Wheel Alignment Service
The best way to get the most life out of your tires is to make sure that they are always in proper alignment, and that’s true whether they’re brand new or already have thousands of miles on them. Wheels that haven’t been properly aligned can lead to tires that wear out faster, and sometimes unevenly. Ride comfort is negatively affected, along with handling. Germain Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has this helpful guide to the different aspects of wheel alignment, the process, and why it’s all so important.
Wheel Alignment Explained
The wheels are attached to the rest of the car by the suspension, and it is by making adjustments to this system that the wheels are brought into alignment with the rest of the vehicle and the road. There are three different factors that contribute to wheel alignment, all of which relate to each other and are vital parts of a proper alignment. Understanding these concepts can help you recognize when your vehicle needs an alignment adjustment.
Camber – Camber is the tilt of the wheel on a horizontal axis. When this is out of alignment, you will sometimes see the tops of the wheels pointed either outward or inward. Improper camber will put extra stress on ball joints, bearings, and other suspension components. It can also cause uneven tire wear.
Toe – This is also a measure of the tilt in the wheels, but this time on a vertical axis. Wheels that aren’t properly aligned will point either left or right when they’re supposed to be pointing straight ahead. Having toe out of alignment can lead to handling problems and uneven tire wear, especially if the wheels are pointing in different directions.
Caster – Caster refers to the angle of the steering axis, and the suspension components that join to the wheel to create this angle. Having a wheel or wheels misaligned with this axis will create a problem with camber while cornering.
Signs or Symptoms of Improper Wheel Alignment
With as vital as it is to make sure your vehicle’s wheel alignment is correct, it’s fortunate that the signs of an improper alignment are generally pretty easy to spot. This can tell you when it’s time to have your alignment adjusted by the specialists at Germain Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
Tire tread wearing unevenly – The first and most obvious thing to look for here is one side of your tire wearing down more than the other. This is a pretty clear sign of the camber being out of alignment, and should be taken care of as soon as possible.
Steering wheel is off center – while driving in a straight, your steering wheel should also be straight ahead. If it’s not, that means you need an alignment.
Vibration in the steering wheel – While it’s normal to feel vibration on rough surfaces, your steering wheel shouldn’t be vibrating on smooth surfaces, and it’s usually a sign of damaged suspension components or uneven tire wear.
Pulling to one side – Feeling a constant pull to one side of the road or the other while driving is a pretty sure indicator that you need an alignment.
Wheel Alignments at Germain Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Choosing Germain Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for your vehicle service needs is how you know it’s in the hands of a technician trained specifically to service your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram vehicle. They use the latest in wheel alignment equipment to ensure laser precision in the alignment of your wheels.
Your vehicle and its maintenance are important, don’t trust it to just anyone. The team of experts at Germain Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram are here to make sure the job is done right.
