Wheels can be misaligned if the vehicle is jarred suddenly, like by driving over a pothole or an object on the road. Parts in the wheel assembly and suspension can also wear and shift for causing a noticeable symptom that it is now the time to realign the wheels.
A rightly aligned vehicle will perform better and in a more efficient manner. If you make a fast turn or dodge on something that is on the road, a wheel alignment could be the first thing that can save your life.
Few Bad Wheel Alignment Symptoms
There are times when underinflated tires can cause issues which could also be caused by the misaligned wheels. Check the tire pressure first, and if those are within the normal limitations, then it may be the right time to realign the wheels. Here are a few symptoms of a bad wheel alignment.
Vehicle pulls to one side- Check your alignment while driving on a straight road that has less traffic: remove your hands from the steering wheel and allow the vehicle to guide itself on the road. If you notice that the vehicle drifts or swerves on one side, keep your fingers back on the steering wheel and maintain control of the steering wheel to stay on the road. When the vehicle is driving straight again, repeat the test. If the vehicle veers towards one side, then the wheels must be realigned. The more it pulls out of straight line; the worse will be the alignment. If you do not address the problem, it will be difficult to drive straight, and you may also cross over into another lane. Keep in mind that the crown of a road may pull your vehicle to one side as well, as the centre of the road is high than the shoulder.
Uneven steering wheel- When you are driving down a road that is totally straight and flat, the steering wheel of the vehicle must remain straight and centred perfectly. A simple way to check this is to look at the emblem in the centre of the steering wheel. If the emblem remains level while driving in a straight way, the steering wheel is centred. However, if the emblem tips a few degrees off level in any direction, then the steering wheel is uneven, and the vehicle must require a wheel alignment. Once it gets realigned, the steering wheel will remain at the centre and you will find it much easier to control your vehicle.
Loose steering- A loose, or sloppy steering wheel can be very risky as it can result in a decreased response time while turning. This can be caused due to misaligned wheels and should prompt you to have the vehicle checked by a mechanic.
Steering wheel vibrates- A steering wheel that vibrates while the vehicle is moving is likely because of unbalanced or misaligned tires. However, vibration from a steering wheel could also reveal other serious issues. A professional can determine the cause behind the vibration.