Difference between wheel alignment and balancing

Getting your alignment done on a regular basis is, for most people, an aspirational habit more than an actual one. This is probably because the benefits are not necessarily tangible. Of course your car will drive straighter with less vibration, but, you tell yourself, the Shs60,000 you just spent could probably be used for something else such as having a meal.

No matter how you relate to your car, there are things you may hear every so often but never really understand. These include wheel alignment and wheel balancing. These are two totally different things, but many people often get them confused.  

Alignment 

In a nutshell, wheel alignment consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are perpendicular, (recall your O-Level geometry), to the ground and parallel to each other. The purpose of these adjustments is maximum tyre life and a car that moves straight when driving along a straight and level road.  

Balancing

Wheel balancing, on the other hand, allows the tyres and wheels to spin without causing any vibrations. This is accomplished by checking for any heavy spots on the wheel-tyre combination and compensating for it by placing a measured lead weight on the opposite site of the wheel from where the heavy spot is.

Out-of-balance tyres will cause a car to vibrate at certain speeds, usually between 70 and 100 kph. A tyre is out of balance when one section of the tyre is heavier than the others. One ounce of imbalance on a front tyre is enough to cause a noticeable vibration in the steering wheel at about 60 kph. 

To balance a wheel, the mechanic will mount it on a balancing machine that spins the wheel to locate the heavier part. He will then compensate for the heavy part by attaching a lead weight on the opposite side. Many people are pleasantly surprised at how smooth their car drives after balancing all four wheels. Most high-quality tyres will hold their balance fairly well and go out of balance very gradually. 

Signs 

If you notice a vibration that was not there the day before, it is possible that one of the lead balancing weights fell off. If you feel the vibration mostly in the steering wheel, the problem is most likely in the front wheel. If the vibration is mostly in the seat, the problem is probably in the rear wheels.

Uneven alignment

The symptoms of a car that is out of alignment are, uneven or rapid tyre wear, pulling or drifting away from a straight line. To find out if you need an alignment, first check each tyre and look for uneven wear patterns.

The problem with this method, however, is that if you can see a wear pattern, it may be too late to save that tyre. This is why it is a good idea to have your alignment checked periodically. 

Another indication of an out-of-alignment condition is a car that continuously drifts or pulls to one side of the road when you let go of the wheel. A car that is hard to keep in a straight line without constant steering corrections is also a candidate. Wheel alignment cannot be done on a car with loose or worn front-end parts. 

The mechanic will first check for worn parts and inform you of any problems before beginning the alignment. After the wheels have been aligned, you should drive the car on a straight and level road and check that the car goes straight and that the steering wheel is in the proper position. If you notice a problem, take the car back and have the mechanic drive it and fine-tune the alignment settings.  

How often  should you get your alignment and balancing done? 

Although the recommendation is whenever you change tyres or annually, the right answer for you will depend on how you drive, and how bad the roads are that you drive on. It is imperative you check your alignment and balancing every so often because going over bumps and hitting potholes will not make things any better.