How do I know if I need a wheel balance or alignment?

Determining whether your vehicle needs a wheel balance or alignment can be tricky. Many of the symptoms are similar for an out-of-balance or misaligned wheel. However, correctly identifying the issue and seeking the right service is important for your safety, preventing uneven tire wear, and getting the smoothest ride possible.

What is a Wheel Balance?

A wheel balance refers to having the weight evenly distributed around the wheel and tire assembly. Weights are added to the inner and outer edges of the rim to offset any heavy spots on the tire and achieve balance. An out-of-balance wheel will typically cause vibration at certain speeds as the heavy spot rotates around. This vibration can be felt in the steering wheel, seat, or floorboards. Some common causes of an out-of-balance wheel include:

• Tire tread wear – As the tire wears down, the distribution of weight around the circumference changes
• Damage to wheel or tire – Dents, bulges, or uneven wear will throw off balance
• Improper previous balancing job – The weights may have fallen off or be incorrectly placed
• Bent wheel – A dent or deformity in the wheel rim prevents proper balance

What is a Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment refers to the angular orientation of the wheels relative to each other and the vehicle body. Proper alignment ensures the wheels are pointing in the correct direction when traveling straight. The main adjustable parameters are:

• Toe – Angle of the wheels relative to each other when viewed from above. Toe should be very slightly toe-in or parallel.
• Camber – Angle of the wheel tilted in or out from top to bottom. Camber should be very slightly negative to improve stability.
• Caster – Angle of the steering pivot axis as viewed from the side. Caster helps with straight line stability.

Misaligned wheels put more drag and uneven loads on the tires. This will cause uneven and rapid tread wear. It can also cause the vehicle to pull or drift to one side. Some common causes of wheel misalignment include:

• Hitting a pothole or curb
• Worn steering or suspension parts
• Lowered vehicle ride height
• Accident or collision damage

Symptoms of an Out-of-Balance Wheel

Here are some of the most common indicators that your wheels may be out of balance:

• Vibration at certain speeds – Most commonly between 45-60 mph. Can feel like driving over rumble strips.
• Steering wheel vibration – The vibration emanates through the steering column into the steering wheel.
• Vibration through seat or floor – With very out of balance wheels, the vibration is more pronounced through the chassis.
• Visual inspection findings – Weights have fallen off. Deformation or damage to the rim. Uneven tire tread wear.

The vibration will typically get worse with speed. Pay attention to the specific speeds where it occurs. The frequency of the vibration often indicates which wheel is unbalanced.

Symptoms of Wheel Misalignment

Here are some symptoms that can indicate your wheels need alignment:

• Vehicle pulling or drifting – It will pull consistently to one side. Often aggravated by crowned roads.
• Uneven or rapid tire wear – Noticeably more wear on the edges indicates misalignment.
• Abnormal tire noise or vibration – More noise and vibration at all speeds.
• Loose or wandering steering – The steering feels loose or disconnected.
• High steering effort – Alignment issues make the steering feel tighter.

Pay attention to how it drives over time. Alignment problems tend to gradually get worse if left unchecked. Uneven tire wear usually develops slowly over many miles.

Should I Get a Wheel Balance or Alignment?

Determining whether you need a balance or alignment comes down to carefully identifying the symptoms and when they occur. Here are some guidelines:

• If you feel vibration at certain speeds, wheel balancing is needed. The vibration frequency can hint at which wheel is off.
• If you feel vibration at all speeds, alignment should be checked first. Rule out alignment before balancing tires.
• If the vehicle pulls consistently, have the alignment inspected immediately.
• Uneven tire tread wear usually indicates a need for alignment service.
• Inspect tire conditions first if you hear abnormal noise from the tires over bumps.

Wheel balancing and alignment issues can also both be present at the same time. It’s often a good idea to have both inspected if the symptoms are more vague.

Should I Get a Front-End Alignment or Four-Wheel Alignment?

The full four-wheel alignment is recommended in most cases. Here’s why:

• The front and rear wheel alignments interact. Adjusting only the front can throw off the rear wheel angles.
• All-wheel and rear-wheel drive vehicles need the rear wheels properly aligned too.
• Adjusting all four wheels will result in optimal tire wear and handling.
• Advanced alignment machines can measure all four wheels in under 30 minutes in most cases.

However, a front-end alignment can be okay in certain situations:

• If you only notice pulling or uneven front tire wear, the rear is likely okay.
• Budget concerns on an older vehicle with minimal rear-wheel wear.
• If a recent rear alignment was performed separately.

Discuss your specific needs with the alignment technician before service. Many shops offer discounts for four-wheel alignments that make them only a little more than the front-end price.

How Often Should Wheel Balancing and Alignment Be Done?

Here are some general guidelines from industry experts on service intervals for wheel balancing and alignments:

Wheel Balancing

• Every other oil change or 5,000 miles for most vehicles under normal conditions. Approximately every 6-8 months.
• Annually for vehicles with low mileage or that are not driven year-round.
• Whenever new tires are installed. New tires and wheels always need balancing.
• After any tire repairs, removals, flat tires, or rotations. Rebalances help maximize tire life.
• When vibration is noticed or wheel damage occurs. Don’t wait for scheduled maintenance.

Wheel Alignment

• Every 1-2 years or 12,000-15,000 miles. When you notice tire wear or pulling.
• After new tire installation. New tires change alignment specifications.
• Any suspension repairs or adjustments. Alignment needs to be checked afterward.
• Hitting major potholes or obstructions. An alignment check is recommended.

Keep in mind these are just general recommendations. The needs of your vehicle may call for more or less frequent attention based on factors like tire wear observations, driving habits, road conditions, and vehicle age or mileage.

Can I Drive With an Out-of-Balance or Misaligned Wheel?

It’s not recommended to continue driving once you suspect either of these conditions. Here’s why you should get them addressed right away:

• The vibration from wheel imbalance can worsen and lead to damage of suspension and steering parts over time.
• Misaligned wheels put added stress on suspension components and the tires.
• Uneven tire wear accelerates on misaligned wheels.
• Pulling from misalignment makes the vehicle more difficult to control and less safe.
• Additional mechanical problems can develop from both conditions.

While you may not notice immediate or catastrophic failure, both wheel balance and alignment issues contribute to faster wear of tires and vehicle components when left unattended. This leads to higher repair costs down the road.

Can I Balance or Align Wheels Myself?

Balance and alignment are specialized services that require special tools and experience. Professional wheel service is recommended in nearly all cases. Here are some of the challenges of DIY balancing and alignment:

• Home tire balancers and aligners lack the precision of shop equipment.
• Performing an accurate alignment requires an alignment rack/lift.
• Adjusting alignment involves special tools and knowledge of suspension and tire design geometries.
• Selecting and placing wheel weights properly takes training and practice.
• Liability due to improper DIY service or failure down the road.

The cost to have a professional perform wheel balancing typically ranges from $20-50 per wheel. Alignment costs average $100-200 for a four-wheel adjustment. This minor investment helps ensure a safe vehicle and is worthwhile for most drivers.

Conclusion

Noticing symptoms like vibration or pulling, inspecting for uneven tire wear, and adhering to recommended service intervals are all smart ways to stay on top of your vehicle’s wheel balance and alignment health. Identifying whether an imbalance, misalignment, or both are present just takes paying attention to when and how symptoms occur. Don’t ignore any signs of these issues, as driving with out-of-balance or misaligned wheels can lead to bigger problems and safety risks down the road. Leave these precision tasks to qualified technicians who have the tools and know-how to accurately diagnose and complete the necessary corrections.