Wheel Alignment or Wheel Balancing? What’s the Difference?

Many people often get confused as to what service is actually needed when they hear the terms wheel alignment or wheel balancing. These conditions are actually miles apart with basically not much in common except a wheel, and that both conditions affect the forward motion and drivability of the vehicle.  Simply stated, a wheel alignment is a vital part of car maintenance  to keep your vehicle going straight down the road without drifting side to side. Wheel balancing will smooth out a vibrating or pulsating steering wheel caused by unbalanced tires.

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How do I know whether I need wheel alignment or wheel balancing?

The most common symptoms that signal that your vehicle needs a wheel alignment is...

    * Severe wear on the inside or outside edge of your tires; and
    * Drifting problems when you let go of the steering wheel.

However, there are a few other conditions that may cause the same results and require car repair:

    * low tire pressure
    * worn out brakes,
    * front end problems

Even though every vehicle has a unique setting established by the respective automaker for a specific alignment, i.e., factory default settings, these default settings will unfortunately be compromised due to the unevenness of the pavement, the crown of the highways, vehicle accidents, and daily driving in general.

Auto manufacturers recommend that you have a wheel alignment every time you have your tires replaced, notice uneven wear, or if the ball joints, tie rods or suspension has been replaced. However, if the front end of your car is under repair, hold off on an alignment until the new parts are replaced. A wheel alignment may be necessary after many types of vehicle repairs as they may interfere with the wheel alignment. There is no need to pay for a second alignment.

If you need expert advice on wheel alignment and/or wheel balancing, contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Wentland Diesel Service by calling 541-938-3875 or go on-line at http://www.wentlanddiesel.com/ for more information. Our auto and light truck repair and diesel service shop serves vehicle owners in Milton-Freewater, OR, Walla Walla, WA, Pendleton, OR and surrounding areas.