Wheel alignment

Have you noticed that your steering wheel vibrates or pulls to one side, particularly when you’re driving at higher speeds?

It may be time for a wheel alignment.

Another symptom to look out for is rapid, uneven wear and tear on the outer and inner edges of your tyres. You may notice your steering is noisy or hear your tyres squealing. The signs of wheel misalignment and wheel imbalance can be similar, that’s why it’s best to see an expert.

The short answer is yes. Your vehicle is designed to perform best when all four wheels are parallel to each other and at right angles to the road, rolling smoothly and in line with each other.

Misaligned wheels cost you money by decreasing fuel efficiency and accelerating tyre wear. Eventually your tyres will fail. In the meantime, it can also have a significant effect on driving safety and handling.

Rapid and uneven tyre tread wear makes handling difficult and reduces your ability to stop in wet weather. When you need to make an emergency manoeuvre, your car may not respond as you expect.

If you notice any signs of misalignment, have your vehicle checked ASAP by an expert technician.

Not aligning your wheels can cost you a lot in reduced fuel efficiency and increased tyre wear, not to mention the potential impact on your safety.

There are several types of wheel alignments. The cost will vary depending on what type of vehicle you have and which alignment you need.

We’re only too happy to talk it through with you. Drop in or call the experts at Tyreright for a quote.

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 in towards 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 recommend 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.

Believe it or not, simply driving your vehicle every day is a major cause of misalignment. The truth is, poor driving style, varying road conditions, and simply the amount of time you spend on the road can eventually lead to issues.

But what else can knock your wheels out of alignment?

• Hitting a pothole, the curb or road debris
• Driving too fast over speed bumps
• Colliding with another vehicle or an object
• Wear and tear or loosening of your suspension including the shocks and struts
• Modifications to your vehicle such as lifting
• Lack of regular alignment checks.

Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent misalignment by driving safely and having regular wheel alignment checks. See the experts at Tyreright.

Tyreright recommends you get a wheel alignment check every 10,000kms or every six months (whichever comes first). It will ensure your tyres aren’t fighting each other, and your wallet, every time you hit the road.

You should also have a wheel alignment done whenever you get two or more replacement tyres on your vehicle. At Tyreright, we always ask you if you’d like one when you buy in-store or check out online.