WHAT WOULD MAKE MY VEHICLE’S WHEELS COME OUT OF ALIGNMENT?

Hitting a large rut or pot hole in the roadway with one wheel is the typical reason that a vehicle will come out of alignment. When this happens, the careful calibration and measurement that are needed to keep your vehicle aligned may be altered resulting in steering difficulties.  

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRONT-END ALIGNMENT AND FOUR-WHEEL ALIGNMENT?

An alignment on most vehicles involves only the front end of the vehicle.  However, it is possible to also have rear wheel adjustments.  This would be referred to as a four-wheel alignment rather than the usual front-end alignment.  Most often, the only adjustment that will be made is to the toe setting.  However, it is possible for caster and camber adjustments to be made.  However, this is usually a more difficult service to perform and is less likely to be needed. With modern diagnostic equipment, it is possible to get very precise measurements for a front-end alignment.  The actual work, however, is still only as good as the person using the equipment, interpreting what the data says, and then applying that information to your vehicle. A front-end alignment will be done routinely every 10,000 to 15,000 miles.  But, if you suspect an issue, do not wait for the regularly scheduled maintenance. Likewise if you hit a particularly large pot hole or bumped a curb much harder than normal, an early check would be in order. 

WHAT WILL I OBSERVE IF MY VEHICLE ALIGNMENT NEEDS TO BE CHECKED?

Pulling to one side or the other is the telltale sign that your vehicle needs to be aligned.  You might notice this when on a flat stretch of highway if you release some of your grip on the wheel.  It might be so obvious that you actually feel like you are “fighting” to keep the steering wheel where you want it to be.  In this case, you may have to physically steer away from the pull to keep the vehicle moving straight in your lane.    Over time, driving a vehicle out of alignment will result in irregular tire wear. This could manifest as one tire wearing more than another or as uneven wear across the tread of one tire. If you have had to have any adjustments done to your suspension system or if you have installed new suspension parts such as shocks or springs, it is advisable to also have our technicians check your alignment at that time. 

IS WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND TIRE BALANCING THE SAME THING? 

Tire balancing and wheel alignment are not the same thing even though they may be related.  Tire balancing will always be done when you purchase new tires, but a wheel alignment is not necessarily needed at that time. Our mechanics may often recommend an alignment check within 3,000 miles of purchasing new tires. Tire balancing will often manifest as vibrations, which is different than the common signs of a misalignment. Occasionally a piece of dried mud, ice, or a rock will become lodged in or around a wheel. This can cause steering or driving difficulties.   Our mechanics will often spot this during an inspection and remove it first to see if removing the obstruction will eliminate the driving issue you have experienced.