Steering Geometry Or Wheel Alignment

Vehicle manufacturers design cars with specific alignment / geometry settings and if there is even a slight deviation from this then the tyres will wear unevenly. We are now seeing the largest, lowest profile and most advanced tyres ever and as such, prices to match. Wheel Alignment/Steering Geometry is essential to protect this investment and serve to look after the only thing between your vehicle and the road itself.

The steering geometry is all of the alignment angles of your wheels in relation to each other and in relation to your vehicle. These angles have been engineered into your vehicle so that while you are driving on a flat surface your vehicle will not have a tendency of wandering over to the right or to the left. A well-aligned vehicle will help you straighten out again after you have turned a corner.

The correct alignment of your wheels depends on several components linking the steering wheel to the vehicle wheels. Components such as; tie rod ends, ball joints, steering rack and the strut. Wear in some of these components could alter the steering geometry.

Road humps are often blamed, although this is not usually the case. More often it is the pothole. A car driving even at 30 mph over a small pot hole will have a fraction of a second when the wheels are frozen in relation to the car's movement. This is enough to knock the wheel out of alignment. Should your vehicle hit a curb hard enough after a wheel alignment it is quite possible the impact could have altered the alignment.

Experts say wheels should be checked every three months. We do check Front Wheel Alignment as a part of our Service Schedule. Why not call or contact us for Wheel Alignment?