Howard's Car Sales Blog

Wheel alignment issues are a concern with any vehicle, but they can be even more concerning with a larger vehicle like a truck. Loss of control of a heavy vehicle is a real hazard, especially if you must use your truck on rough roads. Know the signs so you can catch alignment issues early.

1. Tyre Wear

Uneven wear on the tyres can be severe when alignment is the cause. In some cases, the outside edge of a tyre will wear more quickly than an inside edge, or vice versa. You may also notice that tyres on one side of the truck are wearing more severely than those on the other. Check the tread on different parts of each tyre often so you can detect uneven wear as soon as it begins.

2. Drifting

Your truck may begin to drift when in motion, particularly at higher speeds. It may slowly drift from side to side even if you hold the steering in one position, or it may pull more noticeably in one direction. This can make it hard to control the truck when travelling on rougher roads or in windy conditions. Small bumps in the road can greatly increase the drifting distance and ease of control of the vehicle. 

3. Vibrations

Poor alignment means the tires are not all touching the ground evenly, and they may also be pointing in slightly different directions. This can cause the steering wheel to vibrate quite heavily. Often, vibrations are most noticeable when braking, but you may also feel them when travelling at higher speeds or turning a corner. In severe instances, it may be difficult to hold the wheel due to the intensity of the vibrations.

4. Steering Issues

The steering wheel should be centred when you have the tyres pointed straight. When the alignment is off, even if it is only slightly, the wheel will sit off-centre when the tyres are straight. You can test this without taking the truck out of the car park — simply straighten the tyres and then check the orientation of the steering wheel. 

5. Brake Control

Trucks with bad alignment can become increasingly difficult to control when braking. Often, the truck will pull severely to one side when the brakes are applied, and the rate and force of the pull will be greater the harder you depress the brakes. The brakes may also squeal or otherwise struggle, depending on the severity of the alignment issue.

Contact a truck wheel alignment service if you suspect issues with your vehicle.