I just put some new wheels and tires on my '06 MCS and now the car seems to be pulling to the right. It was not pulling on the original wheels/tires. Does anyone know if it is common to need an alighnment after changing wheels and tires, or is it possible that I got a bad wheel????

Thanks for your input

 

You shouldn't need an alignment. Wheels/ tires don't change the camber or toe of the alignment. Are the tires new or used? Did you check the tire pressure and torque the lugs correctly? Some tires are directional. Did you install them on the correct side? All those could lead to the car pulling to a side

 

Tires and wheels are both new. The tires are directional and on the correct sides. Tire pressure was checked when I put them on. The lugs were torqued as well. I will double check pressure and it's time for a retorque now anyhow. Hopefully that will do the trick.

 

Make sure the wheels are off the ground when you retorque. That, and make sure whatever tool you're using to torque them is accurate.

 

When was the last time you had an alignment?

It could just be time for one.

 

Was there any feathering on the tread of your old tires? A lot can be learned about your car's health from that pattern of wear.

 

I have the same problem with my larger summer wheels/tires...215/45/17 when braking. No problem with the OEMs ... 205/45/17. I'd like to know what it is also.

 

I wanted to follow up on this and let you folks know that this turned out to be a bad tire. Swapped the right front and rear, and voila no more pulling. TireRack is sending out a replacement, and is paying for the mount and balance. So if you get new tires and your car starts to pull, it very well could be a bad tire.