The jolt to a vehicle’s suspension due
to hitting a large pothole or a curb can throw your car’s wheels out of
alignment and damage your tires over time. When a vehicle’s front end is out of
alignment, tires will wear unevenly and handling problems are possible. Furthermore,
a misaligned front end can increase wear and tear on front suspension components,
increasing the cost of repairs. Safe driving depends on preventive care and
maintenance of the vehicle, including wheel
alignment and the tires. Properly maintained tires improve the steering, braking,
and traction of the vehicle. Fifth Gear Automotive offers professionally
certified mechanics in Lewisville, TX for
all your automotive needs.
Signs of Poor Wheel Alignment
Some common signs of poor wheel
alignment are uneven tread wear on
tires, pulling to one side, vibration at higher speeds, or a steering wheel
that is off-center. Ensuring periodic wheel
alignment will reduce tire wear, increase gas mileage, and improve the
vehicle’s handling.
Ideally, tread wear should occur evenly
across the tread. If you are noticing uneven wear, check the tire pressure in
all tires. The recommended tire pressure is stamped on the tire, and ideally
should be checked every week or two. In addition, inspect the sidewall for
cracking, cuts, blisters, and other signs of damage or excessive wear. If you
are uncomfortable with tire inspection, a Fifth Gear mechanic in Lewisville, TX can provide it for you.
Outdoor temperature can affect tire
pressure. Improper air pressure is one potential cause of uneven tire wear and results in specific wear patterns for over or
under inflated tires. Hauling unnecessary weight in the trunk can also cause
increased tire wear. In addition, worn suspension components can result in poor
wheel alignment, and prematurely worn tires.
If uneven
tire wear is occurring on your tires, bring your vehicle by Fifth Gear
Automotive for a wheel alignment. Our mechanics
in Lewisville, TX will be glad to check your alignment and inspect your
suspension.
Wheel Alignment
Provide a wheel alignment when new
tires are installed, steering or suspension components are replaced, or when uneven tread wear on the tires occur. Anytime
the vehicle has encountered severe impacts from road hazards or collisions,
wheel alignment should be checked. Our mechanics
in Lewisville, TX can provide the service for you.
Two Wheel vs. Four Wheel Alignment
Years ago, the only alignment necessary
was the “front wheel alignment”. Today’s automobiles are different from those
of your granddad, and often require a four-wheel
alignment. Typically, vehicles with front wheel drive and compact cars
require four-wheel alignment, while some trucks and SUVs only require front-wheel alignment. A vehicle that
does not have four-wheel or all-wheel drive will likely only require a front-end
alignment. However, all vehicles can benefit from the inspection of a four-wheel alignment.
During wheel alignment, the computerized equipment checks to ensure the
wheels are in line as they should be. Your mechanic
in Lewisville, TX will make any necessary adjustments to the suspension
angles known as toe, thrust, camber, and castor. The technician will also
ensure the steering wheel is centered properly.
The type of alignment received will
depend on the vehicle’s suspension. A four-wheel alignment is for all wheel
drive vehicles or front-wheel drive vehicles with independent or adjustable rear
suspensions. In these, your mechanic in
Lewisville, TX assures both axles, and all four wheels are aligned properly.
The following offers a brief explanation
of common adjustments in a wheel alignment provided by our certified mechanics in Lewisville, TX:
1. Camber
Camber is the inward or outward angle of
the tire when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Excessive tilt in either
direction indicates improper alignment and requires adjustment. Worn bearings,
ball joints, and other wheel-suspension components may contribute to camber
misalignment. When problems of this type are detected during a wheel alignment,
repair is typically necessary before alignment can be provided. Fifth Gear mechanics in Lewisville, TX can provide
the repairs required and the necessary wheel alignment.
2. Toe
When viewed from above, toe alignment is
the extent to which your tires turn inward or outward. Tires that turn inward
toward each other are called toe-in, while tires that angle outward away from
each other are considered toe-out. Both require adjustment by certified mechanics in Lewisville, TX.
3. Caster
The vehicles caster angle assists in
balancing the steering, stability, and cornering. Caster is the angle of the
steering axis when viewed from the side of the vehicle. With a positive caster,
the steering axis will tilt toward the driver. A negative caster means the
steering axis tilts toward the front of the vehicle.
4. Thrust
Thrust angle is the direction the rear
wheels are pointing in relation to the centerline of the vehicle. If the thrust
angle is not zero the steering wheel will not be centered. Fifth Gear mechanics in Lewisville, TX can provide
the adjustment needed.
The importance of a four-wheel alignment was not realized until front wheel drive
vehicles appeared in the market. Since that time, garages often prefer four-wheel
alignments even on vehicles without adjustments, in order to ensure the rear
suspension is properly aligned. Wear and age, accidents and severe potholes or
direct hits to a curb can cause damage to the rear suspension resulting in poor
tire wear.
You can rely on Fifth Gear Automotive
for quality automotive repair,
maintenance, and installation. Our certified mechanics in Lewisville, TX take pride in providing the best
services available. Contact Fifth Gear Automotive today to schedule wheel alignment or other installation
or automotive repair service.
