“Are wheel alignment and tracking the same?” Our Gloucester-based garage sometimes receives this question from our clientele. Discover the answer to this question and other related questions about wheel alignment in Gloucester below.
Yes! They are. The terms ‘wheel alignment’ and wheel tracking’ are used interchangeably. Both of these terms refer to the adjustment of a vehicle’s suspension system i.e. the structure that connects the body of an automobile to its wheels; two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and camber angles.
Ensuring that your wheels are aligned is important as it ensures that your tyres make contact with the road in the correct way. You’ll likely notice poor wheel alignment if:
- Your vehicle pulls too far to the right or left.
- Your steering wheel is crooked when driving straight, or if it strongly shakes/vibrates.
- Unreasonably squeaky tyres.
The longer you leave it, the quicker your tyres will wear and the greater the hazard you become on the road. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to check.
2. What causes bad wheel alignment?
Bad wheel alignment can be down to driving over potholes, curb-side or road damage or debris, poorly installed vehicle mods, or minor collisions that affect the struts or other parts of your vehicle’s suspension. Driving behaviour can also play a huge role in the state of a vehicle’s wheel alignment. Often, many of our clients require wheel alignment due to regular old wear and tear – with worn wheel bearings or suspension springs. Experts suggest that you should have your vehicle checked for its wheel alignment at least once a year, although others suggest checking in every two to three years. It’s best not to leave it until something goes wrong!
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3. What happens in a wheel alignment appointment?
At Next Wheels & Tyres Gloucester, we use our cutting-edge wheel alignment machine, the Hofmann 3D, for all of our customers’ wheel alignment needs. As described on their website, our machine is designed to meticulously optimise the geometric angles of modern vehicles. Sounds fancy! Works even better.
Our expert mechanics have successfully tracked thousands of cars and vans, from sports cars to hatchbacks. We can also programme custom camber settings for all of your racing needs – Silverstone awaits!
Our customers trust us to ensure we carry out a quality and honest alignment check. We do this by providing an official print-out of before and after, the print-out clearly indicates whether the car is in the ‘red’ zone and requires wheel alignment to ensure longevity of tyres or is green which means tracking is not required.
4. Where does wheel alignment near me in Gloucester?
Head down to Next Wheels & Tyres Gloucester for all of your wheel alignment needs! For front-wheel tracking, we’ll take around 20 minutes. Full four-wheel tracking will require 40 minutes. Camber adjustments can take up to an hour, with astonishingly good results! With cheap prices, a fast speed of work, and an accessible central location in Gloucestershire, there’s no need to book elsewhere.
Low vehicle? We often get vehicles that are very low or have sports suspension and struggle to get onto ramps in the Gloucester area, we’re pleased to say our dual lift ramp caters for some of the lowest cars around, even a couple of inches off the floor!
Our friendly and expert team of mechanics can even assist with any road or curb-side damage to your wheels, fixing buckles, cracks, and more! Click here to learn more about our wheel refurbishment service.
5. Should I get new tyres or an alignment first?
It’s best to consult with one of our expert mechanics to determine whether the fault with your vehicle is down to the tyre wear, tyre balance, or suspension system.
We sometimes receive a similar question – do you need a wheel alignment after replacing tyres? Generally, it’s best to get an alignment if you’re replacing all four tyres or if you’re switching to a different type of tyre. However, it may not always be necessary – it’s best to consult with one of our professionals to determine if this is needed at all.
Conclusion
In answer to the question “Are wheel alignment and tracking the same?” The answer is YES! If you’re unsure about your suspension system, book in your wheel alignment appointment with Next Wheels & Tyres today.
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About Next Wheels and Tyres Gloucester:
At Next Wheels & Tyres Gloucester we specialise in providing an exceptional customer experience no matter what your motoring needs are. We stock a large choice of stunning Alloy Wheels and both New and Part Worn Tyres, as well as providing a top class alloy wheel refurbishment service at our large Gloucester based service centre. Drop in and say hello!
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