Hitting a pothole can be an annoying and potentially dangerous experience for drivers. If you’ve recently hit a pothole, you may be wondering if your vehicle needs an alignment afterward. Getting your wheels realigned is advisable in many cases after a pothole impact, but not always strictly necessary. In this article, we’ll discuss when you should get an alignment after hitting a pothole, symptoms that indicate you need one, what the alignment process involves, and the average cost of an alignment service.
What is a Wheel Alignment?
A wheel alignment (also known as wheel balancing) refers to adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are positioned correctly relative to each other and to the road. Proper wheel alignment makes the contact patch of the tire (the portion that touches the road) as flat as possible in order to optimize handling, fuel efficiency, tire wear, and drivability.
Alignment angles that are off can cause uneven and accelerated tire wear, poor fuel economy, difficulties steering, vibration at high speeds, and reduced control and stability. Four key alignment measurements are checked and adjusted on most vehicles:
- Camber – tilting in or out of the top of the tire
- Caster – tilting forward or backward of the steering axis
- Toe – whether the front of the tires point towards each other or away from each other
- Thrust angle – misalignment between the rear axle and front axle
These angles are all optimized by auto technicians during an alignment service using specialty tools. Wheel alignments require lifting the vehicle and using highly precise equipment.
When Should I Get an Alignment After Hitting a Pothole?
Potholes put significant stress on your vehicle’s suspension and can knock your wheels out of proper alignment. How do you know if your car needs alignment work after hitting a pothole? Here are some of the top signs:
- Your steering wheel is off center when driving straight
- You feel vibrations through the steering wheel, especially at certain speeds
- Your vehicle is pulling to one side
- You notice uneven tire tread wear
- You hear squealing or other odd noises when turning
Any of these symptoms indicate your alignment may have been affected and an alignment service could be required. The bigger the pothole, the more likely your alignment was impacted. Hitting potholes at high speeds increases the forces acting on the suspension as well.
In general, it’s a smart idea to get your alignment checked after any significant pothole impact where you felt a big jolt or slamming sensation. Even if symptoms of misalignment aren’t obvious yet, getting an alignment soon after can help prevent accelerated tire wear.
Should I Drive With Misaligned Wheels?
You don’t want to continue driving a vehicle that you suspect has bad alignment caused by a pothole hit. Not only will it be annoying to drive and potentially unsafe, but you also risk causing additional tire and suspension damage.
Driving with misaligned wheels can lead to:
- Uneven tire treadwear
- Reduced traction and vehicle control
- Premature tire failure or blowouts
- Excessive strain on suspension components
- Decreased fuel economy
Make an appointment to have your alignment checked and corrected as soon as possible if you notice any potential symptoms after hitting a large pothole. This can save you money in the long run by preventing expensive tire and suspension repairs down the road.
How is a Wheel Alignment Performed?
Getting your wheels properly realigned requires visiting a professional auto repair shop with alignment equipment. The process involves:
- Lifting the vehicle onto an alignment rack
- Removing the wheels to access alignment hardware
- Checking the current alignment angles with computerized equipment
- Making precise adjustments to reach manufacturer specifications
- Re-measuring alignment until within tolerances
- Reinstalling wheels and lowering vehicle
- Performing a test drive and final inspection
The most advanced alignment machines use sensors and cameras to provide extremely precise measurements. Your technician will know how to correctly adjust the various alignment angles on your vehicle’s suspension to restore proper geometry.
Some vehicles that have been modified with lifted suspensions or larger tires may require aftermarket adjustment kits to correctly align. Inform your technician of any suspension modifications.
How Much Does a Wheel Alignment Cost?
The cost for a standard 2-wheel or 4-wheel alignment typically ranges from $50-$250 based on your vehicle make and where you go for the service. Here are some rough estimates on average prices:
| Alignment Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 2-wheel alignment | $50-$100 |
| 4-wheel alignment | $100-$250 |
Prices can be higher for larger trucks, performance cars, or if aftermarket suspension parts need adjustment. Many shops offer alignment specials and coupon deals that help lower the cost.
While a wheel alignment is not the cheapest car service, it pays for itself by extending the life of your tires and preventing suspensions repairs that would be far more expensive. Proper alignment saves you money on tire replacement and fuel in the long run.
When is Alignment Not Necessary?
Not every pothole impact necessarily calls for getting an immediate alignment. Light potholes that don’t cause a major jolt likely have minimal effect on your alignment. If you drive away from an encounter with a small pothole and your car tracks straight and feels stable, then your alignment is probably fine.
Also, if you’ve had an alignment within the last year or so, a minor pothole hit may not have knocked things out. Monitor your symptoms and tread wear, but you may be able to wait until your next scheduled alignment service.
Use your judgement on whether the pothole struck seemed severe enough to potentially impact your alignment. The bigger the hit, the more alignment should be inspected.
Should I Replace Other Parts?
Along with getting an alignment check, also inspect the rest of your suspension and steering components for any damage after a hard pothole impact. Hitting potholes can bend or break parts like balljoints, control arms, tie rods, struts, and more.
Have a professional inspect the following:
- Struts and shocks for leaks
- Suspension components for bending or breaks
- Steering linkage for looseness or damage
- Wheel bearings for wear
- Tires and wheels for punctures, cracks, or dents
Addressing any damaged parts right away prevents further issues down the road and gives you the best alignment geometry.
Ask Your Technician for a Free Alignment Check
Don’t take any chances after hitting potholes. Getting your car’s alignment inspected by a professional technician is the only way to know if wheel alignment was affected. Most shops offer free alignment checks to tell you if your vehicle is within specs or not.
Take advantage of free inspections and get the peace of mind knowing your alignment is proper. Or, get it corrected right away if out of specification to avoid any problems.
Conclusion
Hitting potholes is an unavoidable nuisance for drivers. If you experience a hard impact, it’s wise to get your vehicle’s alignment checked soon after. Signs like pull, vibration, uneven tire wear, and noises when turning all indicate alignment issues. Continuing to drive on bad alignment causes unnecessary tire wear, poor handling, and risks more costly repairs. Visiting a professional alignment shop to get your wheels properly realigned preserves your tires, suspension, steering, and drivability. Investing in an alignment after pothole damage can save you bigger repair bills down the road. Most shops provide free alignment inspections to assess if your vehicle needs adjustment or not after a pothole encounter.