Is a wheel alignment necessary after removing the tires?
3 Answers
Removing tires does not require a wheel alignment, but wheel balancing is necessary after tire replacement, which is unrelated to wheel alignment. The details are as follows: 1. Wheel balancing is required: If the vehicle does not pull to one side during driving and the steering wheel is not tilted, then a wheel alignment is not necessary. However, wheel balancing must be performed; otherwise, the vehicle may experience shaking during driving. 2. Details of wheel alignment: Wheel alignment is actually a value-added service provided by tire shops to better serve customers. When drivers notice issues such as heavy steering, shaking, pulling to one side, misalignment, failure to return to center, or abnormal tire wear (e.g., uneven wear, scalloped wear, block wear, or edge wear), as well as sensations like floating, bumpiness, or swaying while driving, they should check the wheel alignment values to see if they deviate too much and make timely repairs for safety.
I've been driving for almost twenty years and often change seasonal tires myself, so I've had plenty of experience with this. Generally, removing the tires doesn’t require a wheel alignment because alignment adjusts suspension angles, such as toe and camber, while the tires themselves are just mounted components. As long as the suspension isn’t disturbed during tire removal, the parameters won’t change. However, last time I installed new tires without checking, and the car started pulling to the right—turns out the suspension bolts weren’t tightened properly, affecting the alignment. I recommend test-driving for a few minutes after removing or reinstalling wheels to check if the steering wheel centers properly and if the car tracks straight. If it drifts, visit a repair shop for a quick alignment check, which costs around 100–200 RMB. This can prevent uneven tire wear and handling issues. In short, don’t cut corners—safe driving is the priority, and replacing a set of unevenly worn tires is far more expensive.
I usually enjoy tinkering with cars and have helped friends with car repairs quite a bit. Realigning all four wheels after removing tires is generally unnecessary, as long as the suspension components aren't disturbed during the removal process—the alignment parameters won't shift. Alignment mainly concerns the suspension system, not the tires themselves, but you must ensure the wheel hubs and tires are properly tightened when reinstalling. If you touched related parts while removing them to clean the suspension or replace shock absorbers, then the alignment might be off. I recommend checking if the car pulls to one side or vibrates noticeably after each operation; if there's an issue, get it aligned promptly. Spending a little money on a test can save you from faster tire wear due to misalignment later. Keeping up with regular maintenance makes the car run smoother and more fuel-efficient.
