Common Causes of Wheel Misalignment
When driving, it’s important that a person always be in control. This means that they’ll need to be able to steer to avoid accidents. If there are any issues with their steering, they may need to get auto repair in Longmont.
When it comes to steering, they are a variety of issues that could cause a person to have problems. One of these includes having wheels that are out of alignment in Longmont. If this is the case, it will need to be fixed. Below are some of the common causes of wheel misalignment.
Common Causes
Hitting curbs
Hitting curbs happens. Whether a person is parallel parking or pulling into their home or a business, they could accidentally hit a curb. In addition to curbs on the side of the road, a person might also accidentally run into a concrete parking barrier.
Whether a person hits the curb or parking barrier softly or with force, it can cause issues with the wheels. It doesn’t take much to knock them out of line, and the harder the vehicle hits, the worse the issue will be. If a person has hit a curb or parking barrier recently, they may want to get some car service in Longmont to ensure that everything is still alright with their wheels.
Hitting speed bumps
Speed bumps can be found in a variety of different places. Their purpose is to slow people down so that they don’t speed through certain areas. Sometimes, they can be found in housing developments or around schools. In some places, they are found in parking lots to keep people from going too fast.
There is no standard size for speed bumps, and sometimes they are much larger than they look. A person might think they’ve slowed down enough to get over the hump, only to find themselves bounced around the interior of their vehicle. This can be incredibly uncomfortable for the occupants, and it can be incredibly damaging to the wheels.
Even if a person slows way down to hit these bumps, if this is an element they encounter every day, it can lead to major issues with the vehicle. Having the wheels checked every so often to ensure they are still in line is advisable.
Hitting potholes
During certain times of the year, potholes are unavoidable. This is especially true after winter, when water has gotten into the street and frozen, lifting up parts of the asphalt or concrete and creating holes. Any road can be impacted, and potholes can be much deeper than they look.
Most people try to avoid running into potholes, but it’s not always possible. Sometimes, they are hidden under puddles or the last remnants of a spring storm. It can be a jolt to hit one of these, and it can have a huge impact on occupants and on the wheels.
It’s best to avoid these at all costs, but if they can’t be avoided, then hitting them slowly is advisable. Like speed bumps, there is no standard size of potholes, and they can cause major damage.
Accidents
Another way wheels get out of line is by being in an accident. This can cause a variety of issues, including damage to the body and internal damage. Even if it seems like the accident was minor and only the body was damaged, it’s still a good idea to get the vehicle checked out by a professional.
The amount of energy that is transferred from one vehicle to another during an accident can be intense. Even if it seems to have happened at slow speeds, the automobile could still have been hit with enough force to cause the wheels to be knocked out of line. This can make driving dangerous. Getting the automobile looked at for other issues is also beneficial.
Not maintaining the vehicle
There are certain things a person needs to do to ensure that their vehicle is running optimally. These include getting an oil change in Longmont, having the fluids checked, and having the wheels balanced and rotated. All of these will ensure the vehicle lasts for a long time and doesn’t cause issues while a person is driving down the road.
Nothing was built to last forever, and parts will wear out and/or break. When this happens, it can be incredibly frustrating and costly. However, if a person gets their vehicle in for maintenance work, these issues may be caught before they become major problems.
How to Tell If the Wheels Are Out of Line
If any of the aforementioned things have happened to a person’s vehicle, that doesn’t mean their wheels are out of line, but getting it checked out to be sure can be helpful. There are some signs a person will notice that will let them know if their wheels are having issues. Some of these are listed below.
The vehicle drifts
If a person notices that their auto drifts to one side while they are driving, this could be a sign that their wheels are out of line. This is not a good thing for a vehicle to do, so getting it fixed will make driving safer.
The steering wheel doesn’t return
After making a turn, the steering wheel should naturally return to a neutral position. If it doesn’t, that could be a sign of problems. If the driver has to force the steering wheel back into a neutral position, this could make driving challenging and dangerous.
The steering wheel vibrates or shakes
In addition to the steering wheel not returning to a neutral position, it may also vibrate or shake while driving down the road. This can make it difficult to keep control of the vehicle, as well as give the driver sore muscles. Getting this corrected as soon as possible will make the car and driver happy.
Uneven wear on the tires
Even if a person doesn’t experience any other signs, if they notice that their tires aren’t wearing evenly, this could be an indication that the wheels are out of line. Getting them changed or rotated and balanced could be all that’s needed to ensure the vehicle runs properly.
