Greg Clark Automotive Auto Repair Specialists
Your car tires play an important role in the safety of your vehicle and the smoothness of your ride. That’s why you need to maintain a proper car alignment to keep your tires healthy for a long period.
When it comes to car alignment, some car owners believe it’s wise to call an expert mechanic to get the job done effectively. On the other hand, some car owners wonder if they can perform car alignments themselves.
Well, whatever you’re thinking, it’s to understand car alignment to help you make an informed decision. Join us in this article as we help you find out if you should perform your car alignment with DIY techniques or call an expert mechanic to help you out.
Let’s begin!
What is Car Alignment?
Before we begin, let’s give you the basics to help you understand what a car alignment is. Aligning your car simply means adjusting your vehicle’s suspension, which is the system that connects your vehicle to its wheels.
However, it’s not just about adjusting your wheels or tires, a proper car alignment means that you adjust your tires till they can make optimal contact with the road. This will help you enhance your vehicle’s handling, fuel efficiency, and your tire’s lifespan.
Signs Your Car Needs an Alignment
There are some signs you need to look out for that’ll help you know when you need a car alignment. For instance, if you notice uneven tire wear, steering wheel vibration, or your vehicle is pulling to one side of the road, then you need a car alignment.
Tools You’ll Need for DIY Car Alignment
Here’s the truth: you can perform a car alignment by yourself. However, if you want your DIY process to be successful, you’ll need some important tools. We’ve laid out some of them for you here:
- Jack and Jack stands
- Wrenches and sockets
- Measuring tape
- Carpenter’s level
- Camber gauge
- Toe plates or alignment bars
Steps for DIY Car Alignment
Now let’s show you some DIY steps you may want to consider when you need a car alignment.
1. Preparation
Before you start your DIY car alignment process, you need to park your car on a flat and level surface. Then use your jack stands to lift your car and ensure it’s stable and safe before you start working under it. When this is done, you can now inflate your tires to the recommended pressure.
2. Camber adjustment
Your vehicle camber is the tilt on your wheels when you look at it from the front of your vehicle. You can tilt your wheels inwards (negative camber) or outwards (positive camber).
When you want to adjust your camber, you’ll need to place your camber gauge or your carpenter’s level on the center of your wheel and note the reading. If you need an adjustment, use your camber to adjust the bolts on your suspension.
You can do this by turning the bolts to your desired angle. Sometimes your vehicle may just need a slightly negative camber to align your car properly.
3. Caster adjustment
You may also need a caster adjustment if you want to properly align your car. The caster of your car is the angle of your steering axis when you view it from the side of your vehicle.
Now here’s something you should know: you may need some special tools and skills if you want to adjust your caster. So it’s wise to call a professional when you need a caster adjustment.
An Advice From an Expert Mechanic
It’s possible to use DIY methods for your car alignment. However, you’ll need precision, patience, and the right tools to get the job done. If you want to maintain a proper car alignment you may need to seek professional help to improve your vehicle’s performance and safety.
If you need a professional car alignment in Phoenix, AZ, Greg Clark Automotive is the right choice near you. We not only help you align your cars at affordable rates, but we also offer some services like free certified air condition inspection to help you keep your car running smoothly for a long time. Contact us today!