I wanted to ask if it makes a difference which set of wheels I have my alignment done with?

I just put coilovers on and want to have the car aligned with my 17's because I don't trust the shops and would rather have them "accidentally scratch" those (if that happens, which it shouldn't) as opposed to my 19's.

Does it make a difference? Or should I have the car aligned with the 19's on?

Thanks!!!

 

As long as the offset is close it won't matter, but if a great disparity it could cause a difference in camber.

 

Well I don't have camber kits... So the camber is what it is, right? Regardless of which wheels are on and what their offsets are, the camber is going to be what it's going to be... Right?

I read that the most important thing is that the toe's are dead on. I figure that it doesn't make a difference as to which wheel is on the car to get this set properly. Or am I wrong?

 

If the new wheels have a different offset, that in itself can affect the camber, so if the offset is different on the 19's (from the 45mm factory 17's), have the new wheels installed when having the alignment performed.

 

When a shop adjusts your camber they use a tool that goes on one of the studs, the wheels aren't even on. It doesn't matter.

 

Not necessarily, two different alignment shops I've been to in the past use a tool that goes in the space between the wheel and the tire. I agree that it's not the best solution if you care about your wheels and the stud-mounted tools sound like they would be even more accurate.

 

That doesn't sound like it would be that accurate. I can see if you had it done with brand new tires that would probably be pretty good. But if you have used tires and are just goin to get your specs corrected the tool on the stud would be best. Around where I live that's how it's done. Guess if it's done with the tire tool then the wheels you hve on would matter. The way I've seen it done with the stud tool it wouldn't make any difference. But either way it's always good to keep everything in line, premature tire wear is not cool.

 

Sorry I wasn't too clear about how the tool attaches to the wheels. The tool rests on the rim and the tire is what keeps it from falling out. There is no difference how worn your tires are. Although I can't imagine how one would get an alignment if they have stretched tires.

 

It doesn't matter whther the adapter attaches to the studs or is a wheel clamp, or if the tires are bald or stretched as the camber is a specific dgree of angle and none of the above will affect that angle. A change in wheel offset will to some degree, although minimal. Ever see cars/trucks with reversed wheels that were utilized years ago? As the center of the tires were moved outwards quite far, the tires tilted in quite a bit at the top and caused too much negative camber because the wheel/tire centerline moved outwards and caused the change in camber.