Wheel Alignment: Why We Measure Before We Adjust

A customer will often come to us because the steering wheel is not straight, the vehicle feels like it is pulling, or a tyre has started wearing unevenly.

The easy answer would be:

“It needs tracking.”

But that is not always enough.

Modern vehicles can have alignment issues across more than just the front wheels, and what feels like a front wheel problem can sometimes be affected by the rear of the vehicle too.

That is why at Shaw’s we use Hunter four wheel alignment equipment to measure the vehicle properly before deciding what needs adjusting.

It starts with measuring

Before making changes, we need to know where the wheels are actually pointing.

The Hunter system measures the alignment angles at all four wheels and compares them with the vehicle specifications.

Hunter four wheel alignment equipment at Shaw’s.

That gives us something much more useful than an assumption.

It shows us what is within specification, what is outside specification and where any adjustment may be needed.

Measure first. Adjust second.

Why four wheel alignment matters

The wheels on a vehicle work together.

If the rear alignment is incorrect, simply setting the front wheels without considering the rest of the vehicle can leave the steering wheel off centre or the vehicle still not driving as it should.

A four wheel alignment allows us to look at the vehicle as a complete system rather than treating each wheel in isolation.

Alignment targets fitted to the wheels so the vehicle can be measured accurately.

Uneven tyre wear can be a clue

One of the common reasons customers ask us to check alignment is unusual tyre wear.

A tyre wearing heavily on one edge can indicate that something is not right.

But tyre wear alone does not tell us exactly what needs adjusting.

There can also be other reasons for unusual wear, including tyre pressures, worn suspension components or damage.

So again, we measure before recommending anything.

Alignment after suspension or steering repairs

Wheel alignment can also be worth checking after certain suspension or steering work.

Replacing components can affect the position of the wheels, and there is little point fitting new parts or new tyres if the vehicle is then left with incorrect alignment.

A proper alignment check gives us evidence that the vehicle has been set correctly afterwards.

Training matters too

Good equipment only helps if the people using it understand how to use it properly.

Team training on our Hunter alignment equipment.

We have invested in both the equipment and the training because alignment is about more than making numbers turn green on a screen.

We need to understand what the measurements mean, what can be adjusted and whether there may be another issue affecting the result.

Protecting the tyres you have just paid for

Tyres are not cheap.

If the alignment is significantly wrong, a new tyre can start wearing unevenly long before it should.

That is why alignment is not just about whether the steering wheel looks straight.

It is about how the vehicle drives, how the tyres contact the road and getting the best life possible from them.

Hunter four wheel alignment at Shaw’s

We have invested around £30,000 in our Hunter four wheel alignment setup because we wanted the ability to measure and adjust alignment properly rather than relying on basic tracking equipment.

A vehicle set up on our Hunter four wheel alignment system.

The important part is not just the name on the machine.

It is what the equipment allows us to show.

What is in specification.
What is out of specification.
What can be adjusted.
And whether the adjustment has actually corrected it.

That fits exactly with how we work across Shaw’s.

We check it properly.
We explain it properly.
We do the job properly.
You decide what gets done.

Shaw’s Service Station
Kinmel Bay and Rhyl
01745 353481

Keeping your vehicle safe, reliable and on the road.

Hunter alignment is part of our wider wheel and tyre service, alongside tyre repairs, TPMS and two wheel alignment.

Uneven tyre wear or steering pulling? See our alignment services →