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What is a Wheel Alignment and Does my Car need One?

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 19:52:54 GMT

What Happens During a Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment is the position of your tires relative to the body of the vehicle. This ensures that your tires meet the road at the proper angle, are centered in the wheel wells, and are pointing straight ahead. It is important that the tires make proper road contact for a smooth ride and to last as long as possible.

What causes the wheels on your vehicle to become “misaligned”? This can happen when driving on a road full of potholes, hitting the curb when parking, and normal wear and tear from driving. Problems with wheel alignment can cause you to use more fuel, and your tires will need to be replaced more frequently, which can be expensive in the long run.

How Can You Tell if Your Wheels Need Alignment?

When driving a car that needs an alignment, you may experience the following things:

● The steering wheel is crooked, even though wheels are straight.

● The car drifts to the right or left, constantly needing to be corrected to stay in the lane.

● Unusual or uneven tire wear

● Steering wheel vibration

● The steering makes a loud noise or the tires squeal.

The measurements are exceptionally fine, and wheel misalignment is not something you can see outright by eyeballing whether or not it looks right. An experienced tire technician can tell if your alignment is off and will suggest getting it corrected.

Terms to Know:

● Misalignment

● Steering pull

● Caster (forward or backward slope)

● Camber (inward/outward)

● Toe in/out

How Long Does an alignment take?

It does not take long to perform, roughly about an hour, if there are no parts to be replaced. Replacing damaged components requires a little extra time. You can expect it to be a little longer if you are getting wheel alignment and tire rotation performed.

What Happens During a Wheel Alignment?

During an alignment, the vehicle is put on the rack, and the wheels are rotated and adjusted until they’re properly aligned to fit manufacturer recommendations, driving preferences and vehicle requirements. The wheels may also have camber, caster, and toe adjustments done at the same time.

If your vehicle has all-wheel-drive, it will need a 4-wheel alignment. This means the two front wheels will get a caster and front toe adjustment, and the rear wheels will get a camber and toe adjustment. This will round everything out and ensure proper tilt and rotation for all components.

Alignment is measured in degrees. Camber refers to the tire leaning inward or outward, caster (forward or backward slope of steering components) and toe (the direction the tires are pointing). Toe-in is just like it sounds, the tires are pointing inward. Toe-out means that the tires are pointing outward, from a bird’s eye view of the situation.

Besides the wheel adjustments, resetting a vehicle’s steering angle sensor is sometimes needed as well. The steering angle sensor has to do with steering pressure, along with braking and acceleration, in many modern vehicles.

When Do You Need Front-end Alignment Service?

Neglecting your car alignment can cause serious problems. Here are some situations where you would need to get one to avoid unnecessary wear on tires. You should get an alignment if:

● You buy all new tires

● You had a fender-bender

● You have your vehicle lifted

● You notice your steering pulls to the right

● It’s been a year since your last alignment

How Much Does a Wheel Alignment Cost?

How much does an alignment cost? A front-end alignment typically costs between $60 and $100. Some tire brands may cost a bit more, but it is worth it. If you can get this service as part of a yearly maintenance plan, go for it.

How Often Should You Get a Wheel Alignment?

For the best driving experience and to reduce wear on your tires, you should get your car’s alignment checked every six months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first. Getting a wheel check done every time you have your tires rotated is a good rule of thumb. If you get new tires, have the wheels checked to make sure the tires wear evenly.

Although it may seem like you’re spending more money, you’ll save money in the long run by not replacing tires so often, and you can avoid other issues with the steering or suspension that may creep up as well.

Do You Need to Get an Alignment After Installing New Tires?

Yes, getting new tires is a situation where it is recommended to get an alignment to start off in good shape and reduce the amount of wear on the tires as they age. You should have your tires checked periodically if you routinely drive on rough roads, or after bumps or impact. Ideally, you should have a wheel alignment check one or twice per year. Cars tend to go out of alignment gradually, and you may not realize anything is wrong right away.

Noticeable tire wear is one way to identify misalignment. However, it saves time and money to have your vehicle aligned annually to help correct any issues before any damage is done. If you need wheel or tire services, Brighton Bulldog Tires specializes in front end suspension & 4-wheel alignments. Contact us at 303-659-0868 or visit us on the web.

Why does My Car Shake When I Brake?

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 18:15:08 GMT

How do Car Brakes Work?

Why does My Car Shake When I Brake?

Why does my car shake when I hit the brakes?

Getting your car to move is important but it is equally important that your vehicle be able to slow down and come to a stop. So, if your car starts shaking when you press down on the brake pedal, it is understandable that you would be concerned and want to be assured your safety is not at risk. Here is an in-depth look at this common car issue:

First off keep in mind that car vibrations may seem to originate due to braking, but they also may be caused by wobbly wheels or faulty tires. If you are certain the brakes are to blame, there are several possible issues. For example, if the problem starts soon after you change the tires, it may be due to loose lug nuts. They need to be fully tightened to prevent the wheels from coming off.

If you feel the shaking or vibration in your steering wheel and your brake pedal, it could be your rotors. The rotors get pressed by the brake pad to help slow your vehicle down, and if the rotors are out of balance, this could be causing the vibrating tremors that you feel in the pedal and steering wheel.

How do Car Brakes Work?

The car brake system works in a few ways: Your foot pushes on the brake pedal and the force generated by your leg is amplified several times by mechanical leverage. It is then amplified further by the action of the brake booster. A piston moves into the cylinder AND it squeezes hydraulic fluid out of the end.

Replacing Brake Pads and Rotors

If your brake rotors are worn out or the brake pads are characterized by uneven wear, both of those problems could cause your vehicle to shake as it slows down. When brake rotors are too worn and in need of repair, the heat that is naturally generated due to braking changes the rotors’ normally flat surface into one with markedly uneven areas. Similarly, if the brake pads are excessively worn, they can’t consistently make contact with the rotors.

You can be a responsible car owner by looking at your vehicle’s wheels and checking the visible parts of the rotors and brake pads. Ideally, the rotors should not have cracks or grooves, and the pads should show even wear with an adequate amount of the pad material remaining. If you see something different upon inspecting your brake pads, make an appointment at an auto shop so a mechanic can check your car’s brake functionality.

Suspension System Malfunctions

It may turn out that the brake rotors and pads are working as they should and not making the car shake when you apply the brakes. If that is true, there may be a fault with your car’s suspension system , or specifically, the bushings.

Brake Pad and Rotor Replacement

If your car is shaking due to brake rotor or pad issues, the effectiveness of the brakes is not reduced. However, the sensation you feel is still unsettling, making it a good idea to take your car to a service center soon so you can relax and breathe easily behind the wheel again.

While working to diagnose your braking problem and figure out what is making the car shake, the mechanic will probably ask you several questions such as when the issue started and if certain kinds of driving seem to make it worse. You might also need to give details about your typical driving style since overly aggressive techniques could cause the brake components to wear out more quickly than they should. Operating your car regularly in heavy traffic while frequently accelerating and stopping suddenly could also result in extra wear and tear on your brakes.

Brake Pad and Rotor Replacement Costs

Labor at a shop to replace rotors and pads is approximately $150 to $200 per axle. Brake rotor and pad repair generally comes out to around $250 to $500 per axle when visiting a professional shop. Calipers are the most difficult and expensive aspect of the braking system to replace.

Schedule an appointment right away . The sooner a professional technician examines your brakes, the sooner you will know what is causing the mysterious shaking upon

Brighton Bulldog Tires provides, Tires, Used Tires, Balancing/ Rotating Brakes, Alignments and Lift Kits - visit us @ www.brightonbulldogtires.com

How long do Car Tires last?

team@rocketdriver.com — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 01:37:06 GMT

Al Mohar has been in the car tire business along time he currently operates Quebec Street Tires and Wheels & Brighton Bulldog Tires and he has seen every type of tire problem there is and has done tire repair to tires others couldn’t fix, we are tire experts. Do not wait until it's too late -- that is, until your tires fail.

There are plenty of reasons to give your tires especially if they are used tires a little bit of attention now, before you find yourself on the side of the road at midnight or in a rain/snowstorm in the worst possible situation. I think you will agree it is totally unsafe.

A well-selected and maintained tire can contribute greatly to your safety, increased fuel economy, better handling and stopping in all road conditions as well as providing greater comfort and ride quality.

Walking into a tire showroom can be an overwhelming experience with literally hundreds of tire brands available, in a wide range of styles, construction, composition and price. To make the selection process easier and more effective we've put together these great tips for buying tires.

1. Make sure that you need new tires. Perform a quick visual inspection. If you see excessive tread wear, cracked sidewalls, or any discoloration or a tire bulge, it is probably time for a new set.

If your tires are more than 5 years old, consider replacing them even if they look OK -- rubber deteriorates with exposure to oxygen.

2. Make sure that your car is in good shape. Inspect your tires for signs of uneven wear, which might indicate alignment or suspension issues. Check for signs like more wear on the inside or outside of the tire vs. an even wear pattern across the entire width of the tread.

If you put a new set of tires on a misaligned car, or one with bad shocks, you are throwing money away. The new tires will wear quickly and unevenly, and you will need another set in a hurry.

Most tire centers will inspect your current set of tires and give you an assessment of your car's condition before you buy. If you have a trusted mechanic, bring your car in for an inspection before heading out to the tire center -- an impartial opinion from an expert who isn't trying to sell you something is always desirable.

3. Check your owner’s manual and information placard. The manufacturer of your car has made a recommendation about the size and type of tires which work best with your vehicle, that information is found in the owner's manual and on the information placard.

The information placard on your vehicle is required by law, and is permanently attached to your door edge, door post, glove compartment door or inside your trunk lid. It may have been painted over on some older cars, but it's there.

If you don't have an owner’s manual, most manufacturers will sell you a replacement at a reasonable cost -- ask your dealer, or search on the manufacturer's Web site.

4. Decipher the tire code. Perhaps the most confusing part of tire buying is figuring out what those numbers on the sidewall of the tire mean. They are part of a simple standardized code that is required by federal law in order to describe tires, and to identify them in case of a recall.

You can read more in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's online brochure, but here's a quick primer:

Example of tire sidewall markings -- P215/65R 15 95H M+S

First up is a letter or letters, indicating the tire's purpose: "P" for passenger cars or "LT" for light trucks are the most likely letters you'll see.
Next is a three-digit number. This is the tire's width (in millimeters) from sidewall edge to sidewall edge.
Then, a two-digit number which is the tire's aspect ratio, or the ratio of height to width. The smaller the number, the shorter the sidewall.
Next, a letter, probably "R," which indicates radial construction. Almost every tire you encounter will be a radial nowadays unless you're buying tires for a classic car.
Then, another two-digit number, which is the diameter of the wheel that the tire is intended to fit.
Next, an optional two- or three-digit number. This is the tire's load index number, and its inclusion is not required by law. The load index number corresponds with the tire's load-carrying capacity. A site for discount tires has posted a handy chart with the load index numbers and loads. Simply put, don't install a tire with a lower load index number than your manufacturer recommends. AOL Autos: Tire shopping lessons
Next, a letter. This is the tire's speed rating. Follow your manufacturer's recommendation. You should only need to upgrade to a higher speed rating if you have modified your vehicle for track use, or if you are heading to Germany to drive on the Autobahn.
Next, some more letters, usually "M+S" or "M/S." This stands for mud and snow and applies to most radial tires sold in America.

There are more numbers and letters, most of which you don't really need to worry about unless your tires are subject to a recall. They refer to the tire's place and date of manufacture, the maximum inflation pressure, maximum load rating, composition, materials, tread wear, traction, and temperature grades.

Diving deeply into these ratings will yield a trove of information - most of which differs from manufacturer to manufacturer. Unless you are obsessive about your tires, you will probably be OK trusting in your tire guy's interpretation of the small print.

Brighton Bulldog Tires will be able to talk you through these codes and will know which tires are a good fit for your vehicle. You will have to choose between summer, all-season or winter tires, between extended tread life and better handling.

Be sure to ask a lot of questions, get answers, and have Al or Nick point out the features on the tires and the code that indicates the feature on the sidewall.

5. Consider the wheels. One of the most popular customization options on vehicles these days is a new set of rims. If your current wheels are worn or damaged, you might want to consider buying a new set when you replace your tires.

There's more than appearance to consider when you buy wheels, however. Try to match size as closely as possible to the manufacturer's originals. Even though bigger wheels might look great on your car, there's some complicated math to making sure that the tires and wheels match the car.

The bigger the wheel, the lower the aspect ratio tire you will be able to use. In order to make the car handle and turn properly, the outside diameter of the tire must remain the same as the original tires as the wheel gets bigger -- which means shorter sidewalls.

The sidewall is especially important to handling, and it is also especially important to comfort and noise. The shorter the sidewall, the less it will be able to flex when the car turns -- great for sporty handing -- and the less it will be able to absorb bumps and pavement irregularities. So, a bigger wheel might lead to a harsher ride, and a squirrelly car.

Additionally, the fact that custom wheels are often heavier than stock ones mean they can negatively impact the suspension or fuel mileage.

That said, you still might want to put bigger wheels on your ride. Perform some serious research before you make that decision and be careful not to sacrifice too much handling and safety for appearance. Tips for cleaning tires and wheels

6. Buy a full, matching set. Though you may be tempted to cut corners, and just replace the tire/s that are most worn, modern suspension technology is designed to work best with a matching set of tires. By replacing all four at once, you'll be able to maintain your tires better (more on that later), evaluate and repair suspension problems before they become major, and achieve the highest degree of safety and predictable handling.

7. Check on your spare. This is a great time to have your spare tire inspected and replaced if necessary. If your car uses a full-size spare and you are replacing your tires with the same make, model, and size, have Brighton Bulldog Tires save the best used tire for a spare.

8. Break in your new tires carefully. There is a release agent used during the manufacturing process, and it can leave a residue on the treads of new tires. There's a possibility that your tires will have less grip than expected until the residue wears off, especially in wet conditions. Allow about 500 miles of break-in time before you push your tires hard on cornering, and anticipate longer than usual braking distances, just to be safe.

9. Maintain your new tires. Check for proper inflation on a regular basis. Keeping your tires properly inflated will improve your gas mileage and will greatly improve your tires' longevity. AOL Autos: Gas saving tips

You should get satisfactory life and wear by maintaining proper air pressure, and by keeping up a consistent rotation schedule. Rotate your tires every time you change your oil -- even if they do not show signs of wear.

How long do tires last? How long do car tires last?

It may be tentative, but car tires do have an expiration date. There is a general consensus that most tires should be inspected, if not replaced, at about six years and should absolutely be swapped out after 10 years, regardless of how much tread they have left

What is the best car tire brand?

Bridgestone. If you're looking to purchase a set of all-season tires, Bridgestone is the way to go.
Continental. Continental is a top manufacturer that dominates the market when it comes to fuel economy and safety.
Cooper Tires.
Firestone.
General.
Goodyear.
Michelin.
Yokohama.

Brighton Bulldog Tires has been in the tire, alignment, brake, air conditioning business for 20 years and we welcome your business!