Proper Tire Alignment
Proper tire alignment keeps the tires rolling perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. Improper alignment can lead to excessive wear and steering problems.
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Diagnosis
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Two signs of improper alignment are tires that are wearing unevenly or if the car is pulling to one side on a straight, flat road.
Do It Yourself
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It is often best to let a professional mechanic check and correct wheel alignment. However, Automedia suggests that people can check some aspects of wheel alignment themselves.
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Toe
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Toe, camber and caster are the three aspects of wheel alignment, according to Automedia. Toe is the difference between the front and rear tires. A saw-toothed wear pattern on both front tires will often suggest a toe problem.
Camber
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Camber measures the lean of the tires, so pulling to one side and uneven wear across the tread can indicate a camber problem.
Caster
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Caster is the angle the upper and lower ball-joints make to the ground. Pulling to one side can also indicate a caster problem. Mother Earth News says that most drivers can only adjust toe for themselves and should let a mechanic take care of camber and caster.
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