Mike's Brake & Alignment Shop

Honest & Quality Service

Tag: car vibrating

4 Ways to Know You Need a Vehicle Alignment

            Have you ever driven on the freeway at about 80 mph, and suddenly there appears an enormous pothole that you cannot evade? Numerous drivers experience this type of scenario on the highway every day, never knowing that the pothole messed up their car’s alignment. Many influences can cause your vehicle to become out of alignment. Yet, a misaligned vehicle can bring you issues like wearing out your tires faster and less fuel efficiency. It is essential to know when you need an alignment and the four indicators to look for to avoid any safety concerns.

  • Vehicle Pulls to the Side

When a vehicle is pulling to the side, it is a strong indicator that it needs a realignment immediately.  A driver struggling to keep their truck straight is not a good sign for the truck’s overall health. Even if the vehicle is slightly pulling, it is still a good idea to take it to an auto shop, so there are no future issues.

  • Steering Wheel is Crooked

A steering wheel driven at an awkward angle is another indicator that a vehicle has a horrible alignment. If the car’s steering wheel logo is not facing up or down when the vehicle moves straight, something is wrong. The best option to do is to bring this issue to the attention of a trusted mechanic.

  •  Vibrating Vehicle

A lousy alignment means at least two tires are pulling against each and trying to go in separate directions. When a vehicle is pulling, a driver can quickly feel a vibration in the steering wheel. In worst cases, the steering wheel will shake, and the car as well.

  • Odd Tire Wear

The final inspection that a driver should do is to check their vehicle’s tire treads. Two tires on the same axle that have to wear in different ways can reveal alignment issues.  The tires will be smoother or balder on one specific part of the tire.

Conclusion

Bad vehicle alignment can bring unnecessary issues to a vehicles’ health.  Drivers who look for the signs of a horrible alignment can save their car, money, and mind. If you are having alignment issues with your vehicle, you can bring it to Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop. We specialize in alignments for your car and provide auto services in Fort Worth, TX. Visit our store or check out our website for more information about our auto services.

We look forward to speaking with you!

What Causes Vibration while Braking?

You’re driving along and hit the brakes when you suddenly feel a shaking. It’s not an earthquake, it’s coming from your car. Feeling your entire vehicle vibrate isn’t a pleasant experience, but an experienced car mechanic will likely be able to diagnose the issue quickly.

If a car shakes while braking it’s likely one of the following issues.

Warped Brake Rotors

If the brake rotors are not perfectly flat, this can lead to vibrations. If there is enough metal present, the surface can be smoothed out with a machining lathe. Generally the entire rotor will need to be replaced and smoothed out before installing. Even when rotors are new they should be turned on a lathe as they can warp while in storage. Warped rotors are a problem that is most often seen in new cars. In order to make a car fuel efficient, manufacturers keep the car as light as possible. Instead of the thicker, much heavier brake rotors of past, newer cars have much less heavy metal as a strategy to increase its fuel economy.

Worn Brake Pads or Brake Drums

Oil and dirt on your brake pads can prevent the surface from being perfectly smooth, which is needed for clean, shake-free braking. Brake pads or brake drums can similarly be worn down so that the surface is rough and uneven. In this case the solution is similar, smooth out the surface or replace completely. Any surface irregularities will lead to car vibration. If the shaking continues for too long without being fixed, it can damage other components within the braking system. It’s much less expensive to replace a worn out part of your braking system than the entire braking system.

“Tightening the front wheel lugs with the wrong tool can lead to vibration.”

Overly Tight Front Wheel Lugs

Tightening the front wheel lugs with the wrong tool can lead to vibration. A torque wrench will allow you to tighten all wheel lugs to the same level of tension. A pneumatic wrench will not give you a consistent level of tension so it’s easy to overtighten a wheel lug which can lead to warped brake rotors.

Problems with Brake Guide Pins

The guide pin is a part of a car’s brake caliper. If they are dirty and corroded they won’t work properly. Making sure your guide pins are clean and properly lubricated will keep them functioning in peak condition.

Experiencing problems with your brakes? Contact us today to see how we can help.