After replacing lower ball joints do I need to have an alignment done

2011 KIA SORENTO
134,700 MILES • V6 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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AJC5280
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
The lower ball joints on my vehicle were loose/damaged so I just had them replaced. As a result of driving on the damaged ball joints for awhile (without realizing it) my front tire was damaged as shown in the attached image. As you can see these tires were dangerously close to blowing so I had new tires put on the vehicle.

My question is, now that I have the new ball joints on the vehicle and new tires, do I also need have the alignment done? I know it's probably a good idea but mainly trying to determine if I need to get it done immediately or could wait another 5000 miles or so for when I have it in the shop anyway for oil change and tire rotation. Thanks!
Jul 8, 2019 at 3:41 PM
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DANNY L
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

It would be fair to say that you could wait the 5,000 miles for an alignment.The lower control arm that houses the ball joint has no adjustment when installed. The upper control arm when removed is what controls front end alignment. When the upper arm is removed/replaced/serviced that is when an immediate alignment is needed. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
Jul 8, 2019 at 3:58 PM
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