Berkeley Auto Repair

Uneven tire wear and a car that pulls to one side are good reasons to check wheel alignment. The alignment machine tells only part of the story, though. Worn suspension parts let the wheels move out of position while you're braking, turning, or crossing uneven pavement. Imagine adjusting a wheel that's held by a badly worn control arm bushing. The angle looks right while the car sits still, then changes as soon as the suspension takes a load. Checking the steering and suspension first helps you avoid paying for an alignment while the same tire wear continues. Why Suspension Condition Affects Wheel Alignment A wheel alignment adjusts how the wheels sit relative to the vehicle and the road. Toe describes whether the tires point inward or outward when viewed from above. Camber describes their inward or outward tilt. Caster relates to the steering axis and affects steering feel and the wheel's tendency to return toward center. Those angles are influenced by ... read more