Things like hitting potholes, bumping curbs, or even minor accidents are all common causes of one or more of your wheels coming out of alignment.
Hitting a pothole, going over big bumps, rubbing up against a curb or rolling over debris can also push wheels out of alignment. Additionally, aggressive driving, carrying heavy loads, bent or worn suspension/steering parts, or a slight fender-bender can trigger misalignment.
Bumps in the road, speed bumps, and even the concrete markers they install at the end of parking spaces can easily knock your wheels out of alignment. The alignment cannot withstand excessive shock, and flying over a speed bump, even at 10 mph, is an excessive shock.
CAMBER, TOE, & CASTER
Too much inward or outward tilt, also known as negative and positive camber, respectively, indicates improper alignment and will need to be adjusted. Worn bearings, ball joints, and other wheel-suspension parts may contribute to camber misalignment.
Driving a car with bad alignment is never recommended and can cause more than just an annoying driving experience. Doing so could lead to reduced fuel economy, expensive tire replacement costs, and steering concerns that could put you, your passengers, and other motorists at risk.
Generally speaking, you'll want to get your vehicle's wheels at least checked for proper alignment once a year or every other oil change. If you're looking for a numerical value, most tire professionals will cite the 6,000-mile figure as a rule of thumb.
First and perhaps most commonly, sudden jarring or heavy impact can cause components to bend or shift out of place. Things like hitting potholes, bumping curbs, or even minor accidents are all common causes of one or more of your wheels coming out of alignment.
Bad alignments often create vibrations since the tires are pulling against each other instead of rolling in exactly the same direction. While you have your car out, turn off the stereo and listen closely for any noises. You may also feel your steering wheel vibrate slightly.
Poor air pressure can also cause the vehicle to pull to one side or another. If the pressure varies from one tire to another, it changes the height causing the alignment to change. Underinflated tires also experience more resistance when rolling, making a pull more obvious.
If you have a bad habit of hitting curbs, you could easily knock your wheels out of alignment. It doesn't take much. Anytime you smack your wheels against anything, whether a curb, a parking space divider or a construction divider, you run the risk of unintentionally pushing that wheel off its aligned position.
While all tires are subject to alignment troubles, this most often impacts the front right tire and front left tire. Alignment troubles are the most common problem for drivers who find just one of their tires worn out. Thankfully, the solution here is simple: wheel alignment service.
Yet, over time with wear, hitting curbs, and driving on a variety of terrains can throw off the suspension and change the feeling of the ride. Sometimes a simple alignment is all you need but not always. A bad wheel bearing can have similar effects that poor alignment produces.
Struts have multiple roles. They are a structural part of the car's suspension system, and they also affect your car's alignment. When a strut is replaced, you'll also need a wheel alignment at the same time.
A major problem resulting from hitting the curb is throwing your car's suspension out of alignment. Check the alignment after hitting a curb. Does your car drift or pull to the right or to the left? This can be a sign that the alignment was affected.
Common misalignments are the result of two rotating shafts not parallel to one another, either by a slightly offset or angled gap at the coupling. However, sometimes in most real-life situations it is both, which is called a compound misalignment.
We recommend an alignment after the installation of new tires. This helps you get the most life from your new tires. Wheel alignment checks are always advised after a significant impact or uneven tire wear is detected.
Strength Building Exercise. Good muscle strength is an important part of maintaining healthy alignment. Things like carrying grocery bags or taking out the trash can cause you to lean over in a position that strains your neck and back.
Consistent Shaking: Alignment issues will cause constant vehicle vibration, no matter whether you are braking, accelerating, or maintaining a consistent speed. Steering Wheel Pulling: You may also notice that your vehicle is “pulling” towards one side of the road or another rather than seamlessly steering straight.
Typically, it is recommended to get your wheels aligned every 2 to 3 years. However, to ensure the optimal safety of your car, yourself and others around you, it is best to opt for a wheel alignment every time you go to change your oil of the vehicle.
One of the easiest signs to identify is when your car pulls to a particular side when driving. It's normal for slight pulling to the left or right, however if you find you have to constantly steer to keep straight - you've likely got an alignment problem.
The general rule of thumb for scheduling a wheel alignment is every 6,000 miles. If you wait too long, your tires can start to wear unevenly. Tire alignment can be affected if the tires shift even a tenth of a degree or hundredth of an inch. As time goes on, this misalignment can cause premature and uneven wear.