Wheel alignment problems can cause handling issues, safety concerns and even cost you money. If you run into misalignment problems, you’ll need to get them sorted as quickly as possible to avoid dangerous situations.
What is wheel alignment?
Wheel alignment is the process of mechanically adjusting a vehicle’s suspension and steering system to ensure that all wheels are pointing in the correct direction, and that the vehicle travels in a perfectly straight line by default.
This can solve a range of issues such as poor handling, vehicle drift, and even excess fuel consumption. Wheel alignment can also extend the life of your tyres, as misaligned wheels will put extra strain on them, possibly causing damage.
Your vehicle will need either two or four wheel alignment depending on whether it is a front/rear wheel or four wheel drive. You probably know which one you need already, but if not, one of our mechanics will be happy to help.
What is wheel misalignment?
Wheel misalignment is simply when your wheels start to point in slightly different directions relative to each other; normally this starts off as a minor issue but can turn into a more serious one. This can come in three main forms:
- Camber – The inward or outward tilt of your tyres, when looking at the car from the front.
- Toe – The alignment of the tyres in terms of whether they are parallel to each other, when viewed from directly above the vehicle. Your tyres will either be ‘toe-in’ or ‘toe-out.’
- Caster – Based on the steering axis tilt that is visible from the side of the car. This impacts the stability and steering of this vehicle.
Your mechanic will assess the state of each of these aspects at the start of an alignment before looking to solve any problems.
5 causes of wheel alignment problems
Wheel alignment problems can be caused in a number of ways, here are 5 causes you should look out for:
- Accidents – Accidents are very likely to throw wheel alignment off. Almost every moderate to severe collision will impact your vehicle’s alignment massively, but even minor bumps can cause problems. After any incident, we would recommend looking out for signs of misalignment, such as handling or steering issues.
- Kerbs – Repeatedly hitting or scraping a kerb is likely to cause alignment issues. Whichever wheel that makes contact with the kerb is likely to go out of alignment immediately, even if just minor.
The problem with this is that because hitting the kerb is something you might do quite commonly, these slight misalignments build up very quickly into bigger issues.
- Speed bumps – The impact and force created by driving over speed bumps can cause alignment problems. This is especially true if you drive over them fast, so use this as another reason to reduce your speed, keep our roads safe, and save yourself stress and money.
- Mechanical wear – With use, the components that make up your vehicle’s suspension and steering systems may wear down slowly and lead to misalignment. This could be bushings, control arms, or wheel bearings which have become slightly corroded or damaged, meaning your vehicle doesn’t feel quite as it should.
- Road conditions – Driving on poorly maintained roads are likely to cause alignment issues due to issues such as potholes or uneven surfaces. Of course, this is a largely unavoidable problem, but where possible, try to avoid potholes and uneven surfaces to reduce misalignment risk.
How to fix wheel misalignment
To fix wheel misalignment problems, you should always seek support from a mechanic, who can use specialised equipment, such as an alignment machine, to make adjustments to your wheels.
Your mechanic might initially take your vehicle for a drive to get a feel for the exact problems you’re experiencing. They will probably verify the issues you’ve come to them with, such as certain handling problems, or drift in a certain direction.
Once they’ve done this, your car will be raised and examined for any obvious issues. Based on the test drive, your mechanic will know where to look for certain problems, and should be able to easily diagnose the cause.
Connecting your vehicle to an accurate alignment machine, your mechanic will be able to make very fine manual adjustments to the suspension and steering system, restoring everything to manufacturer specifications. They will also ensure that your steering wheel is perfectly centered, making your vehicle drive as good as new!
Is it safe to drive with wheel alignment problems?
It is generally unsafe to drive with wheel alignment problems, and we would always recommend getting any noticeable issues solved as soon as possible.
Whilst it is quite unlikely that you’ll be involved in an accident or incident caused by slight misalignment, it’s one of those issues that just isn’t worth risking.
To learn about wheel alignments, or to get one booked in, get in touch.