told here lol

[urbex]

Well, I can't seem to find a picture of it, but his rotor was...well, pretty thin.

[xtremerevolution]

Well, I can't seem to find a picture of it, but his rotor was...well, pretty thin.

 

Might account for some pretty bad gas mileage.

 

You need to gain some automotive awareness my friend. Did your car pull to a direction when you braked hard?

[gp1991]

Might account for some pretty bad gas mileage.

 

You need to gain some automotive awareness my friend. Did your car pull to a direction when you braked hard?

 

Its stuck open, and i do notice pulling and assumed it was only the front caliper which only touches with one half. As far as automotive awarness, im working on it, this is my first car, its a learning experience i swear i learn something new every day.

[xtremerevolution]

Its stuck open, and i do notice pulling and assumed it was only the front caliper which only touches with one half. As far as automotive awarness, im working on it, this is my first car, its a learning experience i swear i learn something new every day.

 

Good, at least you're learning. Some people don't even know they have to change their oil.

 

Upgrade to the 94+ rear brakes instead of replacing them with factory replacements. They apparently don't sieze up. As for alignment, the car should drive straight with the steering wheel centered.

 

Good first car to learn on by the way.

[gp90se]

 

Upgrade to the 94+ rear brakes instead of replacing them with factory replacements. They apparently don't sieze up. As for alignment, the car should drive straight with the steering wheel centered.

 

Good first car to learn on by the way.

 

I think the 94+ crap is more talk then anything, they are bigger however I've had more problems with the later model ones slides seizing up then 88-93. Just keep them clean and lubed, and don't touch the e brake...my .02

[white4d96]

Good, at least you're learning. Some people don't even know they have to change their oil.

 

Upgrade to the 94+ rear brakes instead of replacing them with factory replacements. They apparently don't sieze up. As for alignment, the car should drive straight with the steering wheel centered.

 

Good first car to learn on by the way.

 

I beg to differ. Mine seized up and then caught fire

[BXX]

Gen 2 rear brakes, problem solved:thumbsup:

[White93z34]

I know I upgraded to the 94+ stuff on both my early w bodys, I won't look back.

[white4d96]

I think the 94+ stuff is a great upgrade, but mine had almost 160k on them which didn't help lol

[gp1991]

so the 94+ is not too involved of an upgrade? You would think that they would have fixed the problem with the calipers in the aftermarket or something.