Is Wheel Balancing Necessary When Performing a Four-Wheel Alignment?
3 Answers
Wheel balancing is necessary when performing a four-wheel alignment. Here is a brief introduction about four-wheel alignment and wheel balancing: 1. Wheel balancing is related to the tires. When tires are mounted on the rims, manufacturing precision errors in both the tires and rims can cause uneven weight distribution at different points on the wheel. If one part of the wheel is heavier or lighter than another, it will cause vibrations when rotating. 2. Four-wheel alignment does not target the wheels themselves but rather the length and position of various linkages. A wheel is not randomly installed on the vehicle; it has specific angles. Four-wheel alignment adjusts the position of components such as linkages or suspension.
I drive quite frequently and have experienced wheel alignment several times. To be honest, wheel alignment itself involves adjustments to the suspension system, such as correcting the camber and toe angles of the wheels to ensure even tire wear and stable handling. On the other hand, wheel balancing primarily addresses rotational imbalance issues, like steering wheel vibrations at high speeds. These two services are not bundled—technicians won’t automatically include balancing during an alignment unless your tires show obvious problems, such as uneven tire pressure or noticeable vibrations. When I visit repair shops, they always remind me that if I haven’t had balancing done before or if the tires are heavily worn, it’s advisable to do both. This helps comprehensively prevent safety risks, especially since highway accidents can be extremely dangerous. However, if you’ve recently changed tires or your car feels stable, opting for alignment alone can save some money. In short, it depends on your car’s condition.
In the auto repair shop, we often get asked whether wheel alignment includes tire balancing. Actually, alignment adjusts suspension angles like camber and steering axis inclination, which affects tire positioning. Balancing involves using small lead weights to counterbalance the wheel and prevent vibrations. These are completely separate procedures - alignment doesn't require mandatory balancing. However, in practice, if the vehicle shows signs of vibration or uneven tire wear, we recommend doing both together. Otherwise, hidden issues might remain after alignment. From experience, many car owners neglect balancing, only to return later with minor steering wheel vibrations. Doing both together saves time - just an extra hundred bucks or so for safety and peace of mind. People often think alignment covers everything, but it complements balancing. The wisest approach is to check tire pressure and wheel condition before deciding.
