Wheel Alignment

Wheel alignment is the process of making mechanical adjustment so that the position of the wheels are correct relative to your car. When properly aligned, the wheels stand up straight and point straight when you're going straight.

Improper Wheel Alignment will cause the wheels to fight your steering commands, as well as causing the wheels to fight each other.  If the wheels are fighting against each other, it will cause accelerated tire tread wear and poor gas mileage, both of which are costly.

We use computerized alignment equipment to measure all alignment angles on today's cars. These include both adjustable and non-adjustable angles. (To correct non-adjustable alignment angles, the damaged part must be identified and replaced.) The most common adjustable angles are:

Toe

This refers to the tilted direction of the wheels toward or away from one another when viewed from the top. Toe is the most critical tire wearing angle. Tires that "toe-in" point toward one another (pigeon toed). Tires that "toe-out" point away from each other (splay-footed).

Camber

This refers to the tilt of the wheels toward or away from one another when viewed from the front. Wheels that tilt in toward the vehicle have "negative camber." Wheels that tilt away from the vehicle have "positive camber."

Caster

This refers to the angle of the steering axis in relation to an imaginary vertical line through the center of the wheel when viewed from the side. "Positive caster" is the term used when the vertical line is tilted back toward the rear. If it's tilted forward, we call it "negative caster." The proper caster angle stabilizes your car for better steering. Caster is also used to counter the tendency for the vehicle to veer to the low side of the pavement.  Too much of a difference in the caster from one side to the other side of you vehicle can make the car pull.

Thrust Angle

This refers to the relationship of all four wheels to each other, as well as their relationship to an imaginary center line that runs from bumper to bumper. The term "thrust line" refers to the direction in which the rear wheels are pointed. Thrust angle is correctable on cars with adjustable rear suspensions. If your car has a non-adjustable suspension, thrust angle is compensated for by aligning the front wheels to the rear wheels.

To learn more about Wheel Alignment, See "Polly's Blog": The Importance of Wheel Alignment.

If you think your vehicle may need a wheel alignment, bring your vehicle to Clearview Tire & Auto Service for a correct diagnosis and professional guaranteed repairs which includes our Certified Auto Repair Nationwide Warranty.  We're in Hopkinsville, not far from Ft. Campbell and we've been here since 1952. Most repairs include one year FREE towing and roadside assistance, good 24/7 coast-to-coast.