A lack of alignment on a vehicle can sometimes lead to an accident. For the safety of all, it is essential to have the alignment checked regularly and corrected if necessary.

What is Alignment Defect?

The alignment defect is a severe anomaly of the running gear of a vehicle. The wheels are not perpendicular to the road or parallel to each other.

There are two scenarios when observing a misalignment:

– The opening: the 2 axles of the wheels extend towards the outside of the vehicle.

– Toe: the 2 axles of the wheels tend towards the inside of the car.

Attention: do not confuse ” alignment ” and ” geometry.” Geometry refers to all the characteristics of the connection system between the vehicle wheel and the suspended part called the body.

Misalignment: Causes and Symptoms

The apparent signal of a misalignment problem is the vehicle that tends to shift to the left or right. This can lead to difficulties in maintaining the car’s trajectory correctly since the alignment of the vehicle is distorted.

Poor Alignment Can Be Caused By:

– the ascent of a fast-moving sidewalk;

– the passage over a pothole;

– a collision during which the bearing was damaged.

What Can You Do to Avoid a Bad Alignment?

It is always advisable to handle your vehicle with maximum care. That’s the best you can do!

Recommendation: If the alignment defect persists, it is better to have the condition of the vehicle checked quickly by a specialist.

Consequences of the Lack of Alignment

A lack of alignment is dangerous, as it often leads to:

– premature wear of the tire tread;

– poor road-holding of the vehicle, especially at high speeds;

– a modified trajectory in a straight line and curves;

– excessive fuel consumption.

Misalignment: Required Settings

A test bench is necessary to check the correction angle. The alignment adjustment consists in checking the angles of the wheel alignment. If there is a difference between the 2 axles of the wheels, the correction must be made by intervening on the axles. A nut is used to extend or shorten the rod, depending on whether it is an opening or a pinch.

Good to know: the price of a parallel adjustment is usually between 60 and 100 dollars.

So, if you suspect a misalignment problem, it should be corrected immediately. This is a delicate intervention which, if not carried out properly, can have serious consequences affecting overall road user safety. The adjustment can be made in a garage or car center, but also by anyone with real experience in car mechanics. Hope the above helps you out, do not forget to share your experience in the comment section below.