Topic: Auto Tech: Wheel alignments

[Autos_Editor]

"Wheel alignment is one of those forgotten vehicle maintenance items," says Technical Editor, Jim Kerr.  "Proper wheel alignment improves tire life, increases fuel economy and improves handling," he says. "I often recommend having it done at least once a year."
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[JohnM]

Two questions for you Jim.

First, tire noise as an alignment problem indicator.  If one of the front tires makes a lot of noise while pointing straight ahead which changes with the steering angle, (ie more noise turning left and zero noise when turning right), does this strongly indicate an alignment problem?

Second, impacts calling for an alignment.  A friend of mine was driving along and her lane came to an end.  She said she hit the angled curb at about 40km an hour and was thrown into the other lane.

I told her to take her Fit to a Honda dealer immediately and have an alignment done.  She went to the dealership where a service rep took the car out and said there was no problem.

I would have had the alignment done anyway after that kind of impact.

What do you think?

Cheers,
John Meyer

[Damack]

Conseils tres interessants. A quand la suite?

[blur911]

Is Jim trying to pay off a new alignment rack? 
He seems to be pushing the alignment subject a fair bit.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,67231.0.html

[ktm525]

Could kill two birds with one stone. How about a wheel alignment on a VW Routan article? We are due for one anyway.

[Erik]

He is likely right in theory. However, sadly, the day of the expert "front end guy" are over, and a lot of shops seem to just put a kid on the computerized alignment machine and he adjusts the car back to "spec".

I have one front end shop in the city of Toronto I trust.

[kirm]

@JohnM

I can't help you with the first one but on the second one, they should be able to put the car on the alignment rack and check its specs (Toe-in caster and camber). If it's within specs then she doesn't need an alignment.