There are 3 different types of wheel alignments you should know about; Front-end, Thrust and Four-wheel.
Front-end alignment
A front-end alignment only measures and adjusts the front axle. It is sometimes done on vehicles with a solid rear axle and is the most basic alignment as it covers the bare minimum.
Sometimes it is called a “toe-in” alignment or a “toe and go”. Toe-in means that the tyres are pointing toward each other.
The correct toe position for your vehicle will vary slightly depending on its suspension and on whether it is front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Many tyre fitters consider a front-end-only alignment unsuited to modern cars due to its incomplete nature and may refuse to offer it. Tyreright recommends that you always have a Thrust or Four-wheel Alignment.
Thrust alignment
A thrust angle alignment ensures that all four wheels are “squared” with each other.
It is recommended for all vehicles with a solid rear suspension, as it provides a better result on the road in terms of tyre wear, fuel economy and safety.
This is especially important if you are having an alignment completed after an accident or a hard knock to your suspension, such as running up a gutter.
Four-wheel alignment
The four-wheel alignment is for cars or 4WDs with four-wheel independent suspensions. It’s also for front-wheel drive vehicles with adjustable rear suspensions.
This type of alignment combines the elements of a front and thrust alignment but goes another step further by measuring and positioning the rear axle angles.
The four-wheel alignment will restore all four corners of your vehicle to the manufacturer’s specifications.
This type of alignment requires specialist equipment and is the most comprehensive alignment. It also results in the best overall handling for your vehicle and performance for your tyres in terms of durability, fuel economy and safety.