Wheel Alignment Lost?
After navigating winter's icy roads filled with potholes or other unseen objects, you may notice that your car has started to develop steering problems. You feel it pulling or drifting to one side or the other, or you feel too much "play" in the steering wheel. How do you know whether the car alignment is off, or if there is damage to the suspension or braking system? Will a wheel alignment, tire rotation, balancing, or some other type of repair be required?
An auto mechanic will typically look at these four issues before attempting to correct a wheel alignment problem:
- Eliminate tire problems:
- Are all four tires inflated to the recommended pressure?
- Is the tread and tire size the same on both front wheels?
- Is there unusual tread wear or damage?
- Examine the front-end alignment in rear-wheel drive vehicles:
- Toe-in -- The front of each tire, when driving straight, points slightly to the centerline of the vehicle so that each tire has equal traction (i.e., bite) when cornering.
- Castor -- The vertices angle of the centerline of the tire from front to back. Unless the ball joints, control arm bushings, or king pins are seriously worn, the castor won't vary much.
- Camber -- The vertical angle of the centerline of the tire perpendicular to the cross-section of your car.
- Road test:
- When loosening the grip on the steering wheel, does your car pull to the left or the right?
- Do you hear scraping whining or grinding sounds from the front end?
- Have an outside observer pay attention to the front to back wheel alignment. The front wheels should be tracking in the same groove as the back.
- Other car problems causing excessive tread wear:
- Worn struts or shock absorbers.
- Worn out or loose wheel bearings, gear box, tie-rod ends, ball joints, upper and lower control arm bushings, and other steering components.
- Uneven distribution of heavy loads.
- Poor driving habits--hard cornering, braking, or swerving.
Important Tip: Go for a test drive following a wheel alignment service!
Wondering if you need a car alignment service? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Express Care Auto by calling 507-625-8005 today, or go on-line to www.expresscareautomn.com for more information. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
After navigating winter's icy roads filled with potholes or other unseen objects, you may notice that your car has started to develop steering problems. You feel it pulling or drifting to one side or the other, or you feel too much "play" in the steering wheel. How do you know whether the car alignment is off, or if there is damage to the suspension or braking system? Will a wheel alignment, tire rotation, balancing, or some other type of repair be required?
An auto mechanic will typically look at these four issues before attempting to correct a wheel alignment problem:
- Eliminate tire problems:
- Are all four tires inflated to the recommended pressure?
- Is the tread and tire size the same on both front wheels?
- Is there unusual tread wear or damage?
- Examine the front-end alignment in rear-wheel drive vehicles:
- Toe-in -- The front of each tire, when driving straight, points slightly to the centerline of the vehicle so that each tire has equal traction (i.e., bite) when cornering.
- Castor -- The vertices angle of the centerline of the tire from front to back. Unless the ball joints, control arm bushings, or king pins are seriously worn, the castor won't vary much.
- Camber -- The vertical angle of the centerline of the tire perpendicular to the cross-section of your car.
- Road test:
- When loosening the grip on the steering wheel, does your car pull to the left or the right?
- Do you hear scraping whining or grinding sounds from the front end?
- Have an outside observer pay attention to the front to back wheel alignment. The front wheels should be tracking in the same groove as the back.
- Other car problems causing excessive tread wear:
- Worn struts or shock absorbers.
- Worn out or loose wheel bearings, gear box, tie-rod ends, ball joints, upper and lower control arm bushings, and other steering components.
- Uneven distribution of heavy loads.
- Poor driving habits--hard cornering, braking, or swerving.
Important Tip: Go for a test drive following a wheel alignment service!
Wondering if you need a car alignment service? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Express Care Auto by calling 507-625-8005 today, or go on-line to www.expresscareautomn.com for more information. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of North Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
