Everything about Wheel Alignment: Post your queries here

finneyp · 13th February 2010, 22:56

Nikhil, a very informative write-up on WA & WB. Thanks.

starter · 14th February 2010, 12:33

Hey Nikhil,
Thanks for this wonderful thread.
Could you kindly suggest a place in Bangalore where you think they would do a good job for a leaf sprung vehicle?
Thanks buddy.
Cheers,
Deepak

Akhil@Bengaluru · 14th February 2010, 12:37

Really very informative post.
Thanks for the same i was searching in Google for the details. Please post some wheel balancing reports for better understanding

Nikhilb2008 · 14th February 2010, 15:22

Will post more info about wheel balancing later tonight.

abhibh · 17th February 2010, 16:25

Very nice and informative thread Nikhil.

A suggestion maybe you can add about Tyre Rotation too (both 4 / 5 wheel)

bottle · 17th February 2010, 16:39

Is there any order as in balancing before allignment ?

abhibh · 17th February 2010, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by bottle

Is there any order as in balancing before allignment ?

I think its like
Balancing > Rotation (if you are getting it done) > Alignment

Nikhilb2008 · 18th February 2010, 00:17

There is no order as such.

Usually balancing is done before rotation simply because first they remove all 4 wheels, balance it and then fit it to your vehicle. When they fit it, they fit it in the new "rotated" positions.

Usually WB is done before WA, but it doesnt matter. When you do WA, you dont really touch the wheels as such and you dont change the balance in them.

Also, when you do WB, you dont actually touch the suspension(which is what is worked on during WA).

So, it doesnt matter.

vrrraju · 22nd February 2010, 14:24

Hi Nikhil, I am riding on JK Vectra on my swift ZXi which are stock tires. They have run now 40K and probably will do another 3 to 4k before they become flats. I have consistently done the wheel rotation and wheel alignment at regular intervals of 5k as recommended by Maruti. When I keenly observed I see that two of my wheels have worn out much faster when compared to other two. Spare almost not used or may have been rotated in 5 wheel rotation fashion. I am just concerned about what could be the cause, currently the worn outs are running on the rear and less worn out are running on the front. Also the wheel alignment was mostly done using the two sensors placed at the front as I couldn't find a wheel shop which does on all four. Is this could be the reason that my rear suspension is faulty or is misaligned due to which only two have worn out much faster.

I will be shifting to Yoko's next time as it is somewhat has received good feedback. I would like to either go with the stock size of 185/70 or should go with 195/65. Please advice.

Nikhilb2008 · 22nd February 2010, 16:50

Next time, why dont you try a place like Ashoka wheels for wheel alignment? I hear they do a good job for WA.

Without looking at the tyres, I cannot say why two have worn more, but it sounds normal. sometimes, even when you do regular wheel rotation, this can happen.

I would suggest the stock size of 185/70 R14.

SPARKled · 24th February 2010, 13:53

My Ford Ikon has done almost 50K in about 5.5 years and I am still using the original MRF ZVTS tyres that came with it. Now for the past year or so the suspension/shocks (I dont really know what) have been making creaking sounds everytime the car goes over speed breakers or potholes. There is also a slight pull towards the right. I have recently noticed that the right front has worn out a lot more than the front left. The wear is totally even and not prominent at any particualr place on the tyre. Is is due to a wheel allignment or a balancing issue? I have never done either of them before.
Now I am thinking of getting new tyres for the front and get a suspension overhaul to take care of all the creakings and sounds. Now is there anything in particular order that I should do?

Thanks in advance.

anachronix · 24th February 2010, 14:56

Dude, awesome bit of information! Need your help now to understand a minor problem in my car!

When I step on the brakes the steering vibrates slightly and also when I am driving slow and changing lanes, I feel a slight vibration on the steering!

Is this anything to do with screwed up tyres/alignment/balancing? Or worst case a suspension fault!?

Maverick1977 · 24th February 2010, 15:06

Nikhil ---> The steering in the Indica Vista does not self centre. Is this a problem with the caster?
I discussed this with the *** but they refuted my claim & said that the problem was something else. No further explanations.

anupam00 · 24th February 2010, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by anachronix

Dude, awesome bit of information! Need your help now to understand a minor problem in my car!

When I step on the brakes the steering vibrates slightly and also when I am driving slow and changing lanes, I feel a slight vibration on the steering!

Is this anything to do with screwed up tyres/alignment/balancing? Or worst case a suspension fault!?

The problem is mainly due to steering coloum rack & Bush.

Steering Coloum has a rack which is passed inside a bush.
The problem can be rectified by getting the steering overhaul or It is more advisable to get the complete steering changed,altough it cost more but last more at the same time.

+ Also get balancing performed for your car.

First Try Balancing if it is a minor balancing issue it would be resolved
If Not get the steering work done.

Also kindly let us know how much is your car driven in KMS.

Thanks

DieselFan · 24th February 2010, 15:30

Nice report Nikhil. Here are few questions that come to our mind. It would be nice if you can clarify -

1. WA - Is there a way to trick the system to show all the readings are within tolerance limits. I ask you this because it may be easier for mechanics to trick the system and take out an OK report than to correct the Toe or camber for example.

2. WA - I hear that WA of only front wheels are sufficient for all Front wheel drives. Is this true? If yes then why do we have rear wheel instruments.

3. WB - is there a max limit of weights that can be used on a wheel during balancing without affecting either the car or the drive.

Would appreciate your responses on the above.

13th February 2010, 22:56	#16
finneyp Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,762 Thanked: 400 Times View My Garage	Nikhil, a very informative write-up on WA & WB. Thanks.
	() Thanks

14th February 2010, 12:33	#17
starter Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: My city Posts: 1,139 Thanked: 930 Times	Hey Nikhil, Thanks for this wonderful thread. Could you kindly suggest a place in Bangalore where you think they would do a good job for a leaf sprung vehicle? Thanks buddy. Cheers, Deepak
	() Thanks

14th February 2010, 12:37	#18
Akhil@Bengaluru BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 99 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	Really very informative post. Thanks for the same i was searching in Google for the details. Please post some wheel balancing reports for better understanding
	() Thanks

14th February 2010, 15:22	#19
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,195 Thanked: 10,177 Times	Will post more info about wheel balancing later tonight.
	() Thanks

17th February 2010, 16:25	#20
abhibh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Back in the HOOD near you! Posts: 2,768 Thanked: 39 Times	Very nice and informative thread Nikhil. A suggestion maybe you can add about Tyre Rotation too (both 4 / 5 wheel)
	() Thanks

17th February 2010, 16:39	#21
bottle Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,641 Thanked: 294 Times View My Garage	Is there any order as in balancing before allignment ?
	() Thanks

18th February 2010, 00:17	#23
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,195 Thanked: 10,177 Times	There is no order as such. Usually balancing is done before rotation simply because first they remove all 4 wheels, balance it and then fit it to your vehicle. When they fit it, they fit it in the new "rotated" positions. Usually WB is done before WA, but it doesnt matter. When you do WA, you dont really touch the wheels as such and you dont change the balance in them. Also, when you do WB, you dont actually touch the suspension(which is what is worked on during WA). So, it doesnt matter.
	(1) Thanks

22nd February 2010, 14:24	#24
vrrraju BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 186 Thanked: 35 Times	Hi Nikhil, I am riding on JK Vectra on my swift ZXi which are stock tires. They have run now 40K and probably will do another 3 to 4k before they become flats. I have consistently done the wheel rotation and wheel alignment at regular intervals of 5k as recommended by Maruti. When I keenly observed I see that two of my wheels have worn out much faster when compared to other two. Spare almost not used or may have been rotated in 5 wheel rotation fashion. I am just concerned about what could be the cause, currently the worn outs are running on the rear and less worn out are running on the front. Also the wheel alignment was mostly done using the two sensors placed at the front as I couldn't find a wheel shop which does on all four. Is this could be the reason that my rear suspension is faulty or is misaligned due to which only two have worn out much faster. I will be shifting to Yoko's next time as it is somewhat has received good feedback. I would like to either go with the stock size of 185/70 or should go with 195/65. Please advice.
	() Thanks

22nd February 2010, 16:50	#25
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,195 Thanked: 10,177 Times	Next time, why dont you try a place like Ashoka wheels for wheel alignment? I hear they do a good job for WA. Without looking at the tyres, I cannot say why two have worn more, but it sounds normal. sometimes, even when you do regular wheel rotation, this can happen. I would suggest the stock size of 185/70 R14.
	() Thanks

24th February 2010, 13:53	#26
SPARKled Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 1,110 Thanked: 664 Times	My Ford Ikon has done almost 50K in about 5.5 years and I am still using the original MRF ZVTS tyres that came with it. Now for the past year or so the suspension/shocks (I dont really know what) have been making creaking sounds everytime the car goes over speed breakers or potholes. There is also a slight pull towards the right. I have recently noticed that the right front has worn out a lot more than the front left. The wear is totally even and not prominent at any particualr place on the tyre. Is is due to a wheel allignment or a balancing issue? I have never done either of them before. Now I am thinking of getting new tyres for the front and get a suspension overhaul to take care of all the creakings and sounds. Now is there anything in particular order that I should do? Thanks in advance.
	() Thanks

24th February 2010, 14:56	#27
anachronix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madras Posts: 3,286 Thanked: 1,336 Times View My Garage	Dude, awesome bit of information! Need your help now to understand a minor problem in my car! When I step on the brakes the steering vibrates slightly and also when I am driving slow and changing lanes, I feel a slight vibration on the steering! Is this anything to do with screwed up tyres/alignment/balancing? Or worst case a suspension fault!?
	() Thanks

24th February 2010, 15:06	#28
Maverick1977 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 999 Thanked: 929 Times View My Garage	Nikhil ---> The steering in the Indica Vista does not self centre. Is this a problem with the caster? I discussed this with the *** but they refuted my claim & said that the problem was something else. No further explanations.
	() Thanks

24th February 2010, 15:30	#30
DieselFan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,584 Thanked: 260 Times	Nice report Nikhil. Here are few questions that come to our mind. It would be nice if you can clarify - 1. WA - Is there a way to trick the system to show all the readings are within tolerance limits. I ask you this because it may be easier for mechanics to trick the system and take out an OK report than to correct the Toe or camber for example. 2. WA - I hear that WA of only front wheels are sufficient for all Front wheel drives. Is this true? If yes then why do we have rear wheel instruments. 3. WB - is there a max limit of weights that can be used on a wheel during balancing without affecting either the car or the drive. Would appreciate your responses on the above.
	() Thanks