When it comes to maintaining your vehicle, wheel alignment often falls by the wayside compared to more apparent issues such as tyre wear or steering difficulties. However, a misaligned rear axle can lead to severe consequences for your car’s performance, safety, and longevity. Ensuring proper alignment is a crucial aspect of vehicle upkeep. This article aims to guide you through the steps you should follow to ensure the proper alignment of a UK car’s rear axle. The topic will be addressed in five parts, namely the importance of wheel alignment, understanding alignment angles, diagnosing misalignment, correcting the alignment, and maintaining alignment.
The Importance of Wheel Alignment
Maintaining the correct wheel alignment is key to ensuring your car operates at its optimal performance level. The term ‘alignment’ refers to the way the wheels of your car line up with each other and how they connect with the road. This includes the front and rear wheels and the vehicle’s steering system.
When your car leaves the production line, it is set to the manufacturer’s specific alignment settings. These settings are designed to provide the best balance of tyre wear, vehicle handling, and fuel efficiency. Over time, however, various factors can cause your vehicle’s alignment to shift. Potentially damaging elements include hitting kerbs, driving over potholes, or even just general wear and tear.
Incorrectly aligned wheels can lead to an array of issues. These include uneven tyre wear, impaired handling, increased fuel consumption, and strain on the vehicle’s suspension. Furthermore, it can lead to excessive stress on the vehicle’s axle and damage to the steering components.
Understanding Alignment Angles
To ensure the correct alignment, it is essential to understand the three primary alignment angles: toe, camber, and caster.
Toe refers to the angle at which the tyres are pointed relative to the centre line of the vehicle. If the front edge of the tyres point towards the centre line, the wheels have a ‘toe-in’. If they’re angled outwards, they have a ‘toe-out’. Incorrect toe settings can cause reduced tyre life due to increased wear.
Camber is the angle of the wheel viewed from the front of the vehicle. If the top of the wheel leans out from the centre of the car, it has a positive camber. If it leans inwards, it has a negative camber. Incorrect camber settings can cause uneven tyre wear and affect the vehicle’s handling.
Caster is the angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side of the vehicle. Positive caster means the steering axis tilts towards the driver, while negative caster signifies it tilting towards the front of the vehicle. Caster influences directional stability and steering ease.
Understanding these angles aids in diagnosing and fixing alignment issues.
Diagnosing Misalignment
Identifying signs of misalignment can save you money on repairs and prevent safety risks. The most common symptoms of misalignment include uneven tyre wear, your vehicle pulling to one side, or your steering wheel not returning easily after a turn.
A great way to check for wheel alignment issues is to perform a ‘roll test’. This involves driving the vehicle slowly in a straight line and letting go of the steering wheel. If the vehicle continues straight, the alignment is likely correct. However, if it veers to one side, this could indicate a problem.
Also, inspect your tyres regularly for uneven wear patterns. Irregular wear on one side of a tyre could be an indication of misalignment.
Correcting the Alignment
Aligning the rear axle is a task best left to professionals with the correct equipment and training. However, understanding the process can ensure you make informed decisions about your vehicle’s maintenance.
A wheel alignment service involves adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. The mechanic will start by mounting a sensor on each wheel. These sensors connect to a computer, which provides readings of the current alignment angles.
The mechanic will then compare these readings to the manufacturer’s specifications. If the readings do not match the specifications, the mechanic will adjust the wheels until they do.
Maintaining Alignment
Once the alignment is corrected, it is crucial to maintain it. Regularly inspect your tyres for uneven wear and regularly check for signs of misalignment. It is recommended to have your vehicle’s alignment checked every 10,000 miles or at least once a year. Avoiding driving over potholes or hitting kerbs can also help maintain the alignment.
In conclusion, ensuring the proper alignment of your car’s wheels is a crucial aspect of vehicle maintenance. Understanding the alignment angles and signs of misalignment can help you identify and address any issues promptly. Regular checks and professional alignment services can ensure your vehicle operates safely and efficiently.
The Role of the Suspension System and the Thrust Angle
The vehicle’s suspension system and thrust angle also play a pivotal role in ensuring the proper alignment of your car’s rear axle. The suspension system’s function is to maximize the friction between the tyres and the road surface, provide steering stability, and ensure the comfort of the passengers.
The suspension system comprises various components, including the chassis or frame, coil springs, leaf springs, dampers, anti-sway bars, and control arms. A misalignment in any of these parts can lead to a domino effect, causing misalignment in your vehicle’s axle.
The thrust angle is the direction that the rear wheels are pointing in relation to the center line of the vehicle. If the thrust angle is not zero, the vehicle will “dog track,” meaning the car will appear to be crabbing sideways down the road. This can lead to uneven tyre wear and an uncomfortable ride. A professional can measure and adjust the thrust angle as part of a wheel alignment service to ensure your vehicle drives in a straight line.
Understanding the roles of these components in wheel alignment is crucial to maintaining your vehicle’s performance and safety.
Factoring in the Ride Height and Centre of Gravity
The ride height and centre of gravity of your vehicle also significantly influence the wheel alignment.
Ride height refers to the distance between the base of an automobile tire and the underside of the vehicle. Altering the ride height can affect the alignment angles. For instance, lowering the ride height can increase the negative camber, leading to the tires wearing more on the inside. On the other hand, raising the ride height can increase positive camber, causing the tires to wear more on the outside.
The centre of gravity is the point in a car where it would balance if it were possible to suspend it at that point. It’s also the point around which the car rotates in pitch (nose up and down), roll (side to side), and yaw (around the vertical axis). Changes in the vehicle’s load can shift the center of gravity, affecting the suspension angles and consequently the wheel alignment.
In light of this, it’s essential to always consider your vehicle’s load and adjust it accordingly to maintain proper alignment.
Conclusion
Maintaining optimal wheel alignment is not merely a once-and-done procedure. It requires consistent monitoring, regular checks, and understanding various elements such as alignment angles, the suspension system, thrust angle, ride height, and the centre of gravity. Keep an eye out for signs of misalignment, such as uneven tyre wear or the car pulling to one side, and seek professional help when needed. By doing so, you can enhance the longevity, performance, fuel efficiency, and safety of your vehicle. In a nutshell, a small effort in ensuring proper wheel alignment can lead to significant benefits in the long run.
