"A Wheel Alignment consists of adjusting the suspension, which connects the wheels to the vehicle. A proper alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels so that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other."
Here in Canada, we have 5 seasons: Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring, and Pothole season. As the roads freeze and thaw, the water erodes some of the dirt in the base layers below the road, and the pavement becomes weakened. As vehicles drive over these weak spots, the pavement starts to crack and chip away, resulting in potholes. And with every vehicle that hits them, they get worse.
Something as simple as hitting a curb or one pothole can cause your vehicle to be out of alignment, and if your wheel alignment is even slightly off, it can cause premature, uneven tire wear, and it can have an impact on the handling and safety of your vehicle through the affected steering and suspension components.
Deeper potholes can damage your rims and cause suspension damage like a broken ball joint or a blown strut.
Wheel Alignments consist of adjusting your vehicle's:
| Camber Angle which the wheels sit on the road, from the front of the vehicle. If the camber is out of alignment this will cause tire wear and accuracy issues. |
Toe Measurement of the distance between the wheels at the front and back of the tire. If they are pointed IN or OUT it will cause excessive tire wear. |
Caster Angle which the suspension is situated to pivot your wheels. If the caster is out of alignment, the steering will be loose and difficult to control. |
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Signs you need wheel alignment:
- Your steering pulls to one side - particularly noticeable when you're braking. This may not seem like a big deal at low speeds, but if you were to have to brake hard, it could significantly affect your ability to manage and control the car.
- You feel the car bouncing or swaying, especially on turns. That means your suspension has been impacted and can affect everything from shocks and struts to ball joints, bearings, and the steering rack.
- The vehicle feels at though it's sitting lower in the front or back.
- If any of your wheels have cuts, breaks, abrasions or bubbles in them, you may have hit a pothole which has damaged your tires. This is something that's crucial to pay attention to, as you could experience a blowout, especially on the highway. A bulge could be a result of a tear on the inside lining of your tire. If you run your hand along the sidewall you'll feel it.
- The vehicle bottoms out when driving
- Your control of the vehicle is affected when suddenly stopping.
- Your might notice a vibration when you're driving.
Preventative measures you can take to avoid pothole damage:
- Keep an eye out for potholes - if you leave more distance between you and the car in front of you, you'll have a better chance of seeing them and avoiding them. Be careful of swerving dangerously though.
- Pay attention to others on the road - you may notice cyclists and other cars swerving to avoid them.
- If you can't avoid a pothole, slow down as much as you safely can, and then just as you're about to hit the pothole, take your foot off the brake. Don't hit the brakes hard as you go over it. That's worse because you're shifting the vehicle's weight forward and hitting the pothole harder.
- Watch out for puddles too - there could be a pothole there.
- Stay off seams at the edges of the road where potholes often develop.
- Keep your tires properly inflated to give you as much cushioning as possible. While this won't help with a deep pothole, it will handle the smaller ones.
If you hit a bad pothole, make sure you inspect your tires. Even if you don't see any visible damage, it's a good idea to bring your car in to have it checked if you experience any of the signs above.
Protect your investment and avoid future costly repairs by booking your wheel alignment if you experience any evidence of possible issues.
Our wheel alignments include:
* Computerized wheel alignment with toe adjustment
* Front and rear suspension system inspection
* Steering component inspection
* Written report
* Manufacturer's check