I Hate When That Happens

How often should you get your vehicle aligned and how do you know if it needs an alignment? This is a very misunderstood topic. We get numerous calls a month asking for a front end alignment. One question we always try to ask is, “Why do you think your vehicle needs an alignment”? The most common answer we get is, “I have a vibration in the steering wheel.” The fact is, it is very unlikely that any vibration is due to misalignment. The most common reason for a vibration is an imbalance in one of the drivetrain components, with the most common being a tire out of balance. We have also seen CV shafts bent or the CV joint starting to fail. I think the only time a wheel alignment would cause a vibration is if the tire wore so severely that the tire became out of balance or the tread started to separate. I have never seen an alignment cure a vibration.

Misalignment will usually cause rapid or uneven tire wear and/or a vehicle handling issue. The purpose of a wheel alignment in essentially is to adjust the tire/wheel assembly to be virtually straight up and down and pointed straight ahead.

There are 3 basic alignment angles that are taken into consideration when an alignment is performed. The first is the camber. To describe camber one must view the tire from the front or rear and refers to the lean or tilt of the wheel from top to bottom. Camber is measured in degrees. If this angle is not within specs, it can cause the tires to wear more rapidly than normal or may cause the vehicle to pull to one side or the other.

The second angle is called caster, also measured in degrees. This refers to the relationship of the upper ball joint or upper strut plate to the lower ball joint as viewed from the side of the vehicle. If this angle is incorrect the vehicle may pull, not handle properly, or the steering wheel may not return to center after making a corner. This angle is not adjustable on most front wheel drive vehicles. This is unfortunate, but that’s the way it is.

The last measurement is the toe in or out. This is measured in fractions of an inch and has to do with the front of the tires being closer together, farther apart or straight head. If the toe is off, the tires will definitely not wear as they should. If you couple 2 or more of these angles being off at the same time, it can really raise havoc with the tires and vehicle handling.

These angles are measured on all 4 wheels but are not necessarily adjustable on every vehicle. Some vehicles, like most trucks, do not have adjustments available for the rear. Some vehicles may require aftermarket kits to be installed to make a nonadjustable wheel adjustable. However, this is not available on every vehicle which means that if for some reason the angle gets off, it can be very difficult to get back in specs.

Another issue to consider before an alignment can be preformed is the front steering and suspension systems must be inspected. If loose or worn out parts are found, they will need to be replaced before the alignment can be done. These loose parts not only cause the alignment to be off, but cause the tires to wear unevenly. In some cases, we have towed in vehicles that have had a steering part actually break off causing a loss of steering control (not fun). These days, there are many different types of suspension systems used and each type may require a different procedure for inspection, repair, or adjustment. Of course, this is where a professional technician comes in. Also, the technician is only as good as his equipment. If his alignment machine gets out of calibration, of course every job that is preformed will not be accurate. There are many new types of aligners that do not require recalibration or will tell the technician if the computer system is in need of service. Proper wheel alignments are not an accident. They take a competent and experienced technician with the proper equipment to do it right. I Hate When That Happens!