Wheel alignment is important on any car, regardless of its age, including vintage cars. This often-overlooked service comes with some serious perks, like greater fuel efficiency, a smoother ride, and better vehicle safety—but those are only a few of the benefits. What exactly is car wheel alignment? It is an important suspension-tuning tool that influences the operation of your vehicle’s tires. The wheel alignment of your car describes a complex system of suspension angles that are being measured and a variety of suspension components that are being adjusted.
Vibrations in the steering wheel or free rolling steering wheels are clear indicators that the vehicle’s wheel alignment must be checked. However, small wheel misalignments often remain unnoticed which can result in unnecessary costs due to wear and tear of the tires, and increased fuel consumption.
What Exactly Does a Wheel Alignment Do?
In essence, a car or truck alignment ensures that the wheels and suspension system are appropriately positioned and adjusted to help the vehicle handle and drive correctly. This involves adjusting the camber, caster, and toe angles of the wheels to ensure they are pointed in the correct direction and checking and adjusting other suspension components as needed.
Proper alignment is critical for handling, stability, and tire wear. Misaligned wheels can cause uneven tire wear, which can lead to premature tire failure and the need for costly replacements.
Here are why wheel alignment matters, especially for vintage vehicles:
Handling and Stability
Proper wheel alignment ensures that the wheels are positioned at the correct angles relative to each other and the road surface. This optimization promotes stable handling, predictable steering response, and overall driving comfort. In a vintage car, where suspension and steering components may be more susceptible to wear and age, maintaining proper alignment becomes even more critical for safe and enjoyable driving.
Tire Wear
Incorrect wheel alignment can cause uneven tire wear patterns, leading to premature tire degradation and the need for more frequent tire replacements. Vintage cars often have unique tire sizes and may use harder-to-find tires, making it essential to maximize tire lifespan through proper alignment.
Three types of uneven or premature tire wear:
- Feathering: Tires become “feathered” when the tread is smooth or worn down on one side and sharp on the other. This type of tire wear occurs when there’s a combination of improper alignment settings.
- Camber wear: Is the inside or outside edge of your tire tread looking much more worn than the center of the tread? It could be due to camber wear. Camber refers to the angle of your tires on the vehicle frame, and it can be positive or negative depending on the angle. Positive camber (tilting outward) is usually helpful to keep recreational vehicles stable, while negative camber (tilting inward) helps high-performance vehicles handle turns. While some positive or negative camber is good, too much of either is bad.
- Heel and toe wear: Picture your tire treads, then zoom in. Those individual sections are called tire “tread blocks.” When one side of a tread block appears to be wearing down faster than the other in your tire’s rolling direction, it is called heel and toe wear. A symptom of heel/toe wear can be noise or vibration.
Fuel Efficiency
Misaligned wheels can increase rolling resistance, causing the engine to work harder to propel the vehicle forward. This can result in decreased fuel efficiency, which is particularly relevant for vintage cars that may already have lower fuel economy compared to modern vehicles. Proper alignment helps optimize fuel efficiency and reduces unnecessary strain on the engine.
Improved Steering
If your car’s wheels are out of alignment, it is harder to steer. You may even find yourself holding the steering wheel at an awkward angle to drive the car straight or veering from side to side. This lack of control increases your likelihood of being involved in an accident. Proper wheel alignment means you are able to steer clear of those problems and maintain stable control of your car.
Safety
A vintage car with poor wheel alignment may exhibit handling issues such as drifting or pulling to one side, especially during braking or cornering. This compromised handling can increase the risk of accidents, particularly in emergency situations or adverse road conditions. Ensuring proper alignment helps maintain optimal vehicle control and enhances overall safety on the road.
Preservation of Suspension Components
Misaligned wheels can place additional stress on suspension components such as ball joints, tie rods, and bushings. Over time, this can accelerate wear and potentially lead to costly repairs or component failures. By maintaining proper alignment, vintage car owners can help preserve the integrity of their vehicle’s suspension system and prolong its lifespan.
Comfort
When tires begin to wear unevenly, you may feel a vibration in the steering wheel. The tires may also produce more road noise when the tread is uneven.
Reduce Road Noise
If your car is making strange noises when you are driving, it could be a sign that your wheels are out of alignment. When your wheels are properly aligned, they rotate smoothly along the road surface. But when they are out of alignment, they can create a “thumping” noise that’s hard to ignore.
If you hear a strange noise coming from your car, it is a good idea to have it checked out by a professional. They can determine if your wheels are the source of the noise, and, if so, they can realign them to reduce the noise.
Finally
If you notice any unusual symptoms with your vehicle’s handling or tire wear, be sure to have your alignment checked as soon as possible.
In summary, wheel alignment is essential for vintage cars to ensure optimal handling, tire wear, fuel efficiency, safety, and preservation of suspension components. Vintage car enthusiasts should prioritize regular alignment checks and adjustments as part of their maintenance routine to uphold the performance and longevity of their cherished vehicles.
