Wheel Alignment & Steering Service in Glendale, CA
Professional wheel alignments, steering inspections, and honest
recommendations from the team at Perfect Auto in Glendale.
If your vehicle pulls to one side, your steering wheel sits crooked while
driving straight, or your tires are wearing unevenly, your alignment or
steering system may need attention.
At Perfect Auto, we do more than simply put your vehicle on the alignment
rack and adjust the numbers. We inspect the steering and suspension
components that can affect alignment so we can identify the actual cause
of the problem before recommending repairs.
Alignment & Steering Services
- Four-wheel alignments
- Front-end alignments
- Steering wheel centering
- Uneven tire wear diagnosis
- Vehicle pulling diagnosis
- Tie rod inspection
- Ball joint inspection
- Control arm inspection
- Steering linkage inspection
- Suspension inspection
- Wheel bearing inspection
- Post-repair alignment
How Do You Know You Need a Wheel Alignment?
Alignment problems are not always obvious. Sometimes the first sign is
something as simple as having to hold the steering wheel slightly to one
side while driving straight.
Other common signs include the vehicle pulling left or right, uneven or
rapid tire wear, a crooked steering wheel, reduced steering stability or
a vehicle that simply does not feel as planted on the road as it used to.
Hitting potholes, curbs, road debris or even repeatedly driving on rough
roads can affect alignment over time.
Why Alignment Matters
Proper wheel alignment helps your tires contact the road correctly and
allows the vehicle to track straight.
When alignment angles are outside specification, the tires may scrub
against the road instead of rolling evenly. This can shorten tire life
and negatively affect handling.
A good alignment can help improve steering feel, vehicle stability and
tire wear when all related steering and suspension components are in good
condition.
What Are Toe, Camber and Caster?
A wheel alignment is based on several precise suspension angles. The
three terms most commonly associated with alignment are toe, camber
and caster.
Toe
Toe describes whether the fronts of the tires point slightly toward
each other or away from each other when viewed from above. Incorrect
toe can cause rapid tire wear and can affect how the vehicle tracks
on the road.
Camber
Camber describes the inward or outward tilt of the wheel when viewed
from the front of the vehicle. Excessive positive or negative camber
can cause wear on the inside or outside edge of the tire.
Caster
Caster relates to the angle of the steering axis. It plays an
important role in straight-line stability, steering feel and the
steering wheel’s ability to return toward center after a turn.
Why We Inspect the Steering System Before an Alignment
An alignment cannot properly correct worn or loose steering components.
If a tie rod, ball joint, control arm bushing or another component has
excessive movement, the alignment may change as soon as the vehicle is
driven.
That is why we inspect the related steering and suspension components
before making adjustments. If something needs attention first, we will
explain what we found and why it affects the alignment.
We would rather address the actual cause of the problem than perform an
alignment that will not hold.
Steering Problems We Commonly Inspect
Steering problems can feel different depending on the vehicle and the
component involved.
You may notice looseness in the steering wheel, wandering while driving,
clunking noises over bumps, vibration, difficulty keeping the vehicle
straight or unusual steering effort.
These symptoms can involve tie rods, control arms, ball joints, steering
racks, wheel bearings, suspension components, tires or alignment.
Because multiple problems can create similar symptoms, proper inspection
is important before parts are replaced.
Can New Tires Need an Alignment?
Yes. In fact, installing new tires is often a good time to check the
alignment.
If the vehicle already has an alignment problem, new tires can begin
developing uneven wear relatively quickly. Checking the alignment helps
protect your investment and gives the new tires the best opportunity to
wear evenly.
Do You Need an Alignment After Suspension Repairs?
Many steering and suspension repairs can change wheel alignment.
Replacing components such as tie rods, control arms, struts or other
suspension parts may require an alignment afterward so the wheels can be
returned to the manufacturer’s specifications.
We can determine whether an alignment is recommended based on the repair
being performed and the vehicle’s design.
Why Does My Car Pull to One Side?
A vehicle that pulls does not automatically have an alignment problem.
Pulling can also be caused by tire pressure differences, tire conditions,
brake drag, worn steering or suspension components, road crown or other
mechanical issues.
That is why we believe in inspecting the vehicle instead of immediately
assuming an alignment will solve every pulling concern.
Why Is My Steering Wheel Crooked?
If the steering wheel is noticeably off-center while the vehicle is
traveling straight, the alignment may be incorrect.
Steering or suspension repairs can also affect steering wheel position if
the vehicle was not properly aligned afterward.
A professional alignment allows the technician to correct the applicable
alignment angles and center the steering wheel when the rest of the
system is operating properly.
Alignment and Tire Wear
Your tires can tell us a lot about your vehicle.
Excessive inside-edge wear, outside-edge wear or unusual feathering
patterns can sometimes point toward alignment or suspension concerns.
Tire wear should be evaluated together with alignment measurements,
suspension condition, tire pressure and driving conditions.
Frequently Asked Alignment Questions
How often should I get an alignment?
There is no single interval that fits every vehicle. An alignment
should be checked when symptoms develop, after certain steering or
suspension repairs, after significant impacts, or when abnormal tire
wear is present.
Can a pothole knock my vehicle out of alignment?
Yes. A strong impact with a pothole, curb or road hazard can affect
alignment or damage steering and suspension components.
Will an alignment fix vibration?
Not necessarily. Vibration may come from tire balance, damaged tires,
wheels, wheel bearings, suspension components or other concerns. The
cause should be identified before recommending a repair.
Should I align my car after replacing tires?
Checking the alignment when installing new tires is a good idea,
especially if the previous tires had uneven wear or the vehicle has
pulling or steering concerns.
Can worn tie rods affect alignment?
Yes. Tie rods are directly involved in controlling wheel direction.
Excessive looseness can prevent the vehicle from maintaining proper
alignment.
Wheel Alignment in Glendale, CA
Perfect Auto provides professional wheel alignment and steering services
for drivers throughout Glendale and surrounding communities including
Burbank and Pasadena.
Whether your steering wheel is crooked, your vehicle is pulling, your
tires are wearing unevenly or you recently completed suspension repairs,
our team can inspect your vehicle and help determine the right next step.
Does Your Vehicle Need an Alignment?
Call Perfect Auto and speak with our team about your steering, tire wear
or alignment concern.