Wheel alignment at Teräs-Rengas in Oulu. How do you know if your car needs alignment?

Four-wheel alignment at Teräs-Rengas in Oulu.
At Teräs-Rengas, we can perform four-wheel alignment for all vehicles. Four-wheel alignment involves correctly aligning all four wheels. This type of alignment is necessary especially for four-wheel drive cars, but also beneficial for other vehicles. Aligning a car's wheels involves adjusting the car's suspension and the angle of the wheels in relation to the road.

How is the adjustment of a car's steering angles done? Why do they need to be adjusted?
As a vehicle ages, the steering angles of its wheels can become misaligned. You might notice this misalignment if the vehicle pulls to the right or left on the road. Unusual vibrations, premature tire wear, or increased rolling resistance of the tires can also indicate steering angle misalignment. Difficulty in steering suggests a need for adjusting the steering angles. It's recommended to perform alignment when changing tires and at the intervals specified in the vehicle's manual, but at least every 2-3 years.

Four-wheel alignment includes the adjustment of these three angles:

Toe angle adjustment: The toe angle refers to the position of the wheels in relation to the vehicle's center line. The angle can be either positive, where the wheels tilt towards the center line, or negative, where they point away from it. Negative toe improves steering response but also increases tire wear. Positive toe improves the vehicle's driving stability, especially at high speeds when driving straight.

Camber adjustment: The camber angle is the angle between the vertical axis of the wheel and the vertical axis of the vehicle as viewed from the front. Adjusting this angle affects the car's grip on straight roads and while cornering. The more vertical the wheel's positioning angle, the better the grip for straight driving. Negative camber improves grip in corners and during braking, reducing tire wear. Positive camber decreases vehicle controllability and is therefore not usually used in standard passenger cars. It's important to note that camber cannot be adjusted on all vehicles.

Caster angle adjustment: The caster angle is the steering angle between the vertical axis of the wheel and the steering axis when the vehicle is viewed from the side. This angle can be either positive or negative. Positive caster improves the vehicle's directional stability at high speeds, helps maintain a driving line, and increases wheel tilt in corners, thus enhancing cornering performance. However, it can make steering heavier if the car doesn't have power steering. Negative caster is primarily found in older vehicles where the tire technologies and body structures may require it.

Here's a tip on how to recognize if your vehicle might need a four-wheel alignment?
- The vehicle pulls to the right or left.
- The steering wheel shakes.
- The steering wheel is off-center.
- The steering feels loose, something might be wrong with the wheel alignment.
- The ride feels uneven.
- Tire wears on the outer edge, inner edge, or center.
- Do the tires make an unusual noise? First, check if the brake pads are worn out.
- Diagonal or uneven wear. Are the tires' rotating directions correct?

Text and images: www.teras-rengas.fi