Hi all, First post.

My 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid AWD SUV is not able to be aligned per Firestone & Les Schwab wheel alignment inspections. They say it is no longer adjustable. All four of my wheels are out of align with negative camber causing the insides of the tires to be extra worn.

Has anybody had this issue with their Tribute and what did you do to fix it? This has been a very reliable vehicle for me and if possible, I am 67 years old and would like to fix it without exorbitant cost.

Thanks for any suggestion/recommendations.

Arlie

 

Welcome to the forum

Both the places you took your Mazda would have told you what parts are worn and need replacing for the alignment.

Not sure what your age has to do with your alignment?

 

Camber is set at the factory and cannot be changed; the other alignment settings can be adjusted.

I also had inside tire wear that was corrected with an alignment of the toe and castor. For my 2005 Tribute, the Front Camber is -1.3 on the drivers side and -1.4 on the passenger side (rear is +.07 and +.14) which is just within factory specs. I asked the mechanic why not put it perfectly in spec and that's when he told me it's permanently set at the factory.

A bad tie-rod and/or ball joint can cause inside tire wear. Be sure all of your suspension parts are in good shape.

Rotate and balance every 5k miles will extend the tire life. If you buy tires from Sam's club, they will rotate/balance for free down to 4/32" of tread.

 

just wanted to repeat my own response to be sure it gets read correctly by all

 

Thank you for your helpful reply, New2Mazda2017. Will consider the suspension renewal advice compared to the $1,500.00 quote I received from Les Schwab. HAGD.

 

Well, once you turn 65 and later taking your retirement, you have to really consider what you gonna spend your money on. At my age, not as limber or strong as I was working on tractors, autos, farm equipment of my youth. Especially getting under and up from working beneath cars... I’ve got a floor jack, jack stands, etc... And, also I consider how many years more will I be driving? Do it try to save money by finding less expensive ways to fix this reliable AWD SUV? Or do I invest into another auto?? Do I pay a lump sum for a used car of my retirement income? Or do I dare take out a loan again?? LOL, yeah those are things I have to consider, that I didn’t have to worry much about just 15 years ago... All my life I have shared info with others how to save money, time, etc. Get the most bang for the buck. Like computers, how to build them from scratch and save hundreds. Glad to do it. So thought coming here others might be of like mind. Already posted with .5 hour a suggestion to another question posted here. Garages nowadays... upsell, upsell, upsell. Gone are the days when that customer is your neighbor, help them out. Give them the option, this is how you can save money and get your car back on the road, or you can choose to pay full price for the total fix. I don’t feel like a neighbor going to my local alignment shop but a TARGET... So, thanks to any suggestions and I will read more questions and see if I have any information to share with others, that’s what I like about the world wide web.

 

LOL ok so a couple things... your age and how you view it... that's about all I can say..

Then there is your "BLANKET" comment about independent service shops. Yup I take offence to that for a couple reasons. I often feel for my customers and many times during a week do free service. I NEVER UPSELL any service!!!!!
While I only manage a service shop, (rarely like to get dirty anymore) I am given a long ,very long rope to do whatever I want when it comes to most all of the customers. I am suppose to be retired and started helping my friend that owns the shop only when he went on vacation.
As for my internet advise and recommendations. They are offered FREE or freely offered on several (12+) automotive forum alone. I am not a DIY , far from that title. Contrary to a few members that think my responses are less then polite (stellular), and very direct it is still FREE and generally empirical or factual.
Couple of thread to consider reading?

Car Repair Advice Forum= at your own risk - Mazda Forum - Mazda Enthusiast Forums


and

What do you do or have done for a living - Mazda Forum - Mazda Enthusiast Forums

 

I am very familiar with the company Les Schwab.. While I can't speak for all of them they have a great reputation and also if you look good standing with the BBB.
Most of them will carefully explain and show their customers specifically suspension parts that are in need of service and or replacement. Most all suspension parts on 90% of all platforms it is easy to see and check for worn suspension parts.
As for the cost of the service this varies depending on the average service hourly rate and the cost or parts which is vastly differ from CA to FLA. You cant compare unless you know all the specifics.

This is why often times DIY will argue on a forum thread about cost of parts and the hourly rate of a service.... NO CLUE to what they are talking about. They just state it too much or other negative statements.

Dealerships get the worst comments IMHO because first and foremost most people done realize a dealership is an indecently owned business. And they have a specific contract with the auto manufacture and some contractual guidelines must be met. The more intelligent people should direct their cost concerns directly with the auto manufacture. But you don't read that on forums.

Ok back to my coffee and pancakes..... and off to other forums to catch up. lol

 

What were they going to do for $1,500?

 

Arlie ….. if you are thinking about answering this question please make sure you mention everything on the estimate and the separate labor and parts charges. Also to save what always comes up is DIY responding with what they think costs should be , it will be helpful to post at least the sate or country you live in. Labor rates as well parts are not universal even in the states .