How Does Wheel Alignment Work? 

Your car is important to you. You rely on it to take you where you need to go, and when something goes wrong with it, it can be very frustrating. 

Poor wheel alignment is one of the most common problems people experience with their cars. Misaligned wheels can cause all sorts of problems, from decreased fuel efficiency to premature tire wear. 

The more you know, the smoother you’ll roll. Read on to find out how wheel alignment works and what you can do if your car needs an alignment service.

What is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment is one of those things that might not cross your mind often, but it plays a big role in how your car drives.

Wheel alignment is the process of making sure your car’s wheels are set to the correct position and angle. This is important because it helps your car move down the road in a straight line without veering off to one side or the other.  

How Does Each Wheel Alignment Work?

There are a few types of alignments, and knowing which one your car needs can make all the difference in how it drives. Whether it’s just the front wheels, all four, or a specific type for performance vehicles, the proper alignment will keep your car performing its best.

Front-End Alignment

As the name suggests, front-end alignment only involves the front two wheels of your car. This is the most common type of alignment because it’s the easiest to fix. 

Most front-end alignment problems are caused by hitting a pothole or curb. This can knock your car’s suspension out of alignment, which will cause your wheels to be misaligned. 

If you notice that your car is pulling to one side or the other when you’re driving, it’s a good sign that you need front-end alignment. Other signs include uneven tire wear and the steering wheel being off-center when you’re driving straight. 

Four-Wheel Alignment

Four-wheel alignment is a more comprehensive alignment that includes all four wheels of your car. This type of alignment is usually done at the same time as a tire rotation. 

Most cars don’t need four-wheel alignment unless there’s something majorly wrong with the suspension. If your car was in a serious accident or you hit a large object, your car may need a four-wheel alignment.  

Thrust Alignment

Thrust alignment is a type of alignment done on front-wheel drive cars. In a front-wheel drive car, the engine’s weight is over the front wheels, which can cause them to “thrust” forward. This can lead to problems with your car’s alignment. 

To fix this, a technician will adjust the rear wheels so that they’re pointing slightly inward. This helps offset the engine’s weight and prevents the front wheels from thrusting forward. 

Most cars don’t need thrust alignment unless they’ve been in a serious accident or hit a large object. 

How Can Tires Get Out of Alignment?

Your tires can get knocked out of alignment in several ways, and it’s more common than you might think. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common causes:

• Hitting Potholes or Curbs: It’s easy to forget how much a sudden jolt can throw your wheels out of alignment. Hitting a pothole or running over a curb can misalign your suspension, causing your tires to wear unevenly. Even minor impacts can add up over time, causing issues you may not notice right away.
• Worn-out Suspension Components: Parts like shocks or struts play a crucial role in maintaining your car’s alignment. When these components begin to wear out, they can no longer keep your tires in the proper position. This gradual misalignment can go unnoticed until it affects your tire wear and overall handling.
• Driving on Rough or Uneven Roads: Even regular driving on bumpy or uneven roads can lead to misalignment over time. The constant strain on your suspension from these surfaces can slowly push your tires out of alignment without you even realizing it.
• Everyday Wear and Tear: Simple day-to-day driving can cause slight misalignments, especially if you frequently drive over rough terrain. Over time, these small shifts can add up, leading to uneven tire wear and potentially affecting your car’s handling.
• Uneven Tire Wear: If one side of your tire is wearing down faster than the other, it’s a clear sign that something’s off with your alignment. This makes your tires wear out prematurely and can put extra stress on your suspension and other vehicle components.

The good news is that keeping an eye on your tire wear and getting regular alignment checks can help prevent bigger issues down the road.

Signs You Need an Alignment Service

There are a few tell-tale signs that your car needs alignment. If you notice any of the following, it’s time to bring your car into the shop: 

• Your vehicle is pulling to one side or the other
• The steering wheel is off-center when you’re driving straight
• Uneven tire wear

If you’re not sure whether or not your car needs alignment, the best thing to do is bring it into a shop and have a technician take a look. They’ll be able to tell you whether or not your car needs to be aligned and take care of it before bad alignment costs you more down the road.

How is an Alignment Done?

Wheel alignment is a fairly simple process, but it’s best to leave it to the professionals. A technician will start by putting your car on a lift so they can get a good look at the suspension and wheels. 

They’ll then make a few adjustments to your car’s suspension. This includes adjusting the toe, camber, and caster:

• The toe is the angle of your wheels in relation to each other. If your wheels are pointing inwards, it’s called toe-in. If they’re pointing outwards, it’s called toe-out. 
• The camber is the angle of your wheel in relation to the ground. If your wheel is tilted inwards, it has negative camber. If it’s tilted outwards, it has positive camber. 
• The caster is the angle of your wheel in relation to the ground. If your wheel is tilted forward, it has a negative caster. If it’s tilted backward, it has a positive caster. 

After the technician makes the necessary adjustments, they’ll take your car for a test drive to ensure everything is working correctly. 

Hit the Road in No Time With Master AutoTech’s Wheel Alignment Services

At Master AutoTech, we offer wheel alignment services to keep your car running smoothly and prolong its life. Our highly experienced technicians can help you get the most out of your vehicle and keep you safe on the road. 

Contact us today to schedule an appointment.