To properly do a wheel alignment on a Land Rover, you need specialized equipment. At Import Car Center, we have the necessary equipment for our mechanics to complete this service. The process of adjusting the suspension components ensures that all four wheels of the vehicle will be aligned correctly. This will optimize the tire wear and handling. Land Rover recommends that your vehicle have its wheel alignment checked every 6,000 miles or 6 months.
If you notice any signs like hesitation in steering, uneven wear in tires, pulling to one side while driving, vibrations or shaking in your steering wheel, off-center steering wheel, and impact on your fuel efficiency, your Land Rover most likely needs a wheel alignment. The most common problems that lead to a wheel alignment are impact damage, lack of routine maintenance, being in an accident, rough road conditions, or worn-out suspension parts like ball joints.
Process of a Wheel Alignment
Our technicians begin the process of performing a wheel alignment service on a Land Rover by raising the car on a lift and mounting alignment sensors to all of the wheels. Next, our mechanic will use specialized equipment to get all of the initial readings for the toe, caster, and camber angles of each wheel. The angles will then be adjusted as necessary to ensure that all the tires are pointing straight and parallel. Our technicians will finish with a final alignment check to ensure that all angles are within the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Vehicle inspection
- Before placing the vehicle on the alignment rack, it should be inspected. The suspension components and overall steering, tire pressure, and condition need to be checked.
- Mounting sensors
- To properly measure the angles, the alignment sensors need to be secured and mounted correctly.
- Initial alignment readings
- The initial angle measurements will be taken by the machine. Each wheel will have its caster, toe, and camber angles measured.
- Adjustment process
- Caster
- Adjusting the caster angle will affect your vehicle’s steering responsiveness and stability.
- Camber
- Adjust the camber angle as necessary because this will determine the type of tilt the tire will have, either inward or outward.
- Toe
- The toe angle will determine if the tires are going to point either slightly outward or inward. So they need to be adjusted properly.
- Adjust the toe angle, which determines whether the tires are pointing slightly inward or outward.
- Final alignment check
- Perform a re-measure to ensure all angles fall within the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Caster
Signs That Your Wheels Are Out of Alignment
Do you notice that your Land Rover is pulling to one side? That’s a likely sign that your vehicle’s wheel alignment is off. Our mechanics at Import Car Center can provide your Land Rover with a wheel alignment service and get you and your car back on the road. We suggest bringing your vehicle in if you see any of the following symptoms:
- Steering hesitation
- There could be wheel alignment issues if you notice a pause, struggle, or delay while trying to turn your steering wheel.
- Uneven tire wear
- It’s important to inspect your tires for any kind of uneven wear pattern on the tread. Make sure to look at the shoulders, especially because this means that there can be alignment issues.
- Pulling to one side
- The vehicle will start to drift either left or right while driving, even though you are trying to steer straight.
- Steering wheel vibration
- If there is vibration or shaking occurring in your steering wheel while driving, then that can mean your wheel alignment needs to be adjusted.
- Off-center steering wheel
- Your Land Rover’s wheel alignment is most likely off if the steering wheel doesn’t center while you are driving straight.
- Reduced fuel efficiency
- Your fuel efficiency can be impacted because of misaligned tires. Misaligned tires have the potential to cause increased rolling resistance.
Common Causes for a Wheel Realignment
At Import Car Center, our certified technicians will use factory-grade equipment and tools to find out what is causing your Land Rover’s wheel alignment to be off. If you have been in any accidents or have run into anything with your vehicle, bring it in as soon as possible. The reasons below are the most likely culprits.
- Impact damage
- The alignment in your Land Rover can be seriously impacted if you hit curbs, potholes, or go over speed bumps too fast.
- Lack of maintenance
- Over time, wear and tear will accumulate and will lead to issues if you’re not getting routine wheel alignments and checks done for your Land Rover.
- Accidents
- Accidents or minor collisions with something can affect your vehicle’s wheel alignment.
- Poor road conditions
- The wheels can slowly misalign if you drive on rough road conditions with your Land Rover.
- Worn suspension parts
- Misalignment can be caused by suspension parts like tie rods, control arms, and ball joints becoming worn out.
At Import Car Center, we provide a service that you can trust. We have been helping drivers in the Grapevine area for over 40 years. Quality is what we strive for while servicing your Land Rover. We provide service to Grapevine and the surrounding areas.
- Grapevine, TX
- Colleyville, TX
- Keller, TX
- Southlake, TX
- Westlake, TX
Schedule an appointment with us today by calling us at 817-481-5665 or booking an appointment online at https://importcarcenter.com/service-department/schedule/.