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4
Wheel Alignment
Based in Fazakerley, Liverpool
All
cars should have their wheels aligned professionally every year
or at their scheduled service interval.The good news is Longmoor
Service MOT Centre offers a state-of-the-art wheel alignment service.
Using digital cameras our new Image Aligner captures your vehicle's
alignment in 3 dimensional space without reference to the lift or
the horizontal plane. By placing reflective targets on the vehicle's
wheels, full alignment readings are achieved. If adjustments need
to be made we will complete the work there and then.
Do you feel your car pulling to the left or right? Is there a vibration
in your steering wheel? These are indications that you may be in
need of a proper wheel alignment.
Performing a wheel alignment will help reduce uneven tire wear,
increase the life of your tyres, increase petrol/diesel mileage
and provide you with an overall safer drive.
Longmoor Service MOT Centre offers the latest in wheel alignment
technology. Our wheel alignment system allows us to provide you
with quick service with the most precise level of calibration.
Notice any signs of improper wheel alignment - bring your car into
Longmoor Service MOT Centre and we'll have a look.
Our service is FREE and a computer printout is provided - You only
pay us if you would like us to re-align your wheels.
You might not even need an appointment.
Our wheel alignment servicing costs are very competitive.
Technical
Information
Wheel Alignment or tracking, is important for good road holding
and to maximise the life of the tyres. Hitting a kerb or driving
at speed through a pot hole can result in misalignment. To have
your wheels aligned by us simply pop in and see us.
For most cars aligning the front wheels will resolve many of the
uneven tyre wear problems. However there will be some cases where
all 4 wheels will need to be aligned. On checking your vehicle our
technicians can advise on requirements and if adjustments can be
made will advise of the additional cost.
The direction and angle at which tyres are set are both important.
Wheel alignment involves checking the direction and angle against
vehicle manufacturers' specifications and are both equally important.
You may hear these described as toe in, toe out, positive camber
or negative camber.
The "Toe" refers to whether the front of the tyres across
an axle are closer or further apart than the rear of the tyres.
Different types of vehicles need different toe settings to allow
for the way that wheels pull either towards each other or apart.
The "Camber" is the inward or outward tilt of a tyre and
is specified by the vehicle manufacturer. It can be affected by
potholes in the road and needs to be checked regularly to see if
any adjustment is required.
Incorrect wheel alignment can result in rapid wearing on the edges
of the tyre and could affect the handling on the vehicle and certainly
mean a replacement earlier than would otherwise be required. An
example reading would be 2-4-4mm or as in the image (below right)
2-1-0mm.
Tyre Wear
There is no set pattern to wear and tear, it can be down to type
of driving, location etc.
On a front wheel drive car the front tyres will usually wear more
quickly due to the increased work load on the front axle. High performance
cars will also wear tyres much quicker than a less powerful car
due to the additional power going through the drive wheels.
Premature wear can be caused by incorrect tyre pressures, incorrect
wheel alignment or overloading of the vehicle.
Over inflation
This will cause the tyres to wear more in the centre of the tread
as the central section bulges out. An example tread depth reading
would be 4 - 2 - 4 mm.
Under inflation
This will cause the tyres to wear more on both tyre edges as the
central part bulges in. An example tread depth reading would be
2- -4 - 2 mm.
Our
Recommendation
We recommend that you visually check your tyres weekly for signs
of wear or irregular wear. If in doubt call into see us for a free
check.
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