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Wheel Alignment and Balancing
Wheel alignment is the adjustment of the wheels’ angles so that they would be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the road. Wheel balancing, on the other hand, is the checking of a heavy spot on the wheels.
1,166 Questions
The chrome is peeling off one of my wheels can this be fixed?
that is fixable but it is probably cheaper to buy a new wheel
Why would the steering wheel wobble?
Here are more opinions and answers from other contributors:
- Your front brake rotors are probably warped. You can either replace the rotors, or, if the rotors are only slightly warped, and there is enough material left on them, the mechanic may be able to be cut them down with a machine. Cutting them down should even the rotors out. The same thing was going on with my steering wheel as yours when I applied my brakes at high speeds, and even lower speeds. I didn't tell the dealer that I was experiencing this problem. They simply inspected my brakes one day while my car was in for an oil change and told me I needed new brake pads and to have my brake rotors cut. Since I had about 80,000 miles on that set of brake pads (yes ... 80,000 miles) I took their word for it that I needed a brake job. Luckily I didn't destroy my rotors with my nearly worn out brake pads. If you don't need new rotors, installing front brake pads and cutting the rotors should cost you a about $130 at the dealer, and maybe a little less at your local mechanic. I've noticed absolutely zero shaking of the steering wheel when I apply the brakes since the brake job. I have a Toyota Camry with 120,000 miles on it and the car now brakes beautifully. So before you spend money on an alignment, and trying to figure out if your wheel rims are bent, check those brakes.
- Try taking the car to the problem speed and while pulling the e-brake release lever, apply the ebrakes. No vibration - problem is in the fronts (typical). Buy new rotors (pads are a good idea at the same time as is adjusting the rear brakes). Rarely can you machine rotors and have a permanent solution. The rotors are not dissapating the heat well, by cutting them they will warp easier. Check your tire balance. (Have you ever put fix a flat in?) Toyotas are sometimes an exception to brakes that go for more than 35,000 miles.
- You need to balance your tires.
- I have found that my problem stems from rear axle placement. A factory installation defect that is only covered under the first 12,000 miles and only if the dealer deems it to be out of spec. For all you Ford Ranger owners alot of the 2000 models have feathered tire issues which would make you think it is simply tire balance (right front wears and pulls right, some F150's have this problem as well). Located an alignment shop to verify proper axle placement.
- Have your tie rods checked to be sure they don't need replacing.
- Have you had your rear brakes adjusted ever since changed: warped rotors in my 95 cavalier made the whole car wobble at high speed stops and the pedal pressure changes during slow light stopping also
- The wobbling or pulsating steering happens when I apply the brakes when trying to slow down after accelerating to a reasonably height speed like 50 to 60 miles an hour. My mechanic found that my rotors were warped and some of the steering mechanisims (parts ) were badly worn which was very unusual because the vehicle has only 11,000 miles on it. Hopefully this will be all taken care of because it's under warranty.
- Brakes warped, tie rod ends bad, tires screwed, upper and or lower ball joints shot, in front wheel drives, check cv shaft/joints... and theres one I experienced on an old ford pick up... never would have guessed, under braking conditions the steering wheel was shaking bad.... turned out to be in the rear end... the rear wheel bearings were shot.... it only was bad while braking.
- If it is a vibration in your steering wheel at higher speeds you might need new ball joints. This is a serious problem if that is what's wrong. So have your car looked at and soon.
- There is also the possibility that your shocks and struts are in need of replacing. Sometimes just replacing the ball joints doesn't fix the problem. If that is affected then there is most likely something else affected. In this case I had multiple problems with my 1993 Grand Am and it was bent rims, worn shocks and struts along with worn ball joints. Once I had them all replaced the shaking steering wheel at any speed is gone. Plus your tires could be separating so check that as well that could be a cause as well.
How do you Change front wheel bearings on a 2002 Chevy silverado 1500 2 wheel drive pickup?
Does rim or tire size change your speed?
"Your speedometer can misread if you have larger tires. I run 35s on my '02 F-150, and when my speedometer says I'm going 80, I'm really going about 73 or 74 miles per hour. My truck also has 20" rims if that matters to you."
Actually, putting larger than original tires will cause the speedometer to be incorrect in the opposite direction. Say, your truck came with 285/70/20 and you put larger 315/70/20 tires on it, your speedometer might be reading 75, yet you would be going approximately 82. Car computers read either axle or wheel revolutions, thus producing the mph you see. Therefore, when your car thinks your tires have completed one full revolution and traveled X distance, your tires have actually only completed 80% of a revolution, yet your car has traveled the same X distance, so when your tires complete the revolution they have actually traveled X + Y distance, where Y is the difference in size between the new and old tires.
Think of it this way, if you have longer legs than someone, and you both take one full stride, you will have traveled farther then that person because of your longer legs.
Another example: if you mark one place on both tires, and proceed to roll them on the ground a full revolution until you see that mark, you will find that the larger tire has traveled farther than the smaller tire.
Larger tires can also affect your odometer, with the same concept, that larger tire will travel more distance than the computer is calculating.
Interestingly, no consumer cars are manufactured with speedometers and odometers calibrated to be perfectly accurate. Cops allow +/- 3 mph at 75mph because your speedometer may be reading different than the speed your going. Only police cars are perfectly calibrated to reflect speed. Manufactures admit purposefully calibrating car consumer speedometers to show faster than they are going so they can not be sued for someone getting a ticket.
If you have any questions, drive your car onto a highway with mile markers, drive 60 mph, since it takes 60 seconds to travel a mile, you should see a .1 mile marker every 10 seconds, if you don't, read your local laws regulating the allowance for variation and make sure it is in the allowed specifications, if not, visit a trusted mechanic and have them adjust it, because trying to explain to a cop that it's not your fault probably won't fly. And remember, bigger is always better when it comes to tires on trucks!
What is an alignment machine used for?
Used alignment machines are "old technology" Used alignment machines may need to be "updated" and "serviced" by the local wheel alignment service representative before they can operated. The cost for this service may be thousands of dollars. Used alignment machines have no warranty. (Normally) Used alignment machines (after all the costs are included) may cost more than a brand new (state of the art) Edge alignment machine from Greg Smith Equipment.
How much does a Scion tire pressure stem valve cost?
The price for a Scion tire pressure stem valve varies slightly by retailer. As of 2014 this part sells for between 15.00 and 19.99.
What is the average cost of a wheel alignment?
It depends on if you whether you need 2 wheel or 4 wheel alignment. Two wheel can range from $30-$65. 4 wheel can range from $50-$95 depending on the area you live.
How much does a Wheel alignment cost for 99 Chevy Tahoe?
It doesent mader what vehicle you dive all shop are different prices just call around see how much it will cost.
Can you only change the road tire to a dirt tire without changing the wheel?
if their the same tire size then yes
How much does a tire cost to make?
It depends on the quality of materials used, the size of the tire, and location of manufacture.
A 6" dolly tire or 18" bike tire, made in China by children, made of basic materials costs $3 to make. An average American 15" diameter car tire costs $40-80, and a 12' industrial mining truck tire costs $3000-10,000 to make.
If your new coil springs making your car sit high should you cut a coil?
New OEM springs & about 1/2 to 3/4" higher, just wait. Springs settle about a half inch over the first few months. Also, it's possible that your car was sagging because the old ones were worn out.
Lowering springs, vs. old lowering springs or OEM? Can't help if you're compairing to old lowering springs, but if you're compairing to OEM, you probably have the wrong part.
i wouldn't cut the springs to lower it if it is sittin to high buy coilovers for it so you can adjust your ride height and it will also stiffen up the ride for tight cornering( have had coils cut on cars before and it is a big headache if not done perfectly)
What causes front tire wear on the inside edges on a 2005 Ford Ranger?
Improper tire pressure or a bad toe out. Take it to an alignment shop.
Can you switch from 15 inch rim and tire to a 14 inch rim and tire?
Yes, as long as the 14" tire/wheel combination is the same diameter as the 15" you are removing.
Could be needing a wheel balance , but more than likely you have a dry U joint in the drive shaft, if U joints have been greased recently, u need new U joints
Sorry but a dry U joint causing a steering wheel to vibrate, come on!
Wheels being out of balance, Yes~ Possible bad wheel bearing is another reason as is a bad tire road and so on... Have it checked out by a shop soon! Good luck.
Should 2 new tires be placed on front of car or rear?
Hi Well, if I had two new tires and two half-worn tires I would put the new ones on the front coz they are the ones doing the steering, and if you have a front-wheel-drive (which is almost everything these days) it's where the drive hits the road. In the old days there used to be two types of tire where this sort of question was much more relevant. There used to be Crossply tires, and there were the "new" Radials. Crossplys are long gone now unless you are looking to restore a 1947 Ford to original equipment, but for a time while both were available if you mixed crossplys and radials on the same axle you would end up in a ditch pretty quick.
Should you rotate tires on your MINI Cooper?
According to the 2009 MINI Cooper Clubman manual:
"[...] recommends that you do not swap the front wheels with the rear wheels as this may impair the handling of your MINI."
When tires are made, the tread pattern has grooves in them. There are parts of the grooves that are not as deep as others. When the tire has worn down to that level, the tread has worn away to the point where they are no longer safe to drive on. The bars are clearly visible going across the tire.
How do you make front wheel alignment?
It's an art as much as a science, and to do it right you need the right equipment.
First, you need to be able to determine the rotational plane of the wheels, then you need to make certain that the toe-in, caster and camber are all adjusted properly.
There aren't many jobs that I won't do on my own vehicle, but alignment is one of them. If you want it done right, take it to a professional.
Will 31 inch tires on 96 sonoma?
I believe the Sonoma is the same as my Suzuki Sidekick.
I had to body lift mine 3 inches to make it work and I put 31 inch Mud Terrains on.
I don't know about making the "CARD" front wheels turn, but the steering gearbox, or the rack and pinion actually cause the "car" front wheels to turn, after the steering wheel is turned. Repairing either usually involves replacing with either a rebuilt, or new gearbox or rack and pinion.
Should you balance tire on a motorcycle?
YES but of course (unless you only plan on riding below 5MPH)
How do alloy wheels differ from other type of wheels?
Standard car and truck wheels are made of steel, "alloy" wheels are made of a lightweight aluminum alloy.
How often should I check my wheel alignment?
There is no need to have a cars wheels aligned on a regular bases. It is a good idea though to have the alignment checked when installing new tires to prevent excess wear on the tires.
Why does your steering wheel wobble while driving even at a low speed?
The steering wheel wobbles, because of the unconditional pressures from the ground that is adjusted at speeds when it reflects gravity.
