10 signs you need a wheel alignment
Misaligned wheels wear tyres unevenly, hurt fuel economy and can raise the risk of a blowout. Potholes and rough roads knock wheels out of line, even on vehicles built for off-roading. Here are ten signs to look and feel for.
Ten signs of misalignment
- 1. Pulling or drifting
- The car drifts to one side. Test it on a flat, empty car park by briefly letting go of the wheel. A little drift can be a sloping road. A lot suggests alignment trouble.
- 2. Uneven tread
- Wear should be even across the tyre. Heavy wear on one edge points to misalignment.
- 3. Squealing tyres
- Squealing on turns or when accelerating can be misalignment. It can also be worn brake pads, so have it checked.
- 4. A vibrating steering wheel
- Often after a kerb or pothole, and can signal a more serious problem too.
- 5. Off-centre steering
- The wheel sits crooked when you drive straight. Usually front-end. A mechanic adjusts the front tie rods to bring it back.
- 6. Off-tracking
- The car travels slightly angled, “dog-tracking”. It hurts fuel economy and can be dangerous.
- 7. Loose steering
- Steering should feel firm and responsive. If it does not, get it checked.
- 8. Camber
- The wheel’s angle seen from the front. Negative camber leans the top of the wheel in, positive leans it out.
- 9. Toe-in and toe-out
- Also called tracking: whether the wheels point in or out. It affects straight-line stability and how the tyres wear.
- 10. Caster
- The angle of the steering pivot. Wrong caster makes steering feel sticky or too loose, and in a front-wheel-drive car can lead to suspension damage.
Our guide to wheel alignment explains toe, camber and caster in more detail.
Alignment checks should be done at least once a year, and any time you notice a sign.
What happens at an alignment check
A technician starts with a diagnostic and a visual inspection of the steering, tyre wear and suspension components, makes the adjustments, then checks with a test drive that the wheels are properly aligned.
Do not wait: misalignment only gets worse. Regular checks help tyres last longer, cut fuel costs and improve comfort and handling. We offer 2 and 4 wheel alignment. Call us for advice.