Does your local garage or tyre centre recommend that you get your wheels aligned? For some vehicle owners wheel alignment is considered as important as regular oil changes or checking tyre pressure, but for others it is something that is completely unheard of. In this series, we look at what wheel alignment does, and why it is so important for you.
So, what is wheel alignment?
Also known as “tracking”, wheel alignment is an important process which checks and, if needed, adjusts the angle and direction that your wheels are set to. Wheel alignment requires specialist technology to accurately adjust the wheels and check that they meet manufacturers’ recommendations.
Causes of wheel misalignment
Although cars leave the factory with well aligned wheels, it is relatively easy for wheels to become misaligned. Driving conditions such as rough road surfaces, potholes or hitting a kerb can cause misalignment, as can wear and tear of other parts of your vehicle, such as the suspension.
Camber
The term camber relates to the amount that the wheel tilts. Positive camber is defined as when the top of the wheel leans away from the vehicle, while negative camber is used to describe the wheel position when the top of the wheel tilts inwards. Like many aspects of wheel alignment, it is not always possible to detect camber by eye. Incorrect camber can cause wear to the tyre as well as causing the vehicle to pull.
Caster
The caster determines the angle at which the tyre contact point and suspension strut meet. It is important that the right angle is achieved in order to ensure the stability of the vehicle.
Cross chamber
The cross chamber is the camber from one side of the vehicle to another; a relatively small disparity can cause significant wear and affect the handling of the vehicle.
Thrust angle
Whilst the caster, cross chamber and camber refer to the front wheels, the thrust angle is involved with the back wheels and where they sit in relation to the centre line of the vehicle. If the thrust angle isn’t correct, it is entirely possible that the car will swerve sideways from the rear, which can be scary and hard to control, especially in challenging driving conditions.
Toe
If you hear your mechanic refer to your “toe” they are referring to the angle of each wheel compared to the central line of the vehicle. A toe-in position signifies that the front of the wheels are angled in towards the centre of the car, while toe-out means that the front is angled outwards. Both positions can cause problems, so it is important to get the toe right.
If you are concerned about your alignment, contact your local tyre specialist. For more information about wheel alignment and how it can impact your vehicle’s performance and safety, follow Trust A Garage on Facebook or Twitter.