Wheel alignment is one of the problems any vehicle develops over time. No car is problem-free. Driving your car with a misaligned wheel is dangerous for you, hence the need to fix it before you cause an accident for yourself.
In this article, you will learn what tire alignment is, the wheel alignment angles of a vehicle, the symptoms of a bad car alignment, the cost of tire alignment, how long it takes to do an alignment, and what could prolong the alignment time.
Table of Contents
What Is Tire Alignment?
The procedure carried out by an experienced mechanic to align your wheels to the road surface is tire alignment. It is achieved by adjusting specific wheel components and bringing the suspension system to the proper configuration.
Tire alignment is not one of those DIY maintenance tasks, except if the car owner is an experienced mechanic. Both the axles and the wheels are configured to move in sync in the tire alignment process. Each automaker has a specific degree as its standard alignment angle.
The entire process affects the positioning and movement of the tires while ensuring the wheel is in perfect condition. Your suspension system and its way of distributing power will determine the type of alignment your car needs.
Do All Cars Have the Same Alignment?
The type of alignment for each car depends on its suspension system and power distribution. For example, for All-wheel drive (AWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), you need a four-wheel alignment, while a front-wheel drive needs a front-wheel alignment. Similarly, a rear-wheel drive needs a thrust-angle alignment.
How Long Does an Alignment Take?
Four-Wheel Alignment
It is a very comprehensive type of alignment that involves adjusting all four wheels of your vehicle. This also consists of the alignment of six-wheel trucks. In simple terms, four-wheel alignment aligns your vehicle’s front and rear wheels.
It takes around 30 to 60 minutes to get this done, with some vehicles taking more. However, getting this done for all your tires and the suspension system is worth it. A cheaper and faster alignment option is the two-wheel alignment.
Two-Wheel Alignment
Two-Wheel alignment focuses on either the front or rear wheel and not both. You can choose this as long as it gets you going, especially for your front wheels. A two-wheel alignment takes up to 30 minutes because more time is used up in preparation for the alignment and not on the alignment itself.
Also, Read – How To Align Cam And Crank: A Step-By-Step Guide
Workshops offer two-wheel alignment because they are faster, and at times lack the tools needed to take care of your rear wheel.
‘Toe-n-Go’ Alignments
High-quality workshops frown at this type of alignment because it is not comprehensive. The “toe-n-go” alignment is the fastest among all and can be done in a maximum of 20 minutes. One of the components that chew up your tires is the toe.
Some alignment machines are set only to show toe adjustment, and in cases where more than the toe adjustment is diagnosed, some mechanics only focus on the toe. So, anytime you had an alignment done fast, ask what the procedure involved. Although, some vehicles only permit toe adjustment when doing your alignment.
What Can Make a Tire Alignment Take Longer?
Asides from the type of alignment carried out on your vehicle, some other factors affect how long your car alignment takes. Some of those factors are:
Vehicle Type
Vehicle type is an excellent determinant of the time spent aligning your wheels. For example, a small coupe or sedan with a 15 to 17 inches wheel will take less time than a 35 inches pickup truck. Another factor is that newer vehicles will be quicker to align than old ones because the components are visible with little or no rust.
Also, the complexity of each brand affects the alignment time; a 2001 Ford F-250 will require a longer time than the 2018 Honda Civic because its components are hidden behind large suspension parts and frames.
Technician experience
Imagine using the same technician for your wheel alignment since you bought the vehicle. The experience gained will shorten the time spent on alignment. This is true for any service carried out on your car.
You cannot compare the speed of a certified technician with over 20 years of experience with one that finished an internship the previous month. The latter will spend more time setting up the machine and adjusting each component carefully. While the former spends about 30 minutes, the latter can spend over 60 minutes figuring it out.
Condition of the wheel components
The bolts and nuts of a new vehicle will be better than those of an older car. The better the condition of the wheel components, the easier it is to adjust them and finish on time. Old rusty parts can call for WD-40 lubricants or a torch before gaining access to break them.
What Are the Symptoms of Car Alignment Trouble?
As stated in the introduction, it’s time to delve deep into the symptoms of a bad car alignment. When you notice any of the following, you should get your car to a mechanic as soon as possible.
The vehicle pulls to one side.
If you find it hard to maintain your lane and notice your vehicle pulling itself to one side of the road while driving, the wheels are misaligned. It becomes harder to keep a straight road with a misaligned wheel.
Loose steering
Loose steering indicates misalignment because it slows down the response time while turning your vehicle. While in motion, a loose steering wheel can vibrate and cause serious problems. Visit a professional to help diagnose the problem.
Uneven steering wheel
Whenever you are driving on a straight road, and your car emblem is not centered, then your wheel is misaligned. Therefore, the steering wheel should remain straight when driving on such roads.
Squealing tire
When you notice your tire squealing as you accelerate or make a turn, then you should inspect your vehicle for misalignment. Though, squealing tires can indicate other problems like loose brake pads.
Uneven tire wear
This is an accurate judgment of a misaligned wheel. If you notice the wear rate of a particular tire thread is faster than another, then it’s a possible indication of a need for a tire alignment. Properly aligned wheels will have the same tire rubber depth.
What Are the Wheel Alignment Angles of a Vehicle?
Camber Angle
It is the angle responsible for adjusting wheels inclined on the vertical line when viewed from the front. Ball or bearing joints are responsible for the camber misalignment.
Toe Angle
The toe angle should be adjusted when the wheels point towards the car or in the opposite direction. It is best viewed from the top of the vehicle.
Caster Angle
While taking a side view of the wheel, the caster angle is the pivot angle that turns the wheel. It is responsible for stability, cornering, and balance steering.
How Long Does a Car Alignment Last?
It depends on the workshop and the kind of alignment you want for your vehicle. For example, a workshop that uses a wheel alignment machine with your car’s measurement pre-programmed on it will be faster as compared to a manual one without your car’s measurement.
Usually, a wheel alignment should take an average of 60 minutes, whether it is a four-wheel drive or a two-wheel drive. However, damages on the track rod, steering bushing, suspension system, or other parts can make it take longer than usual.
How much should an alignment cost?
Alignment cost depends on the type of alignment, how complex your suspension system is, and the technology of the wheel alignment machine. Modern machines have better alignment accuracy, which contributes to the total alignment cost. Besides other repairs that could come up, $200 is sufficient to align your four-wheel vehicle.
FAQs
Is It Wrong To Drive My Car With a Bad Alignment?
Driving with a bad alignment can cause significant damages to your car, especially the tires.
Can a New or Worn-out Tire Affect a Car’s Alignment?
No, whether new or worn-out, your tire only affects the height of your car after alignment. You can get new tires before or after your alignment, it makes no difference.
How Often Should I Align My Tires?
Periodically, a recommended time is after every 6,000 miles.
Is tire rotation and alignment the same thing?
No, tire rotation deals with the distribution of your car’s weight, while wheel alignment deals with configuring your wheel to match your steering control and the road. Therefore, tire rotation only helps avoid uneven wear on your car tires.
Can an alignment be done in 20 minutes?
Yes, if it is a two-wheel alignment or the typical “toe-n-go” alignment.
Wrapping Up
Having discussed the symptoms of car alignment trouble, how long it takes to do an alignment, etc., a periodic wheel alignment is a critical practice to keep your car in good condition. Work with the correct alignment measurement for your vehicle and protect yourself from costly repairs.
