Proper wheel alignment is crucial for ensuring your vehicle drives straight and true down the road. If your wheels are out of alignment, it can lead to a number of problems including uneven tire wear, pulling to one side, vibration while driving, and reduced fuel economy. There are several factors that can knock your car’s wheels out of alignment over time. Understanding what causes misalignment can help you identify potential issues before they become serious.
Hitting Potholes or Curbs
One of the most common causes of wheel misalignment is hitting potholes, bumps, curbs or other road hazards. When you hit an obstacle, the force can bend or damage parts of your suspension system. This disrupts the intricate relationship between your wheels, axles, and frame that keeps your wheels aligned. Even a relatively minor impact can subtly throw off your alignment. The more serious the collision, the greater the potential damage.
Potholes are particularly hazardous because you can’t always see or avoid them. If you hit a large pothole at high speed, it can severely warp components like control arms or tie rods. The impact twists the wheel and suspension and pushes it out of alignment. Curbs can be just as damaging if you accidentally scrape them pulling into a parking spot. The low height of curbs transmits a concentrated upward force that can bend and stress suspension parts.
Protecting Against Impacts
While you can’t avoid every road hazard, there are steps you can take to minimize potential damage:
- Inspect the road ahead and avoid potholes when possible
- Slow down on roads with many potholes to reduce impact forces
- Have worn shocks/struts replaced to allow proper suspension travel over bumps
- Check tire inflation, as proper pressure helps cushion the blow
- Inspect and replace any damaged suspension components
Worn Suspension and Steering Parts
The bushings, ball joints, tie rods, and other suspension parts on your vehicle are constantly moving and bearing loads. Over many miles, these components can wear out or develop excessive play. This allows unwanted movement and misalignment to gradually develop. Parts like tie rod ends and ball joints are especially prone to premature wear if you drive on highly uneven or unpaved surfaces.
Problems often start out minor, so you may not notice the slight pulling or vibration. But the more the components wear, the more slack and misalignment develops. Eventually you’ll experience obvious symptoms like crooked steering wheel position or rapid tire wear. Delaying worn part replacement accelerates misalignment issues.
Inspecting Key Suspension Components
You can minimize wear-related alignment issues by periodically inspecting key systems:
- Check tire wear patterns yearly. Inside or outside edge wear often indicates misalignment.
- Inspect ball joints and tie rods for looseness or excessive play.
- Look for cracked or collapsed suspension bushings.
- Evaluate shocks and struts for signs of oil leakage.
- Listen for clunks or knocking noises over bumps.
Replacing worn parts before they fail helps keep your alignment true. But if you already have symptoms like pulling or uneven tire wear, an alignment check is a good idea to identify what’s out of spec.
Improper Assembly After Suspension or Steering Work
Sometimes alignment problems don’t develop gradually. They can appear immediately after suspension repairs, steering work, or wheel installation. The most common causes of instant misalignment include:
- Not properly torquing suspension fasteners
- Forgetting to reconnect critical steering or suspension links
- Damaging threads or rounding off bolts
- Installing new parts that are out of spec or the wrong parts
- Forcing components during installation in a way that bends or damages them
Even something as simple as leaving a bolt slightly loose or overtightening a bushing can throw off wheel angles. More significant errors like not connecting a tie rod end will make the vehicle undriveable.
Careful workmanship is critical any time the steering or suspension is disassembled. One mistake can lead to an immediate alignment problem. Following manufacturer procedures and rechecking fastener torque specs prevents assembly-related issues. Test driving the vehicle before approval also helps identify problems like looseness before it leads to further damage.
Crash Damage
Vehicle accidents often cause catastrophic damage to wheel alignment. The extreme forces involved can bend the frame, twist or break suspension parts, and push everything out of position. Even minor fender benders can potentially throw off alignment by shifting or deforming components.
Some collision shops use laser measuring systems and special alignment racks to identify and correct crash-related alignment issues. But not all shops check for or correct alignment after repairs. Significant impacts should have an alignment inspection to check for:
- Bent suspension mounting points or incorrect wheel angles
- Frame, subframe, or unibody damage
- Misaligned or damaged steering parts like racks
- Broken or collapsed suspension bushings
Hidden structural damage is unfortunately common after accidents. Seeking an alignment check, even after repairs, ensures your vehicle drives straight and prevents uneven tire wear. Factory alignment specs need to be restored.
Loose or Worn Suspension Mounting Points
The points where suspension components mount to the vehicle frame or subframe also gradually wear over time. Rubber suspension bushings crack and deflate with age. Body mounting locations can become distorted or develop increased holes from bolts rattling. This allows unwanted suspension movement and misalignment.
You may notice new clunks, knocks or increased chassis flexing if mounting points become too loose. It’s critical to identify and repair any compromised mounting locations before it worsens:
- Inspect chassis and subframe for distortion or cracks around suspension mounting holes.
- Check body mounts for deterioration or signs of shifting.
- Evaluate suspension bushings for cracking or deflation.
- Confirm torque on suspension fasteners to check for looseness.
Catching loose mounting points early keeps additional components from being damaged. But postponing repairs can lead to catastrophic failures as mounting points separate further.
What are the symptoms of bad alignment?
Misaligned wheels affect your vehicle’s handling, tire wear, and safety. Being aware of the common symptoms helps you identify emerging alignment problems:
Vehicle Pulling
A pulling or drifting behavior is one of the first signs of misalignment. If your car consistently veers to the left or right even though you’re driving straight, it indicates the wheels are out of alignment. Which direction it pulls indicates which direction the tires are aimed.
Uneven Tire Wear
Misaligned wheels place more stress on certain parts of the tire tread instead of distributing contact evenly across the tire. This causes accelerated wear in specific tread zones. For example, excessive wear on just the inside or outside tread edges points to toe misalignment.
Wandering Steering Wheel
You should be able to drive straight without needing to turn the steering wheel left or right. If you constantly have to correct the steering to stay straight, the wheel alignment needs adjustment.
Vibration in the Steering Wheel
A shaking or vibrating sensation through the steering wheel and seat often accompanies alignment issues. The vibration intensity usually increases with vehicle speed. It indicates the wheels are no longer rolling true.
Squealing Tires
Tires can begin chirping or squealing if the wheels develop excessive negative camber misalignment. This places more load on the outer tire edges. The high-pitch squeal is the rubber sliding as the edges over-flex.
Reduced Fuel Economy
Misaligned wheels increase tire rolling resistance, engine working load, and drivetrain friction. Your fuel mileage suffers as more effort is required to keep the vehicle moving down the road. Keeping alignment set to factory specs minimizes drag.
| Symptom | Possible Cause |
|---|---|
| Vehicle pulling | Incorrect toe angle |
| Uneven tire wear | Misadjusted camber or toe |
| Wandering wheel | Total misalignment |
| Wheel vibration | Out-of-balance tires or loose parts |
| Squealing tires | Excess negative camber |
| Reduced fuel economy | Increased rolling resistance |
How can alignment be corrected?
Restoring proper alignment requires adjusting the various alignment parameters back within factory specifications. This process is performed using dedicated alignment machines that can measure and adjust specific wheel angles. There are a few ways alignment can be corrected:
Alignment Adjustment
Many alignment shops have special alignment racks that use laser sensors or wheel rollers to measure wheel alignment. If your vehicle is within adjustable ranges, technicians can correct issues by turning the steering tie rods or eccentric bolts on the front suspension. This realigns the wheels without part replacement.
Suspension Part Replacement
If parts like ball joints or bushings are worn out of spec, they must be replaced to achieve proper alignment. The technician will install new components within OE specifications that allow achieving the correct orientation. Parts often need replacement after accidents.
Frame Straightening
Significant collision damage may bend the vehicle frame and require straightening on a frame rack. Pulling frames or body shells back to OE dimensions is crucial for proper wheel alignment after major impacts. This step comes before suspension and wheel adjustment.
Wheel Replacement
Bent or cracked wheels will never roll true or hold proper alignment. Even minor bends outside tolerance mean the wheel should be replaced. Hitting major potholes or road hazards are common wheel damage causes requiring replacement.
Four-Wheel Alignment
Adjusting all four wheels during alignment service is essential. Attempting to just align the fronts often leads to a temporary fix before issues reappear. The four-wheel process ensures optimal interaction between the front and rear axles.
| Correction Method | When it’s Used |
|---|---|
| Adjustment | Minor alignment issues |
| Part replacement | Worn components |
| Frame straightening | Collision damage |
| Wheel replacement | Bent or cracked wheels |
| Four-wheel alignment | All services |
How often should alignment be checked?
Vehicle manufacturers recommend periodic alignment checks to maximize tire life and prevent uneven wear. The ideal alignment inspection intervals are:
- Every 6 months or 6,000-8,000 miles
- Yearly for most passenger vehicles
- Every 6 months for trucks or performance cars
- After hitting major potholes or curbs
- After suspension work or wheel changes
- When installing new tires
You may be able to extend intervals further if driving conditions are smooth and consistent. But checking at least yearly helps spot issues like uneven tire wear that signal alignment needs adjustment.
More frequent checks are prudent if you routinely drive on rough roads or notice any alignment symptoms arising. Don’t neglect the signs of impending misalignment issues. Identifying problems early is more cost-effective and prevents further tire or suspension damage.
Can alignment be done at home?
While you can purchase inexpensive home alignment tools, professional alignment is recommended for most vehicles. DIY alignment checking requires time and skill for accurate results. Key limitations of home alignment include:
- Home models often lack adjustment capabilities
- Placement of sensors must be precise
- Suspension movement during measurement can cause errors
- Lower-cost tools may lack precision
- Identifying parts needing replacement is difficult
- Liability if further issues are caused
Dedicated shop alignment racks use multiple precision sensors and calibrate each vehicle model into the system. This ensures accurate alignment readings not influenced by suspension dynamics. Plus techs have the experience to evaluate wear and suggest needed repairs.
For specialty track and race cars, home alignment gear may be justified for frequent adjustments. But everyday drivers benefit most from professional alignment services using dedicated equipment. Shops also provide critical documentation showing alignment measurements.
How much does an alignment cost?
You can expect to pay $50-$150 for a standard 2-wheel alignment, and $100-$250 for a more thorough 4-wheel alignment. More complex vehicle types like trucks and performance cars tend to be at the higher end. Key factors affecting alignment price include:
- 2-wheel vs. 4-wheel alignment
- Alignment adjustments vs. part replacements
- Vehicle make, model, and age
- Local labor rates
- Shop equipment capabilities
- Additional adjustment difficulty
- Need for wheel or tire replacement
Shops may offer package deals bundling alignment with tire rotation and balancing. This can yield savings compared to having the services done individually. Don’t just go with the lowest bid though, as quality of service can vary greatly.
Conclusion
Maintaining proper wheel alignment is essential for safe handling, lower tire wear, and optimal fuel mileage. Impacts, worn parts, improper service, and looseness ruin alignment over time. Signs like pulling, uneven tire wear, and vibration indicate alignment issues. Professional adjustment or suspension repairs can restore factory wheel specs. Checking alignment at least yearly helps maximize tire and component life. With regular alignment checks and prompt service when needed, your vehicle will stay straight and true.