Four-Wheel Alignment Service

What is a Chevrolet four-wheel alignment service?

If you're driving a Chevrolet model with all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, then technicians will need to perform an alignment on all four wheels, instead of just the front two.

One of the first signs of tire misalignment is your car pulling to the side. If your vehicle is trying to pull to the left or right while attempting to go straight, then it’s time you bring it to a certified mechanic.

A second sign could be a crooked steering wheel, and another significant indicator for the need for alignment is uneven tire wear, especially on the side that your car is pulling. Your car will not suddenly fix on its own, and the problem will not go away - in fact, continuing to drive on misaligned wheels could make the condition worse.

Chevrolet Four Wheel Alignment Service Special

What causes wheel alignment problems?

The suspension helps to ensure that when you are trying to drive straight, your wheels point ahead. It supports the entire weight of your vehicle and creates a buffer between road bumps and you. Common causes for misalignment are driving over potholes, hitting a curb, traffic cone, offroading, or even driving over a particularly patchy road.

The different types of wheel alignments

The three main types of vehicle alignments are thrust, front-end, and four-wheel. Your Feldman Chevrolet of New Hudson certified technician can help you understand which type you need for your vehicle.

During thrust alignments, the four wheels are squared when adjustments are made to the front axle and aligned to the thrust to ensure your wheels line up.

Front-end alignments are made to just the front axle, and are the easiest to perform, but not sufficient for four-wheel drive vehicles or those with adjustable suspensions.

Four-wheel alignment combines thrust and front-end to position both the front and rear axles. AWD, 4WD, and front-wheel drive cars with independent or adjustable rear suspensions should have four-wheel alignments.

The suspension angles that will be inspected during a four-wheel alignment service are:

Toe: The angle your tires turn when turning in or out.
Thrust: This is the measurement from the centerline of your car.
Camber: The inward or outward vertical angle your tires align when driving straight.
Caster: The forward or backward angle, as viewed from the side, of your steering axis.

What happens if you skip getting a wheel alignment?

Improperly aligned wheels can be costly - both in money and safety. A four-wheel alignment service is one of your vehicle's most important maintenance actions for steering, handling, and safety. This can cause your tires to wear out unevenly and more quickly, resulting in the need for a tire replacement years ahead of a usual lifespan.

Misaligned wheels can also:

Cause unexpected lane swerving
Cause a blowout
Cause unexpected shaking or vibrations
Pull the vehicle to one side while driving

Any of these actions could result in an accident or injury and result in a significant safety concern.

What will my Feldman Chevrolet of New Hudson mechanic do during my four-wheel alignment service?

Depending on your Chevrolet model, your mechanic will either begin the four-wheel alignment service with a test drive or hoisting your vehicle into the air. Next, they will examine the suspension, tires, and overall underside of your car to uncover signs of excessive wear or damage. All four tires will have their pressure checked, and adjustments to air will be made then. The technician will inspect various suspension and steering components, such as:

Shocks
Struts
Control arm bushings
Coil springs
Ball joins
Steering linkage
And more

The certified technician will attach a Chevrolet alignment machine to your car. The machine will help the mechanic make the proper adjustments to your suspension based on your specific Chevrolet model. Before the four-wheel alignment service is finished, the Chevrolet mechanic will ensure the steering wheel is perfectly centered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I get my suspension and steering inspected?

While regular, everyday driving will create wear on your suspension system, those parts will wear down over time. As they break down, you can see a decrease in road handling, a loss of ride comfort, excessive tire wear, and even a significant decrease in overall steering control.

How often should I get a four-wheel alignment service?

Your suspension and steering system should receive routine maintenance, just like an oil change. Additionally, you should get your alignment inspected:

On average, Chevrolet recommends every 7,500 miles, but this can vary by model
Inspected every six months
Full alignment adjusted every two to three years, depending on vehicle use
Any time the tires are rotated
If your brakes are serviced
Inspected when your oil is changed
If you see oil leaking under your car
If you see any signs of irregular handling or steering

How long does a four-wheel alignment service take?

The actual alignment process can take anywhere from 25 minutes to two hours to complete, depending on the severity of your vehicle’s alignment issues. Speak with your certified Feldman Chevrolet of New Hudson service technician to get a more accurate timeframe for your specific vehicle.

What are signs that my alignment should be inspected?

Speak with a certified Chevrolet mechanic if you notice any of the following signs:

Bouncy ride
Overall tire vibration
Noise from your front when going over bumps
Noise when turning
Off-center steering wheel
Left or right drifting
Uneven or unusual tire wear
Fluid leaks
Car swaying
Feldman Chevrolet of Lansing Service Department

4-Wheel Alignment Service with a GM/Chevrolet Certified Technician

A Chevrolet certified technician completes every Chevrolet four-wheel alignment service at Feldman Chevrolet of New Hudson- because they are experts that know your Chevrolet car, truck, van, crossover, or SUV the best. Our Chevrolet certified technicians have extensive training and equipment knowledge to align your Chevy model's wheels perfectly.

Schedule Wheel Alignment Service in New Hudson, MI

You don’t have to accept misaligned wheels that create a bumpy ride or hazardous driving situation. Don’t put off the Chevrolet four-wheel alignment service that you need; Schedule an appointment today at Feldman Chevrolet of New Hudson to have one of our Chevrolet certified technicians provide you with a complete Chevrolet Four Wheel Alignment Service.