Adjusting the SAVOR

Wheel Alignment: What Is It and Why Is It Important?

A camber adjustment is a mechanical adjustment of the suspension system (the part that connects the wheels to the car) to ensure that the wheels are positioned correctly. This is part of a broader procedure of wheel alignment, which also involves adjusting other angles.

Wheel alignment is very important because misaligned wheels cause rapid and uneven tyre wear, increase fuel consumption, impair driving comfort, and adversely affect the car’s handling.

What Symptoms Indicate When a Torsion Adjustment Is Needed?

One sign that your car may need a torsional adjustment is if it’s constantly pulling to one side. The steering wheel can also give you clues; for example, if the steering wheel is not in the middle position when you drive straight or vibrates when you drive straight on a flat road.

Tyre tread depths can be visually inspected to detect problems with traction. While the vehicle is stationary, you can measure the tread depths at different points on the tyre. If the inner or outer edge of the tyre shows excessive wear, this may indicate that the alignment needs adjusting.

How Is Wheel Alignment Done?

Adjusting the torsion is certainly not a project you can do without prior experience. The process involves adjusting the camber and toe correctly to ensure the vehicle meets the manufacturer’s specifications, which may not always result in a perfectly straight 0-degree wheel alignment.

Most modern cars have three main things that are regulated in the twisting process: the camber, toe, and caster.

Tilt and Tilt Adjustment

The camber adjustment determines whether the wheel tilts inward or outward, depending on the car’s specification. It’s important to adjust the camber correctly to ensure the car responds safely to the steering wheel. 

A positive or negative camber angle can have an adverse effect on tyre wear and the car’s handling.

Weight and Torsion Adjustment

The angle of twist is what most people first associate with twist adjustment. It affects the angle at which the wheels are positioned, relative to the direction the car is travelling and relative to each other.

Your wheels should not be excessively “skewed” or “cambered”; their angles should match the manufacturer’s specifications. Issues with camber can cause uneven tyre tread wear, splitting them or even ripping chunks out.

Casters

The angle of the wheels indicates how far forward or back (toward or away from the driver) the steering axis is. The steering axle is the line between the upper and lower joints of the wheel.

Most vehicles have a positive caster, which means the steering axis tilts towards the driver, resulting in increased steering effort but enhancing straight-ahead stability.

How Much Does It Cost to Adjust the Alignment?

The cost of a wheel alignment can vary depending on several factors: for example, whether your vehicle can be aligned on both axles and the size of the vehicle (e.g., sedan, SUV, or van). The price of a wheel alignment is usually between €30-45.

Is an Alignment Adjustment Necessary?

Poor traction can cause accelerated or uneven tyre wear and seriously affect the tyre’s grip on the road, especially in winter. In severe cases, this can lead to tyre damage, so we recommend checking the alignment regularly.

Accelerated tyre wear means you’ll have to change your tyres more often, costing you more in the long run, so adjusting your alignment will save you money.

An incorrectly adjusted alignment can cause the vehicle to pull to one side and create additional braking forces, creating extra rolling resistance and thus increasing the vehicle’s fuel consumption.

Also, improperly adjusted traction can make the vehicle jerk or cause unpleasant vibrations. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I adjust torsion myself?

There is no exact formula for how often to adjust the torsion; it depends on driving conditions and habits. Many mechanics recommend checking the alignment every time the car has been serviced or at every tyre change.

If your car has low-profile tyres that absorb less shock when driving on bumpy roads, we recommend checking your car’s alignment more frequently.

The main car repairs and maintenance tasks for which a camber adjustment is recommended include after tyre changes, any repairs or replacements of rolling components or suspension parts, and following an accident like a major impact with a pothole or collision with another obstacle. 

One indicator that the alignment should be checked is if the tyre or rim is flat. It’s likely that some sort of impact has “knocked out” the geometry of the car’s suspension.

How long does it take to adjust the torsion?

The procedure usually takes an hour or less. Exceptional cases where the adjustment takes a little longer include situations where the mechanic finds broken or worn parts in the suspension system. Naturally, replacing these parts extends the process.

How long is a restraint good for?

Again, there is no magic number for how long a restraint lasts. It depends on how and where you drive your car every day. Vehicles driven at higher speeds, more aggressively, or on rough roads need more frequent adjustments.

What happens if the wheel alignment is not adjusted?

If the wheel alignment is not adjusted, tires can wear out much faster and more unevenly, so it’s good practice to check the alignment regularly. Uneven tire wear affects safety and makes journeys less comfortable.

Incorrect alignment also means that tires need to be replaced sooner than expected. Instead of frequently replacing tires, which could cost over €800-1000 per set, it’s worth spending around €30 on a tire alignment.

How quickly do tires with bad alignment wear?

Tire wear caused by alignment problems depends on the severity of the problem. Over time, even a small problem can shorten the life of a tire by as much as ten or twenty thousand kilometres, while a significant misalignment can cause severe wear or tear, damaging the tire within just a few hundred kilometres if not addressed promptly.

Can incorrect wheel geometry cause vibrations?

If the wheels are misaligned, this can negatively affect the car’s performance and feel, causing issues such as a vibrating steering wheel or the whole car shaking. 

Vibrations in a car contribute to the faster wear of any component, especially suspension components. MMK recommends adjusting your wheel alignment at least once a year, which will help save money and maintain comfort and safety while driving.