Just like the names state – when you get a four wheel alignment done, you are paying to align all the four wheels, and front wheel alignment only aligns the front wheels.
Although a four wheel drive alignment is beneficial for all types of vehicles, it is especially necessary for rear wheel-drives and front wheel drive minivans and cars that have independent rear suspensions.
Until a few years ago, two wheel drives were the most common type of alignment for all cars and trucks. This norm was altered with the introduction of front wheel drive vehicles. However, the concept of alignment did not change much. Aligning the four wheels of a vehicle is important because the rear wheels play an equally important role on the roads as the front ones do.
The fact is that there is not much a car repairman can do to the rear suspension considering there are no adjustments to be made, but the need to check the rear wheel has always been present.
If the rear axle bends towards one side, it causes the steering to drift towards that side or the other. Sometimes simply repositioning the rear axle can correct this misalignment, but in if not, then the front wheels are aligned just enough to set the steering dynamics right.
It was not until the 1980’s with the introduction of front-wheel drive vehicles did people realize the important the rear wheel drive alignment.
When front wheel drive wheel drive vehicles were first introduced, they couldn’t be altered much in terms of front and rear adjustments, but aftermarket parts made this possible.
Today, most front wheel drive automakers have set factory adjustments and settings for the rear suspension as well.
Front wheel alignments are a technician’s preferred choice as they don’t take up much time, do not require special equipment, and cost relatively similar to four wheel drive alignments.
But aligning only your front wheels is asking a dentist to only cater fix your upper teeth.
If you’re scheduled for a wheel alignment, it only makes sense to check all four wheels to maintain safety from all angles, and to save yourself another trip to check the other two should they malfunction.
In general, wheel alignment must be done every time you install new suspension components if your vehicle has been through an accident, if you notice any unusual tire wear patterns or if you get a whole new set of tires. Wheel alignment is one of the crucial regular maintenance tasks of any vehicle, big or small.
It is regarded as a suspension tuning tool, which influences and resolves tire wear and handling issues.
The process of wheel alignment consists of adjusting the wheels in a way that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other.
This type of geometry increases the longevity of the tires and ensure that they maintain high safety standards.
There are three static angles that need to be measured during wheel alignment and are camber, caster, thrust and toe angle.
Although they all work towards measuring your tires alignment, they work from different angles.
For the common driver who just needs their wheels, it is not important to know the details of the above angles, but it’s all good to know the work that goes into the task and hence must be done by a trained car technician.
