Can A Wheel Alignment Really Help Your Car
Advantages of A Wheel Alignment
Why You Need a Wheel Alignment
Your wheels were aligned . . . once upon a time. So, why might you need a wheel alignment now? Remember that speed bump you didn't see and sailed over at full throttle? Do you recall that crater that somebody called a pothole that your front tire fell into at 55 mph? Or have you often mentioned to yourself that somebody needs to repave that washboard street you take to work every morning? Fender bender? Any one of those things--a severe jolt, repeated smaller road inclusions, or an accident--can skew your wheel alignment. Simply stated, if your car is out of alignment, you need to get that taken care of sooner rather than later. To do that, count on Mad Hatter Auto Repair in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Wheel Alignment Explained
Wheel alignment refers to the major suspension angles. It's the relationship of the vehicle's wheels to one another and to the auto body. The major angles are camber, caster, toe, and thrust. Camber is the amount of right or left tilt of the wheels. Caster is the slope of the line drawn in one's mind through the upper and lower ball joints. This imaginary slope affects steering. Toe refers to the difference in distance between the back and front of the front tires. Thrust is the relationship of the front wheels to the rear axle. The specific type of alignment you will need depends upon the kind of vehicle you drive. An all-wheel-drive automobile or a front-wheel-drive with adjustable rear suspension calls for all wheels to be aligned. Generally, others need a front-wheel only alignment. It is possible in this case, however, that the vehicle will need a thrust-angle alignment performed on the rear wheels to bring them into proper relationship with the car's center. Regardless of the method, the goal is to square the axles and wheels to orient the moving parts similarly.
The Advantages Add Up
Once you have a wheel alignment performed, your steering wheel is centered, your steering is straight, and your wheels move as intended. That's important. When your wheels are misaligned, the costs can quickly add up, soon exceeding what you would have spent to attend to the issue promptly. In tangible terms, poor alignment places extra stress on other components such as joints. They wear out sooner than they should. Tires suffer, too. You'll notice that they wear more in some spots than others and need replacement before you plan. More importantly, this issue puts a price on your safety because you have less control over your car. As you can see, the advantages of getting wheel alignment at Mad Hatter Auto Repair truly add up.