Check the Wheel Alignment for Steering Problems!
This time of year the roads are filled with deep potholes that are often hidden by a puddle of water or a patch of snow. You may notice that your car has developed steering problems, pulling or drifting to the left or right, or that there is too much "play" in the steering. You may not be sure whether the car alignment is off, or if there is damage to the suspension or braking system. There are four things your auto mechanic will look at before making a decision as to whether a wheel alignment, tire rotation, tire balancing, or some other type of repair is required.
Diagnosing Steering Problems:
- Eliminate tire problems before attempting to diagnose a wheel alignment problem:
- Have all four tires inflated to the recommended pressure.
- The tread and tire size should be the same on both front wheels. For example, don't drive with a snow tire on one side and a highway tire on the other side.
- Check the tires for unusual tread wear or damage.
- Examine the different aspects to front-end alignment for rear-wheel drive vehicles:
- Toe-in -- The front of each tire, when driving straight, points slightly to the centerline of the vehicle. Each tire has equal traction (bite) when cornering, but if it is angled inward too much, the OUTSIDE of the tire's tread wears more quickly.
- Castor -- This is the vertices angle of the centerline of the tire from front to back. The castor doesn't vary much, unless the ball joints, control arm bushings, or king pins are seriously worn.
- Camber -- This is the vertical angle of the centerline of the tire perpendicular to the cross-section of your car.
- Road test your vehicle on a flat, smooth highway, on a dry and calm day:
- Loosen your grip on the steering wheel enough to let the car proceed on its own. If the car pulls to the left or the right, you may need a wheel alignment.
- Listen for sounds from the front end of the car while driving slowly. Scraping, whining, or grinding sounds may indicate excessive friction as the tire tread rubs against the road.
- Have someone follow you to observe the front to back car alignment. If the front wheels are not tracking in the same groove as the back, you may have a bent frame.
- Unusual or excessive tread wear could be the result of other car problems, such as:
- Worn struts or shock absorbers.
- Worn out or loose wheel bearings, gear box, tie-rod ends, ball joints, upper and lower control arm bushings, and other steering components.
- Uneven distribution of heavy loads, poor driving habits--hard cornering, braking, or swerving.
Important Tip: Don't forget to take your vehicle for a drive following a car alignment service. That is the true test!
Wondering if you need a wheel alignment? Contact the ASE-Certified Technicians at Gary's Quality Automotive shop by calling (308) 381-2295 or go on-line at https://www.garysautoinc.com/ for more information. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE and Doniphan, NE.
This time of year the roads are filled with deep potholes that are often hidden by a puddle of water or a patch of snow. You may notice that your car has developed steering problems, pulling or drifting to the left or right, or that there is too much "play" in the steering. You may not be sure whether the car alignment is off, or if there is damage to the suspension or braking system. There are four things your auto mechanic will look at before making a decision as to whether a wheel alignment, tire rotation, tire balancing, or some other type of repair is required.
Diagnosing Steering Problems:
- Eliminate tire problems before attempting to diagnose a wheel alignment problem:
- Have all four tires inflated to the recommended pressure.
- The tread and tire size should be the same on both front wheels. For example, don't drive with a snow tire on one side and a highway tire on the other side.
- Check the tires for unusual tread wear or damage.
- Examine the different aspects to front-end alignment for rear-wheel drive vehicles:
- Toe-in -- The front of each tire, when driving straight, points slightly to the centerline of the vehicle. Each tire has equal traction (bite) when cornering, but if it is angled inward too much, the OUTSIDE of the tire's tread wears more quickly.
- Castor -- This is the vertices angle of the centerline of the tire from front to back. The castor doesn't vary much, unless the ball joints, control arm bushings, or king pins are seriously worn.
- Camber -- This is the vertical angle of the centerline of the tire perpendicular to the cross-section of your car.
- Road test your vehicle on a flat, smooth highway, on a dry and calm day:
- Loosen your grip on the steering wheel enough to let the car proceed on its own. If the car pulls to the left or the right, you may need a wheel alignment.
- Listen for sounds from the front end of the car while driving slowly. Scraping, whining, or grinding sounds may indicate excessive friction as the tire tread rubs against the road.
- Have someone follow you to observe the front to back car alignment. If the front wheels are not tracking in the same groove as the back, you may have a bent frame.
- Unusual or excessive tread wear could be the result of other car problems, such as:
- Worn struts or shock absorbers.
- Worn out or loose wheel bearings, gear box, tie-rod ends, ball joints, upper and lower control arm bushings, and other steering components.
- Uneven distribution of heavy loads, poor driving habits--hard cornering, braking, or swerving.
Important Tip: Don't forget to take your vehicle for a drive following a car alignment service. That is the true test!
Wondering if you need a wheel alignment? Contact the ASE-Certified Technicians at Gary's Quality Automotive shop by calling (308) 381-2295 or go on-line at https://www.garysautoinc.com/ for more information. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE and Doniphan, NE.
