It's hard to imagine life without cars, but the reality is that they do break down occasionally and need maintenance from time to time to keep them operating safely and properly. One of the most important things that are on the list is the wheel alignment.
Whether you have an old beater or a brand new hot rod, it doesn’t take much for the wheels to get out of alignment. The reasons could be potholes, speed bumps or curbs. But when it does happen you will be able to feel it in the way it handles and drives.
When your car alignment has been compromised, so does safety. The car will tend to pull towards the left or right, depending on which side the misalignment happened. Needless to say, this is both unsafe and uncomfortable to deal with.
What do we mean by Proper Wheel Alignment?
When a mechanic takes a look to find out what is causing the misalignment, they are looking at three things; toe, caster, and camber:
- Toe alignment has to do with the position the tires are in when looked at from above. If both are angled inward or outward, like a person's feet, it is toe misalignment.
- Camber alignment is similar, except it is looked at from the front of the car. If the wheels look misaligned, it is a camber issue.
- The caster angle has to do with tires position when viewed from the side, or in relation to the axle.
When there are toe and camber issues it is caused by bearings, and ball joints becoming worn out. Caster issues are caused by faulty steering systems.
When your vehicle has the correct car alignment, not only will the car be safer and more comfortable to drive, it also helps slow down the process of premature tread wear.
If your vehicle is getting hard to steer straight, have the wheel alignment checked as soon as possible. Contact our ASE Certified Auto Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about car alignment issues. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.
It's hard to imagine life without cars, but the reality is that they do break down occasionally and need maintenance from time to time to keep them operating safely and properly. One of the most important things that are on the list is the wheel alignment.
Whether you have an old beater or a brand new hot rod, it doesn’t take much for the wheels to get out of alignment. The reasons could be potholes, speed bumps or curbs. But when it does happen you will be able to feel it in the way it handles and drives.
When your car alignment has been compromised, so does safety. The car will tend to pull towards the left or right, depending on which side the misalignment happened. Needless to say, this is both unsafe and uncomfortable to deal with.
What do we mean by Proper Wheel Alignment?
When a mechanic takes a look to find out what is causing the misalignment, they are looking at three things; toe, caster, and camber:
- Toe alignment has to do with the position the tires are in when looked at from above. If both are angled inward or outward, like a person's feet, it is toe misalignment.
- Camber alignment is similar, except it is looked at from the front of the car. If the wheels look misaligned, it is a camber issue.
- The caster angle has to do with tires position when viewed from the side, or in relation to the axle.
When there are toe and camber issues it is caused by bearings, and ball joints becoming worn out. Caster issues are caused by faulty steering systems.
When your vehicle has the correct car alignment, not only will the car be safer and more comfortable to drive, it also helps slow down the process of premature tread wear.
If your vehicle is getting hard to steer straight, have the wheel alignment checked as soon as possible. Contact our ASE Certified Auto Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about car alignment issues. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.
