What Parts are inspected with an alignment?

Proper vehicle alignment is crucial to maintaining the handling, safety, and longevity of your car. Misalignment can lead to uneven tire wear, poor fuel efficiency, and compromised driving control, which may affect your overall driving experience. To ensure that your vehicle’s wheels are correctly aligned, a comprehensive inspection of several key components is necessary. In this article, we will explore the parts that are typically inspected and adjusted during a proper vehicle alignment.

1. Tires

While tires themselves are not directly part of the alignment process, they play a vital role in it. Inspecting the condition of the tires is one of the first steps in alignment services. Uneven tire wear can be a sign of poor alignment, with certain areas of the tire becoming worn down faster than others. Mechanics will check for wear patterns, such as:

• Toe wear: Tires that have been excessively worn on the inside or outside edges can be a sign of toe misalignment.
• Camber wear: If the top or bottom of the tire is more worn than the rest of the tread, this can point to camber misalignment.
• Cupping or scalloping: This occurs when there are uneven pressure points on the tire, often due to misalignment issues in the suspension.

In addition to checking the tread wear, the tire pressure is also inspected to ensure it is at the recommended level. Incorrect tire pressure can contribute to poor alignment or exacerbate existing issues.

2. Suspension Components

The suspension system plays a critical role in maintaining the correct alignment of the wheels. Several components of the suspension system are inspected for wear and damage during an alignment check:

• Ball joints: These joints connect the control arms to the steering knuckles, and any wear or looseness in them can cause poor handling and misalignment. They are essential for the alignment of the vehicle’s wheels.
• Control arms: These arms are responsible for connecting the chassis to the wheels. If they are bent, worn out, or loose, they can lead to misalignment and handling problems.
• Tie rods: These rods connect the steering mechanism to the wheels. If they are damaged or worn, they can affect the toe setting (how the wheels are angled relative to each other), leading to improper alignment and steering issues.
• Bushings: These rubber or polyurethane components help reduce friction and absorb shocks in the suspension system. Worn-out bushings can cause the suspension to lose its stability, which can result in misalignment.

Any worn suspension components must be repaired or replaced before a proper alignment can be achieved.

3. Steering System

The steering system is another critical part of the alignment process. Misalignment can be the result of issues in the steering mechanism, particularly in how the steering rack or steering linkage functions. The following components are checked during alignment:

• Steering rack: The steering rack converts the rotational motion of the steering wheel into the linear motion required to turn the wheels. If the rack is worn or damaged, it can cause alignment issues and affect the vehicle’s steering response.
• Steering linkage: This set of components connects the steering rack to the wheels. If the linkage is loose or damaged, it can lead to improper steering angles and alignment problems.

Ensuring that the steering system is properly aligned is essential for the vehicle to track straight and provide responsive handling.

4. Wheel Bearings

Wheel bearings allow the wheels to rotate smoothly with minimal friction. Over time, these bearings can wear out, causing excessive movement in the wheels, which can lead to misalignment. Mechanics will check for any play in the wheel bearings by physically testing the wheels for any wobble or looseness. If the bearings are worn, they must be replaced before the alignment process can be completed.

5. Shocks and Struts

Shocks and struts are crucial for maintaining vehicle stability and comfort. These components absorb bumps and prevent the vehicle from bouncing too much, ensuring that the tires remain in contact with the road. Worn shocks or struts can cause the vehicle to sit unevenly, which affects the alignment. During the inspection, technicians will check for signs of leakage or damage, as well as perform a “bounce test” to assess the effectiveness of these components. If shocks or struts are found to be ineffective, they must be replaced to restore the vehicle’s proper alignment.

6. Camber, Toe, and Caster Angles

Once the suspension and steering components have been checked and any necessary repairs made, the technician will focus on the alignment angles. These angles ensure that the wheels are positioned correctly for optimal tire wear, fuel efficiency, and handling.

• Camber: This refers to the tilt of the wheel when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle. A wheel that tilts inward or outward from the top can cause uneven tire wear. The camber angle must be adjusted to ensure the tires wear evenly and the vehicle handles properly.
• Toe: Toe refers to the angle at which the tires point relative to the centerline of the vehicle when viewed from above. If the wheels are pointed inward or outward too much, it can cause excessive wear on the tires and poor handling. The toe angle is adjusted to ensure the wheels point in the proper direction.
• Caster: The caster angle affects steering and vehicle stability. It’s the angle of the steering pivot when viewed from the side of the vehicle. If the caster angle is off, it can cause the vehicle to pull to one side or result in hard-to-turn steering.

All of these angles must be within the manufacturer’s specifications for the vehicle to drive straight and handle well.

7. Alignment Equipment

To properly inspect and adjust these components, specialized alignment equipment is used. Alignment machines use sensors and cameras to precisely measure the angles of the wheels and compare them to the vehicle’s specifications. This ensures that any misalignment is accurately corrected.

Conclusion

Proper wheel alignment involves the careful inspection and adjustment of various parts of the vehicle, including the tires, suspension system, steering mechanism, wheel bearings, shocks and struts, and alignment angles. Regular alignment checks are important for ensuring the vehicle drives straight, handles properly, and avoids premature tire wear. If you notice your vehicle pulling to one side, the steering wheel is off-center, or your tires are wearing unevenly, it’s time to get a professional alignment. By keeping these components in optimal condition, you not only improve safety and handling but also extend the life of your tires and the vehicle itself.