This can happen when you're driving at high speeds and hit either a speed bump, a sidewalk curb, a deep pothole, or any type of object on the road. Hitting a bump or hole can also cause one or more of the steel tire belts to break.
A major problem resulting from hitting the curb is throwing your car's suspension out of alignment.
It doesn't matter whether you get your alignment before or after having your new tires put on. Most experts agree that the only effect worn tires have on your alignment is a change to the vehicle's ride height which, given today's steering and suspension design, should be negligible.
Here are the top three reasons your vehicle may fall out of alignment: Sudden disturbance or impact from hitting something such as a pothole, bumping into a curb, going too fast over a speed bump, or an accident. Suspension components, including poor shocks or struts, become worn or loose affecting alignment.
Typically, it is recommended to get your wheels aligned every 2 to 3 years. However, to ensure the optimal safety of your car, yourself and others around you, it is best to opt for a wheel alignment every time you go to change your oil of the vehicle.
Several alignment factors must be considered to achieve proper wheel alignment. The top four factors are toe, tracking, camber and caster. Toe and tracking are the two most critical alignment settings for front-end tire wear.
CAMBER, TOE, & CASTER
Too much inward or outward tilt, also known as negative and positive camber, respectively, indicates improper alignment and will need to be adjusted. Worn bearings, ball joints, and other wheel-suspension parts may contribute to camber misalignment.
Hitting a curb at speeds of just 5–10 mph is enough to cause significant damage. Even if the impact feels insignificant, you should still pull over to assess the damage. Check the tire, especially the sidewall, for damage.
Tire or Suspension Trouble
Finally, tires, the wheels themselves, or your vehicle's suspension can affect the wheel alignment. This is why your vehicle's manufacturer recommends preventative maintenance. Taking care of your tires, wheels, and suspension will keep your vehicle aligned and you driving straight ahead.
Generally speaking, you'll want to get your vehicle's wheels at least checked for proper alignment once a year or every other oil change.
The common symptoms of an out-of-balance wheel-tire assembly are uneven and faster tread wear, poor fuel economy, or vibration in the steering wheel and/or floorboard that gets worse at faster speeds. When all areas of the wheel-tire assembly are as equal in weight as possible, the tire will roll smoothly.
Poor air pressure can also cause the vehicle to pull to one side or another. If the pressure varies from one tire to another, it changes the height causing the alignment to change. Underinflated tires also experience more resistance when rolling, making a pull more obvious.
Poor Vehicle Alignment
The tie rods help your vehicle to steer and track straight when your steering wheel is centered. Bad tie rods will allow the wheels to come out of alignment.
We recommend an alignment after the installation of new tires. This helps you get the most life from your new tires. Wheel alignment checks are always advised after a significant impact or uneven tire wear is detected.
Things like hitting potholes, bumping curbs, or even minor accidents are all common causes of one or more of your wheels coming out of alignment. Second, normal wear and tear can all eventually cause your car to come out of alignment.
Common misalignments are the result of two rotating shafts not parallel to one another, either by a slightly offset or angled gap at the coupling. However, sometimes in most real-life situations it is both, which is called a compound misalignment.
The cost of an alignment depends on several factors: The number of wheels. A front-end alignment, which involves only the two wheels on the front of the car, typically costs anywhere from $50 to $75. Four-wheel alignments cost more, usually $100 to $168.
Proper alignment on your vehicle will result in a smoother ride, better handling, increased fuel efficiency, and your tires will last much longer.
Poor Alignment
That said, if the alignment is off by enough, it can even cause your vehicle to shake! As the front wheels right with the rest of the car, vibrations can develop which travel up the steering column and rattle the steering wheel, shaking you in your driver's seat.
Unbalanced car tires can cause damage to different parts of your vehicle. For example, driving with tires that aren't properly balanced puts undue stress on your shocks, bearings, and wheel assembly. Increased fuel costs. Driving on tires out of balance may cause your fuel costs to rise.