Uncovering Alignment Issues After An Accident
When an accident leaves your car damaged, your insurance or the other party’s insurance usually covers the repairs on your car, and this includes your vehicle’s alignment.
It doesn’t matter how severe the impact of the crash was, there’s a chance it’s left your car with alignment problems. Wheel alignment is important, and when it’s off, it can cause a whole host of worrying issues, from tire wear and tear to the car pulling more one way or the other.
It’s common for the impact of an accident to force alignment to shift. If you don’t check your alignment soon after your accident, you could risk doing further, costly, damage to your car.
Signs Your Alignment Is Out
So, how can you tell if an accident has shifted your car’s alignment?
Here are 6 warning signs to look out for.
1. Your steering wheel is pulling
If you find your steering wheel’s pulling more to one side or another, or it just doesn’t seem level when you drive, it might be an alignment problem.
Besides the physical effort of having to over-steer, you’ll also notice your steering wheel is somewhat off center and to the side.
You may even notice your steering wheel remaining at an angle, no matter how straight you’re driving.
2. Abnormal wear on your tires
Abnormally worn tires may be a sign that the alignment is off center.
It’s common for tires to wear when you don’t regularly rotate them. Poor alignment wear is different. If your car’s alignment is off, you’ll notice wear patterns like excessive wear on the outside or inside edges of your tires.
3. Difficulty turning your wheel
A lack of power steering definitely indicates a problem. Check to see if your fluid reservoir is full and if it’s not, fill it up. If it’s already gone down the next time you check, take a look under your car for signs of leaks.
Leaks can happen in the steering pumps, the rack or the hoses.
4. Steering wheel slipping
If your steering wheel slips when you hold it in a turned position or try to turn it, it’s a sign that your power steering is failing.
5. Steering wheel vibration
Steering wheel vibration is a major indication that your vehicle has wheel alignment issues, but it can also indicate an issue with your power steering.
6. Listening for noises
A screeching noise when you turn your wheel is another indication that something’s not right. It’s often caused by a worn or loose power steering belt. The belt connects the engine and your power steering pump, and it could become unaligned after an accident.
A grinding noise when you turn your steering wheel is another indication that there’s a steering gear problem.
It’s Dangerous to Ignore Alignment Issues
Not only can alignment issues cause expensive damage to your vehicle, but they also put you and other driver’s lives at risk.
Alignment issues can make it hard to stop quickly when you need to
Alignment problems after an accident can cause the vehicle to suddenly lurch forward when you stop. This poses a hazard to you and other road users.
Think of it like this: if you had to slam on the brakes in traffic, you risk hitting the car in front of you and causing a lot of damage.
Alignment issues make it harder to steer
Drifting, pulling, and shaky steering wheels are all alignment problem red flags. They make it much harder to steer and control the car, posing a safety hazard to you and other drivers on the road.
Alignment issues eat up fuel
When your wheels aren’t aligned, it causes more resistance and friction when you’re on the road. That means your car eats up more fuel, and you spend more money to fill up.
Alignment issues can ruin your tires
Alignment problems after an accident speed up wear and tear on the car’s tires. Left unnoticed, you’ll suddenly realize you need tires sooner than you thought, and even more often if your alignment isn’t repaired.
Book Your Range Rover/Land Rover In Today
As you can see, alignment issues after an accident are a big deal. The sooner you have your alignment checked after a crash, the better – for your pocket and your safety.
For any wheel alignment issues, book your Range Rover or Land Rover with the experienced team at AAA Service Center in Dubai today.
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