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We recommend that alignments be done every 3-6 months, depending on the road conditions. Unfortunately, not all roads are the same, and many roads are in poor condition. A single pothole has the potential to change the alignment of a truck. Regular alignments are vital to tire longevity. The rear axles do not need to be aligned as often as the steer, but you do want to have it checked periodically. The number one cause of wearing out the steer tires is the adjustment of the toe. The second most significant reason steer tires wear out is if one of the rear axles is out of alignment.

An alignment can take anywhere from 2-4 hours. Any time we bring in a vehicle for an alignment, we do a thorough suspension inspection. We check springs, shackles, hangers, kingpins, tie rod ends, bushings, etc. We ensure that everything in the suspension is in good condition before hanging our Beeline Laser Alignment equipment on the unit. Once we hook our machine up to the truck, we can make any adjustments necessary to the alignment. 

We get this question often. We have a flat rate labor price for alignments. That price will cover the cost of the complete inspection and the hanging of all of the gauges and any necessary adjustments, including bending the axle for camber adjustment. There is no way to look at a truck and know whether or not it is 1/16” or 3/32” out of alignment. The only way to verify an alignment is to hook up all the machines to the axle and check the alignment with a computer and lasers. The cost remains the same if we have to make adjustments or not. 

Any shims or wedges used to correct the alignment would also be an additional cost.

No, an alignment will not cause your truck to shake. When an alignment is incorrect, it may cause your truck to slightly pull in one direction or wear out your tires over time. A truck that vibrates at certain speeds is most likely a broken belt in a tire. It could also be an out of round tire. 

POTHOLES! As well as defective belts and manufacturing issues.

Tires are among the most vital parts of a vehicle. They allow you to have a steady and smooth ride on the road. However, the tire belts can weaken if you constantly drive on gravel roads or potholes. You should avoid hitting potholes at high speeds as every major hit experienced by your tire degrades it.

Tire belts are steel cords that allow the tire to stay in shape. Defective belts often occur because not all tire manufacturers make their belts. How does this affect the belt quality, you ask? It puts the manufacturing of these belts out of the maker’s control, meaning that there is a likelihood that these external contractors may use less quality steel. This will eventually lead to a broken tire belt.

Steering Difficulty: Your tires aid your ability to steer your vehicle efficiently. The outer tire belts of your tire provide stability and help it steer without too much hassle. This can also mimic the symptoms of a misaligned front end as your vehicle may tilt while your steering remains straight. The moment your tire belts begin to break, you will notice that steering becomes even more difficult.

Vibration: Your vehicle tires are usually balanced with the use of metal weights. This ensures that your tires roll without wobbling or vibrating, implying that if the belt in your tire breaks, your vehicle wheels will lose their balance, causing vibrations when in use. However, a broken tire belt does not prevent you from driving, but you will feel it on your steering; Thus, it reduces the comfort level of your vehicle by a lot.

The easiest and most efficient way to fix a broken tire belt is to buy a new tire set. Yes, you read right. To our dismay, once your tire belt is broken or separated, that’s the end of that tire. Any attempts to repair may lead to complications in the future.

As the term “out of round” suggests, it refers to a tire that has lost its perfectly round shape. This imperfection throws the tire off balance. 

You cannot completely fix a tire once it is out of round. You have to replace it.