Getting a line on alignment. (wheel alignment)

Working smart will save you trouble

Developing a basic routine for wheel alignments can reduce the time they take and improve the quality of the job done in your service shop.

Repeating the same steps on each vehicle will greatly reduce the chance of error and minimize comebacks.

Keep in mind during the inspection and alignment process the reason the vehicle is in need of alignment in the first place.

Is it because of worn or broken parts? Is it from an accumulation of jarring road miles and parking by feeling the curb?

Or has some other work been done recently that may have disturbed the chassis settings? This can happen if during replacement of the engine or transmission the cradle has been removed and carelessly replaced.

Start by reading the wear pattern on the tires.

Go through the "dry park" check procedure of wiggling the steering wheel back and forth to determine any free play in the steering line. Flexible couplings or "U" joints leading into the steering gear should be suspect. …