Wheel alignment and wheel balancing are often confused but they fix completely different problems. Here's a plain-English guide to both – and when you need each one.
Wheel alignment and wheel balancing are two different procedures that address two different problems, and understanding the difference will help you get the right service when your car starts misbehaving. Both are essential for tyre longevity and safe driving, but they involve completely different equipment and fix completely different issues.
Wheel balancing addresses weight distribution imbalances in the tyre and wheel assembly. When a tyre is fitted, small variations in weight cause the wheel to vibrate at speed. Balancing involves spinning the wheel on a machine, identifying the heavy spots, and adding calibrated weights to the rim to counteract them. Symptoms of imbalance include steering wheel vibration at motorway speeds and scalloped wear patterns on the tyre. Every new tyre should be balanced when fitted, and balance should be checked periodically.
Wheel alignment (also called tracking) adjusts the angles at which your tyres contact the road – specifically the toe (whether the front of the tyres points inward or outward), camber (whether the tyre leans inward or outward when viewed from the front), and caster (the angle of the steering axis). These angles are set by the manufacturer to specific tolerances, and they can be knocked out by hitting a pothole, kerbing a wheel, or through general wear on suspension components. Symptoms of misalignment include the car pulling to one side, uneven tyre wear (more wear on one edge than the other), and off-centre steering.
Top Tech Mobile Tyres provides on-site wheel balancing with every tyre fitting in Glasgow. For wheel alignment, which requires fixed laser or camera-based alignment equipment, we recommend our trusted Glasgow alignment partners and can advise on the nearest reputable centre. Call 0141 673 5765 for mobile tyre fitting and balancing in Glasgow today.
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