A proper alignment takes meticulous angle measurements and adjustments. That’s why many service professionals recommend having this job done at their shops.
Different vehicles require slightly different alignment types. A front-end alignment focuses on the front axle only, while a thrust alignment adjusts both front and rear wheel angles to match one another. The most comprehensive type is a four-wheel alignment, which covers front-end and thrust angle adjustment.
Suspension Angles
Your shop’s wheel alignment specs are designed to balance tire wear and straight-line stability and deal with crowned roads (which slope to one side for drainage purposes). It is unrealistic to achieve only some of these requirements ideally, but a good wheel alignment can help drivers get the most out of their tires.
The most critical angles are camber, caster, and toe. These are primarily a result of the suspension geometry, but they directly affect the wheels and the road.
Toe refers to the inward or outward position of the wheels when viewed from above. This is like standing pigeon-toed or duck-footed, and it can cause the car to be more challenging to steer. Conversely, the thrust angle is a diagnostic measurement indicating whether the rear axle is aligned with the vehicle’s centerline. This can mean a bent frame or other chassis damage. Incorrect thrust alignment may also build up excess brake dust on one wheel.
Tires
An essential component of vehicle alignment Lancaster PA, is the tires. They are what connect the suspension to the wheels and the road. When they are misaligned, it causes the wheel to wear unevenly and can create an uncomfortable ride.
Bumps, potholes, and curbs can easily knock the alignment out of place. These impacts cause the metal used in the suspension to flex and change shape and angle, forcing the wheels into a different position.
It is impossible to prevent these impacts completely, but driving safely and avoiding potholes and curbs can significantly help. Regular maintenance will also make detecting misalignment issues much easier before they are too late. Using tire pressure gauges, monitoring tire wear and rotation, and getting your wheels aligned regularly can all prevent unnecessary strain on the tires, which can help save you money in the long run.
Tire Wear
If the tires on a vehicle wear unevenly, this is usually a clear indication that a wheel alignment needs to be completed. During an alignment, the mechanic will adjust all the suspension angles that impact tire positioning and movement.
They will also check the tire pressure and make any necessary adjustments. Afterward, they will test drive the vehicle to ensure all steering and handling are correctly calibrated.
Over time, all vehicles experience a gradual loss of alignment. This occurs due to impacts with potholes, brushing or scraping against curbs, and general wear and tear.
Eventually, these jarring blows cause rubber suspension components to crack or loosen, and they can skew the alignment settings of the wheels. When this happens, you will begin to see symptoms like the vehicle pulling to one side or driving unpredictably. You may also notice uneven tire tread wear. This can be spotted by visually inspecting your tires when the car is parked and looking at the tread from the inside to the outside edge of the tire.
Road Conditions
Modern vehicles are incredibly durable, but they’re also prone to various wear and tear problems. Over time, the suspension system that connects a vehicle to its wheels can shift out of alignment due to uneven wear or worn components. A sudden disturbance or impact can also cause your car to lose its alignment, such as hitting a pothole, bumping into a curb, driving too fast over a speed bump, or even getting into an accident.
Roadways characterized by combined horizontal and vertical curves are challenging for drivers because they require consistency in the operating speeds that they choose to navigate them (Wang et al., 2015). The geometry of the curves and the weather conditions can increase or decrease a driver’s skidding margins.
Regular wheel alignment services can help mitigate further undue strain on your tires and suspension system by bringing the front and rear axles back to their original specifications. During an alignment service, a technician will mainly check three angles on your front and rear tires: camber, caster, and toe.