Wheel alignment, sometimes called straightening, tracking or taming is one of the basic vehicle maintenance procedures that involves adjusting the angles of the wheels on the vehicle. The purpose of such adjustments is to reduce wheel wear and to insure consistent vehicle movement. This can be done through a few different methods, each depending on the circumstances in which they are performed. Some of the more common procedures include replacing tires, applying new grease to the vehicle's suspension, changing the wheel bearings, checking the alignment of the hub and sprocket and tightening the wheel bolts. You can learn more about wheel alignment by visiting this page.
Tire Changing: Sometimes a tire will need to be replaced and this should be performed with care. If a tire is not used for many years, it will likely need a replacement to be able to get a good grip on the road. It may also be necessary to replace the entire tire if a new set of tires was installed incorrectly. It is important to use the correct pressure when replacing a tire to avoid premature wear on the tire.
Changing the Wheel Bearings: If the alignment of the wheel is off, a wheel bearing may be needed to keep the wheel in place and the vehicle running smoothly. If the bearing is not the correct size, it can cause problems with the vehicle. Changing bearings is an easy task and often required only by some circumstances. Changing bearings are typically simple and requires only tools and a socket wrench, although some replacement parts and installation instructions may vary depending on the type of bearing to be changed.
Hub Bearing Adjusting: If there are too many discrepancies in the hub and sprocket's alignment, this may cause steering problems. Some of the common reasons why this may occur include uneven tire wear or excessive tire noise. If the hub bearing is loose, the steering will be difficult and the vehicle will suffer from uneven tire contact. Tightening the hub bearing may be an easy task, and there are a variety of tools that can be used to do this job. It is recommended that all the hub bearings are inspected before proceeding with the next step of the alignment.
Wheel Bearings: It may be necessary to replace any of the hub bearing that is worn out, especially if they have a low wear factor. If there is no hub bearing to replace, or the bearing is defective, it may be necessary to replace the whole hub bearing assembly to make sure that the wheels are properly aligned. If the bearing has been installed incorrectly, it can also cause problems with the vehicle. If the hub bearing has too many grooves and no centerline, the vehicle will have an unbalanced feel and the steering will be hard to steer. To understand more on wheel alignment, see more here.
Wheel Bolts: The proper installation of the wheel bolts is essential for proper alignment of the wheels and ensuring that the wheels roll without any difficulty. There are several different types of bolt types and it is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Improperly installed bolts can result in uneven contact with the road surface and will cause wear on the brakes and suspension, so the best way to ensure the safety of the vehicle is to install the bolts in the proper way. Check out more info on tire balance here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire_balance.