Went to install the new wheels and tires today. The person who last installed the wheels didn't know the virtues of anti-seize, especially where 2 disimilar metals are joined, like the collar on the hub that fits inside the wheel hub. 2 of the original wheels came right off, I had to rock one by hand, it finally came off, but there was alot of corrosion on colar surface. The front drivers wheel was a different story. I tried and tried to rock it by hand, pull it straight out, etc. Wouldn't budge. I saw no immediate way to use a gear puller to pull the wheel off, so I resorted to the rubber mallet. It's a cheap mallet, pretty soft rubber perhaps smaller than a fist. I had a jack under the jacking point to raise that side of the car, and only the driver's front wheel was off the gound. Laying in front of the car, I started tapping the rim at about the 5 oclock position (viewed from under the car looking at the back of the wheel. As I tapped, I rotatated the wheel trying to work it off. Some of the mallet hits were pretty hard and after about 2 minutes, it finally worked off. Lots of corosion inside the wheel and on the hub colar. After cleaning everyhing well, I applied anti-sieze to the colar, tapered area of the lug nuts, wheel studs, etc, and installed the wheels. Go out for a drive, the first thing I noted was that the steering wheel was tilted alittle to the right while going straight. Also, car seemed to track ruts alittle and didn't seem to steer as well as before. This car has always tracked perfectly before today. At first I thought the new larger tires just effected the alignment Came home after a long drive, and standing in front of the car I could tell that the front tires were now out of alignment. With the steering wheel straight, the passenger wheel was going straight ahead, but the driver's wheel was pointing slightly to the left (consistant with the direction I tapped it). So what's the verdict, have I really hosed something in the steering assembly, or can It probably be fixed with an alignment (driver's side tie rod adjustment)? Also, when choosing an alignment shop, should I look for one who specializes in foreign cars, or should an good alignment shop be able to do the job? Thanks all.
Original Post
after being knocked out of alignment.
trust me we align 25-30 cars a week at work, . What you don't want is a alignment guy who wants to simply "shoot the toe and go" " I haven't researched the specs yet, but will be in the next couple of weeks, I'll forward them if you still need them.
