How to Perform Wheel Alignment?
3 Answers
Specialized equipment is required. First, drive the vehicle onto the equipment and secure the wheel alignment instrument to the vehicle's tires. Use a computer to read the relevant data and check if the data is normal. If the data appears chaotic or incorrect, adjustments need to be made on the vehicle until the data is successfully corrected.
I remember the scene of getting a wheel alignment last year. After driving to the repair shop recommended by a friend, the technician had me park on the alignment platform and secure the vehicle. They first installed sensor devices on all four wheels, which were connected to a computer screen. The technician started the software, which displayed real-time wheel angles such as toe-in/toe-out and camber. If the values deviated, he would adjust the links or screws under the chassis, giving them a slight twist and remeasuring until they met the standards. The whole process took less than half an hour, costing me 200 yuan to solve my steering wheel drift issue. Now, the tire wear is much more even when driving, and high-speed cornering feels more stable. It's recommended to check after driving 7,000 to 8,000 kilometers with a new car, and don't delay too long to avoid excessive tire wear and safety risks.
The wheel alignment process is actually quite fascinating. During the operation, the vehicle is driven onto a specialized platform and parked steadily, with technicians attaching infrared reflective targets or installing sensor modules to each wheel hub. The alignment equipment emits signals to measure critical parameters including toe angle, camber angle, and caster angle, with the data being compared in real-time against the manufacturer's standard values on a computer. If significant deviations are found, they use specialized wrench tools to adjust the tie rods or suspension components, followed by a secondary inspection to ensure precision. The entire process is efficient and compact, typically completed within 20 to 40 minutes. Proper alignment can correct vehicle drifting and reduce abnormal tire wear. From personal experience, I've found that regular alignments can even improve fuel economy since properly aligned wheels reduce unnecessary rolling resistance. Always choose a professional service center with proper equipment—cutting corners here compromises driving safety when alignment parameters aren't precisely calibrated.
