[onlinestuffa]

Hi,

Would really like feedback from those who have changed their Innova tyres. My 2007 Innova (85000 km) came with Goodyear tyres, which I had a really bad experience with - constant punctures etc. - so that I had to change them by 35000 km (in my previous car I changed the tyres at 75000!). Since it was a company lease car at that time the tyres were changed to MRF (stock size) rather than my preference Bridgestone.

My problem now is that Galaxy Toyota in Okhla where I get the car serviced says that they cannot do the wheel alignment as the tryres are outside fitted. Also according to them there is some play in the tie rod ends and these may need to be changed.

However they won't do the alignment. So what's the point getting the tie rod ends changed by them and getting the alignment done elsewhere? Might as well get the whole job done in one place.

Can anyone recommend a good place for this?

And is it true that Toyota service centres won't align outside fitted tyres?

OS

[mints21]

My cousin has an innova and got the stock tyres replaced immediately after the purchase from outside. He has been getting every kind of work done including balancing and alignment from the authorised service station in Punjab, but has never faced such an issue. Moreover, your car is out of warranty and it is advisable that you should check the same with other dealers like Espirit, MGF and get a second opinion. Wheel alignment can be done from outside and there should not be a major problem.

[tsk1979]

They did the same circus with me. I have alloys fitted on my Live from outside. After service I gave negative feedback, and guess what alignment done.
Galaxy Toyota is known for this thing.

[onlinestuffa]

Thanks mints21 and tsk. Galaxy logic didn't make sense to me either.

So would it make sense to go somewhere else for tie rod check/replacement and alignment, and if so any recommendations?

OS

[humyum]

Originally Posted by onlinestuffa

Hi,

Would really like feedback from those who have changed their Innova tyres. My 2007 Innova (85000 km) came with Goodyear tyres, which I had a really bad experience with - constant punctures etc. - so that I had to change them by 35000 km (in my previous car I changed the tyres at 75000!). Since it was a company lease car at that time the tyres were changed to MRF (stock size) rather than my preference Bridgestone.

My problem now is that Galaxy Toyota in Okhla where I get the car serviced says that they cannot do the wheel alignment as the tryres are outside fitted. Also according to them there is some play in the tie rod ends and these may need to be changed.

However they won't do the alignment. So what's the point getting the tie rod ends changed by them and getting the alignment done elsewhere? Might as well get the whole job done in one place.

Can anyone recommend a good place for this?

And is it true that Toyota service centres won't align outside fitted tyres?

OS

Well getting an alignment done without changing the tie rods which have play is pointless for starters and secondly after changing the tie rods, toyota cannot refuse to do wheel alignment for your vehicle as tyre size or tyres for that matter have got nothing to do with wheel alignment. The toe needs to be set to company specified values, even if the vehicle is equipped with a different size tyre. Complain to Toyota.

[onlinestuffa]

Originally Posted by humyum

Well getting an alignment done without changing the tie rods which have play is pointless for starters and secondly after changing the tie rods, toyota cannot refuse to do wheel alignment for your vehicle as tyre size or tyres for that matter have got nothing to do with wheel alignment. The toe needs to be set to company specified values, even if the vehicle is equipped with a different size tyre. Complain to Toyota.

Thanks humyum. Exactly what I told one Mr. Pankaj at Galaxy. He kept going on about tread being different and therefore not being able to align the tyres, while I kept telling him how is this relevant for alignment.

When I pointed out that alignment will have to be done after replacing tie rod ends he reluctantly agreed to see if it could be done, but right away added that alignment may not last long as they could not ensure this for outside fitted tyres

That is why I am wondering whether it is at all worth going to them for changing the tie rod ends. But I haven't been able to find anyone else reliable.

OS

[onlinestuffa]

Thought I would give an update here (bit long).

I decided to get the tie rod ends checked independently. Was looking for Singh Shoppee in CR Park but landed up at A One Tyre in CR Park instead as I saw they had a 3D Hoffmann machine.

Asked the mechanic there (Anil) to first check if there was play in the tie rod ends. When the car was jacked up I checked myself and could not determine any play, but since I am not that experienced asked Anil to check twice. He was very certain there was no play and said there was no reason to replace tie rod ends.

So I am wondering why Galaxy was saying I should replace the tie rod ends. Had expressed to them also that it was odd for tie rods to create problems at my mileage (75000, not 85000 as I inadvertently wrote earlier), to which the service staff person had replied that mileage was one thing but I should also see age of the car (7.5 years!) - as if this was some item with expiry date!! Never had to replace tie rods in my Gypsy even after 11 years.

I am thinking this may warrant a complaint to manager of Galaxy Okhla and perhaps also a complaint to Toyota.

A One Tyre made a decent impression. Owner's name is Sunil Anand. He and Anil seemed quite knowledgeable and helpful. Got balancing and alignment done. Toe values were slightly out at -0.01 and -0.02 (left and right front), as well as camber. However, after alignment my steering wheel position is slightly to the left when the car is going straight.

Wanted to check from the experts here that since I did not rotate the (tubeless) tyres as I had to put a tube in rear left tyre and mechanic felt there would be no point putting that tyre in front, rear alignment was not done. Is this ok or should I go back to get rear alignment and steering position fixed?

Thanks
OS