Barrys Tyre & Exhaust Centre - Tyre, Exhaust & Brake Specialists In Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, Hampshire

Wheel Alignment


In its most basic form, a wheel alignment or 'Tracking' consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. The purpose of these adjustments is maximum tyre life and a vehicle that tracks straight and true when driving along a straight and level road. Wheel Alignment is often confused with Wheel Balancing. The two really have nothing to do with each other except for the fact that they affect ride and handling. If a wheel is out of balance, it will cause a vibration at highway speeds that can be felt in the steering wheel and/or the seat. If the alignment is out, it can cause excessive tyre wear and steering or tracking problems. If you know anything about wheel alignment, you've probably heard the terms Camber, Caster and Toe-in.

In its most basic form, a wheel alignment or 'Tracking' consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. The purpose of these adjustments is maximum tyre life and a vehicle that tracks straight and true when driving along a straight and level road.

Wheel Alignment is often confused with Wheel Balancing. The two really have nothing to do with each other except for the fact that they affect ride and handling. If a wheel is out of balance, it will cause a vibration at highway speeds that can be felt in the steering wheel and/or the seat. If the alignment is out, it can cause excessive tyre wear and steering or tracking problems.

If you know anything about wheel alignment, you've probably heard the terms Camber, Caster and Toe-in.

Camber
Camber is the angle of the wheel, measured in degrees, when viewed from the front of the vehicle. If the top of the wheel is leaning out from the centre of the car, then the camber is positive ,if it's leaning in, then the camber is negative. If the camber is out of adjustment, it will cause tyre wear on one side of the tyre's tread. If the camber is too far negative, for instance, then the tire will wear on the inside of the tread. If the camber is different from side to side it can cause a pulling problem. The vehicle will pull to the side with the more positive camber. On many front-wheel-drive vehicles, camber is not adjustable. If the camber is out on these cars, it indicates that something is worn or bent, possibly from an accident and it must be repaired or replaced.

Camber

Camber is the angle of the wheel, measured in degrees, when viewed from the front of the vehicle. If the top of the wheel is leaning out from the centre of the car, then the camber is positive ,if it's leaning in, then the camber is negative. If the camber is out of adjustment, it will cause tyre wear on one side of the tyre's tread. If the camber is too far negative, for instance, then the tire will wear on the inside of the tread.

If the camber is different from side to side it can cause a pulling problem. The vehicle will pull to the side with the more positive camber. On many front-wheel-drive vehicles, camber is not adjustable. If the camber is out on these cars, it indicates that something is worn or bent, possibly from an accident and it must be repaired or replaced.

Caster
When you turn the steering wheel, the front wheels respond by turning on a pivot attached to the suspension system. Caster is the angle of this steering pivot, measured in degrees, when viewed from the side of the vehicle. If the top of the pivot is leaning toward the rear of the car, then the caster is positive, if it is leaning toward the front, it is negative. If the caster is out of adjustment, it can cause problems in straight line tracking. If the caster is different from side to side, the vehicle will pull to the side with the less positive caster. If the caster is equal but too negative, the steering will be light and the vehicle will wander and be difficult to keep in a straight line. If the caster is equal but too positive, the steering will be heavy and the steering wheel may kick when you hit a bump. Caster has little effect on tyre wear.

Caster

When you turn the steering wheel, the front wheels respond by turning on a pivot attached to the suspension system. Caster is the angle of this steering pivot, measured in degrees, when viewed from the side of the vehicle. If the top of the pivot is leaning toward the rear of the car, then the caster is positive, if it is leaning toward the front, it is negative. If the caster is out of adjustment, it can cause problems in straight line tracking. If the caster is different from side to side, the vehicle will pull to the side with the less positive caster. If the caster is equal but too negative, the steering will be light and the vehicle will wander and be difficult to keep in a straight line. If the caster is equal but too positive, the steering will be heavy and the steering wheel may kick when you hit a bump. Caster has little effect on tyre wear.

Toe in or Toe out
The toe measurement is the difference in the distance between the front of the tyres and the back of the tyres. It is measured in fractions; of millimetres, of degrees or of inches, and is usually set close to zero which means that the wheels are parallel with each other. Toe-in means that the fronts of the tyres are closer to each other than the rears. Toe-out is just the opposite. An incorrect toe-in will cause rapid tyre wear to both tyres equally. This type of tyre wear is called a saw-tooth wear pattern as shown in this illustration. If the sharp edges of the tread sections are pointing to the center of the car, then there is too much toe-in. If they are pointed to the outside of the car then there is too much toe-out. Toe is always adjustable on the front wheels and on some cars, is also adjustable for the rear wheels.

Toe in or Toe out

The toe measurement is the difference in the distance between the front of the tyres and the back of the tyres. It is measured in fractions; of millimetres, of degrees or of inches, and is usually set close to zero which means that the wheels are parallel with each other. Toe-in means that the fronts of the tyres are closer to each other than the rears. Toe-out is just the opposite. An incorrect toe-in will cause rapid tyre wear to both tyres equally. This type of tyre wear is called a saw-tooth wear pattern as shown in this illustration.

If the sharp edges of the tread sections are pointing to the center of the car, then there is too much toe-in. If they are pointed to the outside of the car then there is too much toe-out. Toe is always adjustable on the front wheels and on some cars, is also adjustable for the rear wheels.

Wheel Balance
Description: Wheel balance refers to the proper distribution of weight around a revolving tyre and wheel assembly. Poor wheel balance can have a marked impact on both your car and your safety. Purpose: Proper wheel balance ensures that the wheels, while spinning, do not have a heavy spot that can cause vibration and premature wear of tyres, struts, shocks and other steering and suspension components. When combined with proper wheel alignment, balanced wheels ensure smooth and enjoyable driving. The most common signs of unbalanced Tyres are vibration and noise problems. When driving with an out-of-balance wheel, the wheel literally bounces down the road rather than spinning smoothly. This can affect the speed and handling of your car. Many of today’s cars have lightweight suspension systems and are therefore, more sensitive to imbalance than older cars. It’s not uncommon for wheels to lose a wheel weight from time to time; so periodic balancing minimizes the impact of unbalanced wheels on your car.

Wheel Balance

Description: Wheel balance refers to the proper distribution of weight around a revolving tyre and wheel assembly. Poor wheel balance can have a marked impact on both your car and your safety.

Purpose: Proper wheel balance ensures that the wheels, while spinning, do not have a heavy spot that can cause vibration and premature wear of tyres, struts, shocks and other steering and suspension components. When combined with proper wheel alignment, balanced wheels ensure smooth and enjoyable driving. The most common signs of unbalanced Tyres are vibration and noise problems. When driving with an out-of-balance wheel, the wheel literally bounces down the road rather than spinning smoothly. This can affect the speed and handling of your car. Many of today’s cars have lightweight suspension systems and are therefore, more sensitive to imbalance than older cars. It’s not uncommon for wheels to lose a wheel weight from time to time; so periodic balancing minimizes the impact of unbalanced wheels on your car.


SIMPLY THE BEST - SERVICE & PRICE

SIMPLY THE BEST - SERVICE & PRICE


To make a booking or for all estimates please call us on 023 8026 9647 or email us - info@barrystyre.co.uk

To make a booking or for all estimates please call us on 023 8026 9647 or email us - info@barrystyre.co.uk