Not sure what a misaligned wheel problem entails? These symptoms should help you trace the issue.
Your car wheels have a suspension system attached to them. When you purchased it, the system should have been appropriately configured so that the wheels are angled and positioned perfectly on the road surface. This helps you attain a smooth driving experience. But unfortunately, the wheels do not remain aligned forever. Over time, certain hiccups in driving cause them to get misaligned, adversely affecting the overall driving experience.
But how do you know that your vehicle is faced with a misalignment problem? Here are some symptoms of bad wheel alignment that will help you detect the problem:
Uneven Steering Wheel
When driving down a smooth road, your steering wheel should remain perfectly centered and straight. Examine the emblem at the center of the steering wheel. If it stays level while driving, the entering steering wheel is centered. In the case the emblem is a few degrees off level, it’s a clear indication that your steering wheel is uneven and requires alignment. Once you get your steering wheel treated, you’ll have much better control over your vehicle.
Your Tires are Squealing
As a result of a bad wheel alignment, the tire treads begin to wear out. As the situation gets worse, your will hear your tires squealing at two specific instants: when you step on the accelerator pedal and when the vehicle makes turns. However, squealing tires are also associated with other vehicle issues such as worn out brake pads. Hence, you’ll need to get your vehicle inspected from a local auto repairer, who’ll discover and address the problem for you.
Vehicle Pulling to One Side
This is the most common symptom for bad wheel alignment. You can whether the vehicle is pulling to one side or not. When driving straight on a low-traffic road, move your hands away from the steering wheel and observe what happens. If the steering wheel drifts or swerves to either right or left-hand side, your wheels are misaligned. Perform the same test on another suitable occasion to confirm the problem.
Not addressing the problem means you may face trouble driving straight as the vehicle may cross over into other lanes when you have a lose grip on the steering wheel.
Vibrating Steering Wheel
When your car wheels are off balance or have a bad alignment, they’ll cause your steering wheel to vibrate when you’re driving. This typically happens when a sudden blow knocks out the wheels off their original position. That’s why vehicle owners often face the problem after a collision.
Worn Out Tires
Since tires remain in contact with the ground, they are subject to wear and tear and have a limited lifespan. In the case of misaligned wheels, you’ll notice excessive wear on the inside and outside edges of the tires. However, if the outside of the front tires will show signs of cupping, you don’t have a wheel misalignment problem. It indicates that the tires are rotating fewer times than otherwise, causing the tread to thin out.
Conclusion
If you notice any of the symptoms explained above, contact your local auto repair shop immediately. The sooner you respond, the less complicated the problem will be.
To get your wheels re-aligned, contact Oceanworks Auto Shop in Berkeley.
