I have a 1999 Seville SLS with 25K miles on the odometer.

I am getting ready to put new tires (Michelin HydroEdge).

The current OEM tires (GoodYears) have worn, rounded shoulders, indicating a possible alignment problem.

So I will get the cat aligned after I put on the new tires.

Question is: What's better, to go to the dealer or to go to an indy shop that has been around my area for a very long time and is highly recommended?

What do you guys think?

Hey 1toy. I did a quick search and came up with an earlier thread you might want to look at. Some Sevilles have a vibration problem that turns up. It looks like a combination of tire brand and how they're balanced. You might want to call both places and see if they have the machine mentioned in the thread.
http://cadillacforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2779&highlight=tire+balance

Otherwise, I'd trust o good independant shop.
Bob

Hope I spelled everything right, I don't want to bunch any panties.

Hope I spelled everything right, I don't want to bunch any panties.

Bob, thanks for the tip.

Yeah, it got me upset when a certain user remarked on your spelling.

That was uncalled for. If he wanted to debate you on the issues, that's OK. But to pick on spelling, that's uncalled for.

Again, thanks for the tip. I'll check it out. Amazingly enough, my steering does not vibrate, even at high speed. My car steers straight (maybe with a little pull to the right :lildevil: ). All four tires, however, have rounded-off edges. The tire shop told me to get the wheel aligned after I put ont he new tires.

Yeah, it got me upset when a certain user remarked on your spelling.


That happened to me not long ago on this forum, total BS.. was on a Friday night at 3am to top it off :want: eye say skruw dat sheet!

I'm taking mine to wal-mart for an alignment.

I can give you a perspective from someone who's been in da biz for a little while for what it's worth. The local guy, especially the one who sells you the tires, has a much greater vested interest in your satisfaction than the dealer. I'm of the opinion that, because of the flat-rate pay that dealers give to their techs, a lot of corners tend to be cut in the name of getting your car out and the next car in. I'm not saying that there aren't some very skilled and competent guys at the dealers, or that there aren't some diagnostics the dealers aren't in the best position to do, but for routine service and repair the service is usually rushed. I once worked in a shop that did a lot of tire sales and front end work,and we knew that if peoples tires wore out faster than they should have due to a poor alignment, we probably wouldn't sell them their next set. Go to the guy with the good rep, he's probably got a good front end guy who'll take the time to do it right.

right now the price for an alignment is 29.99 for indies. i just got mine aligned today.