When “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” Gets Old

Get Professional Wheel Alignment Service

Although many people are nostalgic for the good ol’ days and love 1950’s-era Rockabilly music, there’s little to sing and dance about if your ride is a miserable version of “Shake, Rattle, and Roll.” That awful performance could be a sign that your vehicle is in need of a wheel alignment! Let the ASE certified Technicians at Stephen’s Automotive in Rockville, VA, help you end the dreadful show and get your car (and you) back to singing “Let the Good Times Roll!” Give us a call at (804) 749-4421 to discuss alignment services.

How Do You Know if You Need a Wheel Alignment?

While you should always rely on a certified technician to properly diagnose your vehicle, there are some tell-tale signs that your car may need a wheel alignment. If your car pulls to the side when you’re trying to drive in a straight line, it’s probably time for a wheel alignment. Also, if your steering wheel isn’t straight or won’t come back to the center, you may be experiencing misalignment. Another signal is the uneven wearing of tires. That is, your tires have worn tread in some areas, but not in others. Your tires may squeal, as well. If you are experiencing these issues, the problems will only get worse if you ignore them, potentially causing safety hazards and suspension system damage.

Why Is Alignment Important?

Although your wheels started out being perfectly aligned, many events can cause them to lose that perfect relationship with one another. For example, hitting a deep pothole or frequently hitting shallow dips can lead to misalignment. A car accident can wreak havoc, as well. You may even benefit from having a wheel alignment performed when you buy new tires. Regardless of what happened, you shouldn’t ignore the need for alignment. Proper service can increase fuel mileage, extends tire tread life, and prevents more expensive repairs, saving you money over time.

How is it Done?

Stephen’s Automotive begins by determining what type of alignment you need based on the kind of vehicle you have. All-wheel or front-wheel-drive cars with an adjustable rear suspension require alignment of all four wheels. Others, however, need only a front-wheel alignment. In certain cases, however, the rear wheels will also need to be adjusted in relation to the car’s center with a thrust-angle alignment. In either case, wheel alignment squares the axles and wheels so that all moving parts are similarly oriented.

To do this, your ASE certified mechanic will adjust the camber, caster, toe, and thrust, which are the major suspension angles. Impacting steering, the caster is the slope of the line that might be drawn through the upper and lower ball joints. Camber is the amount of tilt to the right or left. Toe refers to the difference in distance between the back and front of the front tires, and thrust is the relationship of the front wheels to the rear axle. The properly completed alignment will allow your steering wheel to be centered, your steering to be straight, and your wheels to move as intended in relation to one another. Experience the difference in driving for yourself by allowing Rockville, Virginia’s Stephen’s Automotive to take care of your car’s wheel alignment needs.