Is Wheel Alignment Necessary After Removing Wheels?
3 Answers
Wheel alignment is not necessary after removing wheels. If only the tires are removed, there is no need for wheel alignment, but wheel balancing can be performed. However, if the angle and position may deviate after tire replacement, the vehicle may exhibit symptoms such as pulling to one side, reduced steering accuracy, misaligned steering wheel, or uneven tire wear. In such cases, wheel alignment should be promptly conducted. Wheel alignment ensures that the tires maintain optimal angles with the vehicle body, reduces wear between the tires and steering components during driving, guarantees firm contact between the tires and the ground, and helps the vehicle maintain stable straight-line driving. Wheel alignment is merely a maintenance procedure and does not need to be performed regularly like routine servicing. If the vehicle shows no issues, wheel alignment is unnecessary.
A car owner who just had their tires removed and installed tells you, there are two scenarios to consider. If it's just a simple tire removal or swapping to wheels of the same specifications, there's no need to specifically get a wheel alignment. The wheel angles haven't changed at all. Last time I had a tire repaired, the mechanic removed both front tires, and the steering wheel stayed straight as an arrow when driving. However, if suspension components like shock absorbers, control arms, or tie rods were disturbed during the removal or installation, the alignment parameters are bound to be off—last week, Old Wang next door didn't get an alignment after replacing his springs, and his car drifted to the right like it was drunk. Also, tightening the bolts matters; they should be tightened in a diagonal sequence in several passes to the standard torque. Otherwise, the wheels will run with a bias over time, leading to uneven tire wear. After the removal, it's advisable to take a test drive. If the steering wheel shakes or the car pulls to one side, quickly schedule an alignment check.
Budget-conscious friends, listen up! There's really no need to spend an extra 200 yuan on a wheel alignment when changing tires or removing wheels. Taking wheels off and putting them back is like removing and reattaching a watch – the position remains unchanged as critical alignment data is stored in the chassis suspension components. However, note three exceptions: 1) If the wheel speed sensor wiring gets bent during removal/installation, it may trigger the ESP warning light; 2) If the brake disc mounting surface isn't cleaned properly causing wheel wobble, a simple dynamic balance can fix this; 3) When using hub adapters for aftermarket wheels, you must tighten bolts in a star pattern sequence with a torque wrench in three stages, otherwise vibration may occur. Regularly check tire wear – if you notice feathering on the inner or outer edges, that's the time to consider an alignment.
