Wheel Alignment

Wheels Out of Alignment?

Serious damage can result from wheels which are out of alignment. Wheels that are misaligned cause tires to wear out prematurely, which in turn means unnecessary tire replacement expenses. These tire replacement costs can easily be avoided with wheels that are properly aligned. Stability issues are another condition caused by wheels that are not properly aligned. Cars, trucks, or automobiles that tend to pull to the left or right are symptoms of misaligned wheels. In addition to instability and excessive tire wear, misaligned wheels cause problems with steering and maneuvering. All of these issues make proper wheel alignment not only important to the functionality of the automobile, but the passengers who ride and drive in it.

Being aware that wheels and tires are a vital part of the functionality of the car, is important. Wheels and tires that need to be replaced can cause serious safety issues for drivers & passengers. In addition, even wheels that do not require complete replacing can still cause issues if they are not services and maintained regularly. Alignment is at the top of the list of maintenance for wheels and tires, because it all starts with making sure the wheels spin true.

Wheel Alignment & Balancing are Different

Wheel balancing and alignment are two very different procedures. Wheel balancing has to do with the weight of the wheel, and making sure it is evenly distributed to ensure the spin is true and proper. Wheel alignment, however, involves ensuring the angles of the wheels are properly adjusted so all wheels will sit in a perpendicular angle to the road surface. Both wheel alignment and wheel and tire balancing are important, and should be inspected and performed regularly. The technicians at Clackamas Auto Repair are best equipped to do this job in a professional and timely manner.

What exactly is alignment?

A combination of all the vehicles components that used to make the car, truck or automobile go straight make up the Alignment. Even one of these components that needs adjustment, can cause the vehicle to be out of alignment, and lead to further problems or damage in the future. More specifically, there are 3 distinct measurements that need to be in line, for complete alignment. These measurements are called caster, camber & toe. However some modern automobiles eliminate the need for caster and camber adjustment, because of the McPherson strut, which leaves only the toe to be adjusted.

What is caster?

When being viewed from the side of the car, caster is measured starting at the steering axis and ending at the opposite axis. Basically it is whether an automobile is at its proper height at both the front and rear of the vehicle. Worn springs can lead to caster problems, as can adding or modifying a vehicle with a lift kit, because the automobile’s height is ultimately what impact caster. Pulling to the left or right, can be caused by caster.

What is camber?

When viewed from the front of the vehicle, Camber is the degree to which the car or truck’s wheels are angled. It is common to have some degree of camber, however it is critical that the angle of camber is the same on both sides or wheels. When the camber is unequal, the automobile will pull to the side with the most camber. Uneven or premature tire wear is caused by camber issues. The vehicles suspension can also be effected by uneven camber.

What is toe?

The degree to which an vehicle’s wheels are pointed in or out, is how you measure toe. Most automobiles have a slight toe in order to ensure the wheels rotate parallel. If a driver experiences vibrations while driving, it is likely that the toe is slightly off. Uneven toe will also cause uneven and premature tire wear and tire issues.