Wheel alignment 101
Vehicle owners probably already know all about wheel alignments, how crucial they are to safe driving and why mechanics recommend them. However, a lot of people don’t actually get their wheels aligned because they don’t make the time for an appointment, don’t want to spend the money on the service, or just don’t think it really matters for the health of their car. Unfortunately, they’re wrong.
But before you plan your next family road trip, your car needs a thorough check-up to avoid costly break-downs or mishaps on the road. Anyone with kids knows surviving a road trip is difficult enough without worrying about the safety of your car.
Getting your car’s wheels aligned helps save you money in the long run and can actually extend the life of your tyres. In addition, your newly aligned wheels create a safer driving experience for you and everyone else on the road. Tyre problems can cause serious car accidents and also create wear and tear on your vehicle.
To better understand the importance of wheel alignments, get an overview of what happens during the process.
When you take your vehicle into the mechanic or tyre shop, they usually start by test driving the car on a few city streets so the mechanic can verify the actual problem at hand. It’s not unusual for the owner of the vehicle to assume they know what’s wrong with the car and ask for an alignment upfront. But in reality, there could be a host of reasons why the tyres don’t seem right or the car is not steering well in the first place. During the test drive, the mechanic looks for telltale symptoms like the vehicle pulling in one direction, tyres squealing on low speed turns or a steering wheel that is off-center.
Once the issue has been identified, the mechanic will get the car ready to work on the wheel alignment. Most auto repair shops keep detailed information about every vehicle they work on and will enter the vehicle make, model and year, and design of the car into their database. Simply scanning the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can also access all of the current data. The car’s detailed information can help your auto repair shop determine the OEM’s specification for alignment.
With the data in hand, the mechanic drives the vehicle onto the alignment rack and puts it into position. Next, the car is elevated to a comfortable level for working and locked down on the rack as an added safety precaution. The mechanic should also thoroughly inspect the tyres for irregular or uneven wear, and will take the opportunity to check the front-end and rear axle for any issues.
Common wheel alignment problems
Some common problems may include a destroyed ball joint, broken coil spring, loose wheel bearing or an issue with the steering or suspension. Mechanics will usually fix or replace these issues first before starting the alignment procedure, and will also check and adjust the tyre pressure to the OEM specifications before removing the hubcaps.
Next, the mechanic mounts targets to the wheel ends to match the requirements of the rack manufacturer. The majority of alignment racks necessitate that the alignment head must be attached to all of the wheels, even if the mechanic is only making adjustments to the front wheels. With plenty of Front Wheel Drive (FWD) models, adjustments can be made first to the rear wheels before any FWD adjustments are made.
Wheel alignment adjustments
Depending on the available systems and equipment at the auto repair shop, there are some unique procedures that can measure the caster and toe angles, as well as the current chamber. Shops with up-to-date systems and computers will print out a symptom report to show to the customer to discuss their options. During a front-end alignment, the mechanic will need to fix the caster and camber adjustments first before moving onto the toe angles.
Once the adjustments and toe angles are addressed, the mechanic restarts the car and removes the steering wheel lock before turning the steering wheel back and forth a few times. This is a good indicator of whether the alignment worked and how to proceed. Once complete, the steering wheel is re-centred and locked.
Next, it’s time to remove the alignment heads before the auto shop carefully lowers the vehicle back onto the garage floor for a test drive. The employee should take it for a test drive to make sure any old symptoms or issues they noted don’t come back. Any other noticeable issues should be addressed and re-checked to see if it is still connected to the alignment.
There really isn’t anything that complicated about wheel alignments; however, it is easy to take them for granted and decide you can delay it for a few more months. Don’t risk the health of your car and your own safety by skimping on service. Instead, properly aligned wheels can save you time, money and help protect yourself and others on the road.
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FAQs
An alignment is a procedure performed by your mechanic to get your vehicle's suspension back into proper form. By making adjustments to the vehicle's tires and axles, the wheels are once again aligned with each other and can make solid contact with the road.
What is checked during a wheel alignment? ›
The technician makes adjustments to the camber, caster, and toe of each wheel as needed. A real-time computer readout shows when the target angles are met. Your steering wheel is checked to ensure it is centered. Finally, your vehicle is given a quick test drive.
How to tell if your car needs an alignment? ›
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT?
- Your vehicle pulls to one side.
- Uneven or rapid tire wear.
- Your steering wheel is crooked when driving straight.
- Squealing tires.
- Shaking or vibrating steering wheel.
- Your steering wheel feels loose or unresponsive.
How Does a Car Get Out of Alignment?
- Sudden disturbance or impact from hitting something such as a pothole, bumping into a curb, going too fast over a speed bump, or an accident.
- Suspension components, including poor shocks or struts, become worn or loose affecting alignment.
- Vehicle modifications such as lifting.
Typically, it is recommended to get your wheels aligned every 2 to 3 years. However, to ensure the optimal safety of your car, yourself and others around you, it is best to opt for a wheel alignment every time you go to change your oil of the vehicle.
Can I drive if my alignment is bad? ›
Driving a car with bad alignment is never recommended and can cause more than just an annoying driving experience. Doing so could lead to reduced fuel economy, expensive tire replacement costs, and steering concerns that could put you, your passengers, and other motorists at risk.
How serious is a wheel alignment? ›
Continuing to drive a vehicle with bad alignment will: Wear out your tires faster and even permanently damage them. Increase friction on your tires, making them less fuel efficient. Make steering difficult to control and may put you at risk of an accident.
Can I get an alignment with bad tires? ›
The quick and short answer: Yes. You can get an alignment with bad tires or even before buying new tires. Many experts agree that the only effect worn tires have on your wheel alignment is a change to the ride height. Also, this effect should be negligible, given today's steering and suspension design.
Should I get new tires or an alignment first? ›
For the most part, doesn't matter whether you get your alignment before or after having your new tires put on. Most experts agree that the only effect worn tires have on your alignment is a change to the vehicle's ride height which, given today's steering and suspension design, should be negligible.
Will my car drive better after an alignment? ›
Absolutely. After a wheel alignment, you'll likely notice an improvement in your car's handling and overall driving experience. Proper alignment ensures that your tires make optimal contact with the road, leading to smoother steering, better vehicle stability, and reduced tire wear.
Loose Steering: If your steering feels wobbly or unstable, it could be a sign of bad alignment. It feels like your car isn't quite staying on course, and you have to keep adjusting the steering.
How much is an alignment near me? ›
A front-end alignment usually costs between $65 and $100 (some brands, of course, are more). At that price, it should be a regular part of your car care regime. To make an alignment even more economical, some car care facilities offer lifetime alignment packages for around $200.
What happens if you don't fix your alignment? ›
Over time, if you don't get your vehicle aligned, the vibrations will get worse. This can compromise your ability to keep a good grip on your steering wheel and drive safely down the road. If your steering wheel doesn't stay straight and starts to vibrate when you drive, you need to get your tires aligned.
What happens when your car is out of alignment? ›
If your vehicle is out of alignment, uneven tire wear can occur, which can cause a vibration that is felt in your steering wheel. Steering wheel vibrations can also be because of unbalanced tires or a bent rim caused by hitting a curb or pothole.
Can bad ball joints affect alignment? ›
A ball joints is made to fit tightly into its steel casing; excessive wear will allow for more room for the ball to move in the socket, which can affect wheel alignment, tire wear, and suspension noise. Bad ball joints can lead to abnormal wearing of your tires.
What gets adjusted during an alignment? ›
A vehicle alignment is done by adjusting a vehicle's suspension, which affects the angle at which the vehicle's tires meet both one another and the road itself. A properly aligned vehicle drives straighter and safer than an improperly aligned one and can also have a dramatic effect on your tire's tread life.
What happens when you are in alignment? ›
Alignment in simple terms is when things just make sense. Sometimes this happens naturally, something in our life just falls into place. This is usually a time when we our listening to our true self and not all the noise of life, people, society, culture, everything else.
How long does 4 wheel alignment take? ›
Under normal circ*mstances, a wheel alignment will take an average of one hour, whether it's a two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicle. If there's too much wear and tear or damage on the suspension system, steering bushing, track rod, or other parts, it'll take a longer time as some components have to be replaced.
