![]() The rolling backward and forward and the steering of the wheel tells the machine exactly where the car is and the tracking of the targets lets the machine calculate what the initial camber, caster and toe measurements are. The pins that hold the low friction plates in place are then removed and the front wheels are steered left to right about 20 degrees. This causes the targets to rotate with the wheels, which are tracked by the machine. They will then roll the car backward and forward a small distance. Once the car is positioned on the hoist, the technician will attach the targets to each of the four wheels. At first though, while the car is being loaded onto the hoist and the initial calibration is taking place, the plates are held in place by pins. These plates also allow the car to be steered without scrubbing the tires. This is all done while the car is sitting on a hoist that has low friction plates under each wheel so that the tires can move side to side and forward and backward without any resistance. Lasers housed in the crossbar mounted high up on the machine shine down on these targets, and the reflection is used to very accurately measure the position of each target. The targets are attached using a set of precision clamps that grab the edges of each wheel and can adjust for any size and type of wheel. ![]() Many modern machines work by using lasers bounced off of targets hooked to each wheel. ![]() For this work you should expect to pay around $100-150. Most good tire stores will have a wheel alignment machine and can provide the alignment service on your car. Poor suspension alignment can also lead to worse fuel economy since your car has to work harder to roll the tires down the road if they aren’t pointing in the right directions. Your suspension alignment should be checked and adjusted every few years as part of normal periodic maintenance to keep your tires from wearing improperly. It doesn’t take much for the alignment, especially the toe setting (which we’ll discuss in a bit), to change. Either of these - or similar events - could have caused some suspension components to bend slightly or for the suspension bolts to slip a bit. You may have hit a large pothole, or run into a curb. ![]() This is very common and can be caused by a number of things. Ignore Front End Alignments at Your Own Risk!Have you ever wondered why your car seems to be eating tires at an alarming rate or why it doesn’t go straight down the road when the steering wheel is centered or why it wants to head off into the weeds every time you let go of the wheel? It may be that the alignment of your suspension is off and needs to be adjusted. Our Wheel Balancing Specialist at Phil's Service is proudly serving all the vehicle owners in Killeen, TX, and other surrounding areas. While the front-end alignment might seem like a maintenance repair with little consequences if neglected, your entire front end will benefit from having a skilled technician paying close attention to all the moving parts and their wear patterns. The best way to remember to schedule a wheel alignment is to always have the front end checked after you have new tires installed, a flat tire repaired, or the tires rotated. Parts like tie-rods can be adjusted if they still are in working order, but if you neglect the repair too long these parts must be replaced in order to correct the problem. When you have a wheel alignment performed on your vehicle, the certified auto mechanics get to work checking to see if this is simply an issue of the car alignment is off or if some of the front end parts have significant damage. Whenever you have the car in for repairs, a front alignment should be one of the tasks you have the certified mechanic perform. This wearing can lead to tires blowing on the road and causing even further damage to your vehicle. As bad as that may be, the tires on the vehicle are also taking a beating and getting worn on the edges too. When you do not schedule a front alignment at your local auto repair shop, you run the risk of steering parts wearing unnecessarily. Why is Wheel Alignment Important for your Vehicle? The problem is that by neglected a front alignment, you are causing other moving parts to wear more rapidly. Even when the drivers feel the steering wheel pull the vehicle to the side of the road, this issue is often put off until other serious issues arise. Of all the car maintenance repairs that get neglected the most by drivers is the front-end alignment. Wheel Alignment Service | Killeen, TX Ignore Front End Alignments at Your Own Risk!
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