5 Signs To Know If You Need A Wheel Alignment

A wheel alignment is one of the most overlooked routine maintenance tasks. However, a misaligned set of wheels can cause a whole host of problems from an uncomfortable ride to an unsafe driving situation. Here are five Signs To Know If You Need A Wheel Alignment.

1) Uneven or Rapid Tire Wear

When you don’t have perfectly aligned wheels, your tires will experience uneven tire wear. This will result in you having to replace one tire earlier than the rest. Also, you may be unaware that one of your tires is wearing out faster. That can cause some driving and control issues when you are on the road. Therefore, it is a good idea to check all four of your tires every once in a while. If you notice that one of the tires are wearing out faster than the others, then that is a big sign that your vehicle has an alignment issue.

2) Steering Wheel is Crooked When You Are Driving Straight

If you are driving straight and your steering wheel is slightly crooked, then that is a big sign that your vehicle’s alignment is off. This can cause your vehicle to veer out of its lane if you are not paying attention. Be sure to pay attention to the position of your steering wheel while you are driving straight. If you have a crooked steering wheel, you can find qualified Brisbane mechanics who can check out the issue.

3) Noisy Steering

Does your vehicle make a strange sound when you are steering? That is another sign that your vehicle’s alignment needs to be looked out. That noise could be the sound of one wheel or two wheels for trying to overcompensate for the miss alignment. If you get into a situation that you have to make a sudden steer, you may not get the response that you want. Therefore, you will want to have that noisy steering issue checked out right away.

4) Your Vehicle is Pulling to the Left or to the Right

When driving down the highway, pay attention to your vehicle’s steadiness and control. If the vehicle is pulling to the left or two the right, then that is a big sign that the wheel alignment has to be looked at. You don’t want to get into a situation where the vehicle requires you to do lots of work in order to keep the vehicle on a straight line. Once you have your vehicle’s wheel’s aligned, you will be able to experience a smoother and steadier right.

5) Squealing Tires

Do you notice that your tires are squealing when you turn or steer? That tire squealing is the result of all four of your wheels not being perfectly planted on the road. There may be one of two wheels that are being pulled to one side because of alignment issues. Once you have your alignment fixed, you will notice that the squealing will go away.

What is a Wheel Alignment?

During a wheel alignment, the mechanic will adjust the wheels according to the manufacturer’s specifications. This will ensure that the vehicle will have the ideal road contact. A wheel alignment will also help out with fuel mileage.

How Long Does a Wheel Alignment Take?

A typical four-wheel alignment will take about an hour. During the wheel alignment, the mechanic will check the ball joint, track rod, suspension, or steering bushing to ensure there is no damage to those parts of the vehicle. If there any damage to the parts of the vehicle for the alignment, then the process will take longer.

How Much Does a Wheel Alignment Cost?

A full wheel alignment will cost about $153 AUD. However, you can find some service centers or mechanics that will offer a lifetime package that will allow you to get regular wheel alignments for the time that you own your car.

Keeping Your Vehicle In Control With Regular Wheel Alignments

Regular wheel alignments will help contribute to a smoother ride, will improve your gas mileage, and help you save on tire cost. You can find qualified mechanics that can provide affordable wheel alignment service.