Introduction to Wheel Alignment

A wheel alignment reduces uneven wear on tires.

Having a vehicle's wheels aligned on a regular basis is a basic, yet important part of keeping tires well maintained. Wheel alignments help ensure that the car runs smoothly and safely. Getting an alignment is a relatively inexpensive task as compared with other auto repairs, and will help keep a vehicle and its tires in top shape.

Function

A wheel alignment is a part of the regular maintenance of an automobile. The purpose of wheel alignment is to keep a vehicle's tires perpendicular to the ground and running parallel to one another. Keeping wheels aligned helps tires last longer and keeps them wearing evenly. If a vehicle is out of alignment, it will pull to one side on its own, which could be dangerous on the road, especially at higher speeds.

Process

If a mechanic does a thorough and proper job of aligning a vehicle's wheels, he will start and finish the alignment with a test drive. This is the only sure way to check the original problem and ensure that it has been resolved. Checking the wear of each tire is also important during an alignment, as is measuring the air pressure in each tire since over- or under-inflation of a tire can lead to misalignment and uneven wearing. A mechanic will also test the front end and steering linkage before beginning an alignment.

Key Measurements

In order to align a vehicle properly, a mechanic needs to check on three key measurements of alignment: the toe, the caster and the camber. In most cases, mechanics only have to make adjustments to the toe during an alignment. Toe is the degree at which the front tires are turned away from straight on, caster is related to the tilt of the steering axis and camber measures the angle of a tire against the road surface.

Cost

The price that mechanics charge for wheel alignments can vary greatly. Costs of alignment are directly related to labor costs, since there are no parts needed to complete a proper vehicle alignment. Two-wheel alignments tend to cost between $30 and $65. To get all four tires aligned, car owners can expect to pay $50 to $95. The best way to get a fair price on an alignment is to compare prices at several mechanics before choosing one.

Signs a Car Needs an Alignment

There are several problem signs to look for in a vehicle in order to know when it needs to have its wheels aligned. If the steering wheel feels shaky or vibrates excessively, it could be due to a misalignment in the tires. The alignment of a vehicle can be thrown off after an accident or after hitting a large curb or pothole. When these things happen, the smartest thing to do is to have the alignment checked just in case it needs to be adjusted.

References

• Family Car: A Short Course On Wheel Alignment
• Cost Helper: Wheel Alignment Cost