How to tell if you need a Front End Alignment
Does your car pull to one side if you let go of the steering wheel when driving? Are your tires worn on one side of the tread? if so it is likely that you will need a front end alignment or tracking check. These however are the extreme indicators of your tracking being out and needing realigning.
If you regularly drive up kerbs and such, even this can put out your tracking to some degree. Also, because your steering geometry relies upon mechanical parts and these are prone to wear over time, again a front end alignment is a good thing to have done periodically. It is not unreasonable to have the tracking on your car checked every 6 months. Particularly as many tire fitting locations will carry out an alignment check for free and will only charge you if adjustment is required.
Having a regular front end alignment check is a good practice economy wise as well as a safety issue. If your tracking is out to any degree tire wear will increase and you will be replacing those tires much sooner than you should be. Also of course, wear will be increased on associated mechanicals. And replacement in this area will cost you far more than the price of a tracking adjustment.
Having a front end alignment check is a simple process and can be carried out in a matter of a few minutes. Most checks these days are carried out using laser devices. A light emitting device is fixed to the rear wheel and a receiver is placed on the front wheel. The receiver is graduated to show where the light hits and the person doing the checking can then see if the tracking is out, using a manual or graph that shows what the tracking should be for your vehicle.
It is normal for a slight toe in stance for your front wheels as this helps stability on the road. However how much toe in you need for your vehicle is set by the manufacturer of your vehicle and it is important that this is set accurately or excess tire wear will be experienced.
In addition, during the alignment check, camber is checked as well, which is how perpindicular your wheel is in comparison to the road. Again, this is a manufacturer setting but there is some adjustment here as wear again can change the amount of camber on your vehicle. However, camber is generally harder to adjust than toe in.
Having your front end alignment checked should be seen as part of your regular vehicle maintenance, just as servicing is. It will help to avoid unwanted expense and will maintain the safety of your vehicle on the road.
