 | Richard Smith has been in the Auto Body Industry for 26 years. He is ASE Certified Master Collision Tech, an I-Car Platinum Tech, and an I-Car Instructor. He and His wife own and operate Sharp's Auto Body & Collision Inc. located at 202 North Elm St. in Pittsburg, Kansas. He is a father of 5 children, Ex Military E-6 Staff SGT. and is active in his home Church. The one thing he enjoys doing is educating the public about the safety and proper repair of automobiles, no matter if it is a vehicle that has been in a collision, a small dent, or a complete restoration. The shop is always equipped with a skilled professional to handle your auto needs. |
Automotive Service & Repair
2011-12-27 13:58:26
Understanding wheel alignment
Q: Can you tell me about wheel alignments? Is it the same as balancing? What is involved and how often should I have it done?
A: First, let’s cover some wheel alignment basics. Wheel alignment consists of adjusting the angle of your wheels so they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. Many people mistake the need for having an alignment for the need to have tires balanced, and vice versa, though the two have nothing to do with each other. You can distinguish the difference by the feel. At highway speeds your car will vibrate if the tires need balancing, if it needs alignment, it will likely pull one way or the other.
Next, let’s discuss what makes an alignment necessary. As you drive your vehicle, you may hit bumps or potholes in the road that cause a change in the way it handles. Since the wheels are designed to connect to the road to get the most amount of traction and least amount of friction, any changes in that produce excessive tire wear. It also causes unsafe driving conditions.
When you notice your car pulling or drifting in one direction, you should take it to a professional as soon as possible. When the wheels are out of alignment, the tires continue to wear which further stresses the system, causing them to be even further out of alignment the longer you drive.
Another reason to have it looked at is to find out if any other problems exist. There is often an underlying or additional problem like bent spindle, bent strut, worn or collapsed control arm bushing, bent control arm or a weak or broken spring. Component failure could result in the collapse of the suspension and/or loss of steering control, so having it thoroughly checked is important.
Most professionals advise having it checked annually, no matter if you suspect problems or not, to prevent small problems from becoming large costly ones. Since all four wheels influence directional stability, steering and handling most experts promote four-wheel alignments as opposed to two-wheel (front only) alignments. Four-wheel alignments are more expensive, take a little longer and require more sophisticated equipment, but should be considered a must for most front-wheel drive cars, minivans and rear-wheel drive cars with independent rear suspensions.
