auto alignment – Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop

Tag: auto alignment

Is It Alignment or Transmission? Diagnosing Acceleration and Vibration Issues

July 10, 2025 / admin / Comments Off

When your vehicle begins to vibrate or hesitate during acceleration, it’s easy to assume something is seriously wrong—but pinpointing the actual cause can be tricky. Two common culprits are wheel alignment issues and transmission problems. While they can produce similar symptoms, they affect your vehicle in very different ways. In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between alignment-related and transmission-related problems and explain how to recognize the signs.

Understanding Alignment-Related Vibration and Acceleration Problems
Poor alignment can cause your wheels to point in slightly different directions, leading to uneven tire wear, pulling to one side, and vibrations, especially at higher speeds. You might also notice your steering wheel shakes or feels off-center. While alignment doesn’t typically affect your car’s ability to accelerate, it can indirectly make the vehicle feel sluggish or unstable.

Recognizing Transmission-Related Acceleration Issues
Unlike alignment, the transmission directly controls how your vehicle shifts through gears and transfers power to the wheels. Common symptoms of transmission trouble include delayed acceleration, jerking or slipping between gears, and dashboard warning lights. These issues can occur even when the car is stationary or driving straight, which helps distinguish them from alignment problems. If your vehicle revs but doesn’t accelerate smoothly, your transmission might need attention.

Vibration While Accelerating: Which One Is It?
One major clue lies in when the vibration happens. Alignment issues usually cause a constant vibration that intensifies with speed but doesn’t change with acceleration. In contrast, transmission issues are more likely to cause vibration, specifically during gear shifts or while accelerating from a stop. A diagnostic test or road test can often reveal whether the root of the issue lies in the drivetrain or in the suspension and wheel setup.

When to Get a Professional Diagnosis
Since alignment and transmission problems can overlap in symptoms, it’s best not to guess. A professional technician can inspect your suspension, check wheel angles, evaluate tire condition, and run transmission diagnostics to give you a clear answer. Prompt diagnosis ensures the right fix is applied before the issue worsens.

Trust the Experts at Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop
Whether you’re dealing with a shaky ride, sluggish acceleration, or just unsure what’s going on, Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop in Fort Worth, TX, is here to help. With expert diagnostics and honest advice, our team will identify the issue and get your vehicle performing like new. Schedule an appointment today at mikesautospa.com and let our certified technicians restore your ride’s comfort and safety.

What Happens If You Skip a Wheel Alignment After an Accident?

May 9, 2025 / admin / Comments Off

After a car accident, even a minor one, it’s common to focus on noticeable damage like dented panels, broken lights, or cracked bumpers. However, beneath the surface, your vehicle’s wheel alignment may have been compromised, leading to significant long-term issues. In this blog, we’ll explore the exact consequences of overlooking a wheel alignment following an accident, emphasizing the impact on your vehicle’s performance, safety, and your wallet.

Uneven Tire Wear

Misaligned wheels can cause your tires to wear unevenly, leading to premature tire replacement. This uneven wear not only shortens the lifespan of your tires but also affects your vehicle’s handling and safety. Regular wheel alignment ensures even tire wear, prolonging the life of your tires and maintaining optimal performance.

Decreased Fuel Efficiency

When your wheels are not properly aligned, your vehicle must exert more effort to move forward, leading to decreased fuel efficiency. This increased resistance means you’ll be spending more at the gas station, as your car consumes extra fuel to compensate for the misalignment.

Reduced Resale Value

A history of inadequate maintenance, including overlooked wheel alignment, can significantly reduce your vehicle’s resale value. Potential buyers or dealerships may view uneven tire wear, suspension issues, and handling problems as red flags, leading to lower offers or difficulty selling your car.

Compromised Handling and Safety

Proper wheel alignment is crucial for vehicle handling and safety. Misaligned wheels can cause your car to pull to one side, making it challenging to steer straight. This compromised handling increases the risk of accidents, particularly during emergencies or in adverse weather conditions.

Increased Strain on Suspension and Steering Components

Misalignment places additional stress on your vehicle’s suspension and steering systems. Over time, this strain can lead to premature wear and tear, resulting in expensive repairs or replacements. Maintaining proper alignment helps preserve these critical components, ensuring a smoother and safer drive.

Don’t Overlook Wheel Alignment After an Accident

Overlooking a wheel alignment after an accident can trigger a chain of issues, from uneven tire wear and decreased fuel efficiency to compromised handling and expensive repairs. If you’re in Fort Worth, TX, rely on the professionals at Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop to get your vehicle back on track. Our certified technicians utilize state-of-the-art equipment to ensure precise alignment, keeping you safe and your car running smoothly. Schedule your appointment today and drive with confidence!

How to See Past Angles When Inspecting Vehicular Alignment

October 21, 2022 / admin / 0 Comments

Tire alignment is one of the most overlooked parts of vehicle maintenance. Although it is highly crucial to keep up with the maintenance of your car’s alignment, people tend to ignore it. Have you experienced sudden jerks or your car swaying in a different direction? It is high time you schedule a tire alignment service with your mechanic. The following are some of the most effective ways to inspect your vehicle’s alignment.

1. Inspect the Setback

In professional terms, setback is an angle which allows you to see and measure the difference in distance between the centers of the front wheels. Minimizing the distance between toe, camber, and caster close to tolerance will do a pretty good alignment job, but the aftershocks can still be felt on certain occasions. Taking the angle from setback could show damage to control arms, bushings, and frames. As a result, always inspect from the setback.

2. Look at the Ride Height

The caster, toe, and camber are highly dynamic. Long periods of exposure to the road without maintenance and proper wheel alignment may be the primary cause of the distance between these three units. The OEMs will ensure tire functioning and axle health as appropriate if the ride height is correct. If you are missing a coil or a spring, it can drastically change the wheel alignment operations. So always check the vehicle’s ride height.

3. Make Side to Side Comparisons

Sometimes it is hard to figure out a bent shape from one angle. Experts believe that comparing side to side is the best way to find any technical faults in the alignment of your vehicle. If it feels lopsided from one angle, you are in dire need of a wheel alignment. The key areas to observe are the steering arms, strut mounting points, and control arms. Most chassis parts are designed to bend at strategic points to prevent damage to the frame or unibody in the event of a crash.

Conclusion

Every vehicle’s wheels at a certain point will lose its balance, whether it be due to imperfections, blemishes in its rubber, and other causes. If you notice any symptoms of unbalanced wheels or alignment issues in your vehicle, head to Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop – the best mechanical specialist in Fort Worth, TX. Give us a call at (817) 834-2725 to avail our services. Visit our auto shop or check out our website for more information about our services.

Mike's Brake & Alignment Shop

Honest & Quality Service