Signs Your Car Needs a Wheel Alignment

Wheel alignment is about the angles of your wheels relative to each other and to the road. When those angles are off, your car doesn't drive straight and your tyres wear out fast.

Signs you need an alignment

• The car pulls to the left or right on a straight road

• The steering wheel is off-centre when driving straight

• Uneven tyre wear, especially on the inner or outer edges

• Tyres squealing when turning gently

• Steering that feels loose or wanders

Note that roads in Jamaica are often built with a slope (camber) toward the edge, which can make cars drift slightly. A proper check rules this in or out.

What knocks alignment out

• Hitting potholes, kerbs or speed bumps hard

• Worn suspension and steering parts

• Accidents, even minor ones

• Replacing steering or suspension parts like tie rod ends

The three main angles

• Toe: whether the fronts of the tyres point inward or outward. The biggest cause of rapid tyre wear.

• Camber: whether the tops of the tyres lean in or out.

• Caster: the angle of the steering axis, which affects stability and how the steering returns to centre.

Alignment vs balancing

Balancing fixes vibration caused by uneven weight in the wheel and tyre. Alignment fixes pulling and uneven wear caused by incorrect wheel angles. They're different jobs, though both are often done when fitting new tyres.

Check suspension first

An alignment won't hold if suspension or steering parts are worn. Before aligning, worn parts like tie rod ends, ball joints and bushings should be inspected and replaced if needed.

When to get it done

When you notice any of the signs above, after fitting new tyres, after replacing steering parts, or after a hard pothole hit.

Need help with this? RCJ Mobile Mechanics comes to you in Portmore, Spanish Town, Kingston, St. Andrew and across St. Catherine. Call or WhatsApp (658) 207-6565 or book a mechanic online.