WHEEL ALIGNMENTS & TYRES

Brisbane’s Western Suburbs and Ipswich

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WHY DO I NEED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT?

Your vehicle's manufacturer specifies carefully calculated adjustments and precise settings for wheel alignment that will reward you with maximum vehicle performance, optimum driving enjoyment and cost savings. Improper alignment will result in difficult handling, greatly accelerated tyre wear, poor fuel economy and excessive wear on your vehicle's suspension.

Steering or handling problems may include an off-centre steering wheel, steering pull, unsteady steering, loose steering or hard steering. You may notice a change in steering direction after hitting bumps. Unusual or accelerated tyre wear may take the form of edge wear, diagonal wear or cupping, that if left unattended will lead to premature tyre replacement.

Failing to maintain proper wheel alignment will make it impossible to maintain factory-specified suspension settings that control the quality of your ride. Protect your investment in your vehicle by keeping your wheels properly aligned. If you bump a curb or hit a pothole hard, have the alignment checked. If you have new tyres installed or worn suspension parts replaced, be sure to have these repairs accompanied by a wheel alignment.

Don't be fooled by low-priced alignments. At Southern Cross Mechanical we keep a record of all alignments done for period of 12 months for future reference of your readings before and after the alignment is performed. We reset all adjustment to manufacturer specifications and are happy to provide a copy of the specifications on request.

TYRES

Tyres connect you to the road, provide grip, support the weight of your car, absorb road shocks and increase driver and passenger comfort and safety. Quality tyres help your car perform better, stop quicker and even save you money as worn tyres increase fuel consumption. Good tyres may be the difference between having an accident and avoiding one. Southern Cross Mechanical offer a range of new tyres to suit all makes and models.

WHEEL BALANCING

The vibration caused by an unbalanced tyre is often thought to be a wheel alignment fault. Steering vibration normally experienced on the highway between 70 and 100 kilometres per hour can be because an unbalanced wheel makes the wheel rims shake. To rebalance a wheel, the rim is placed on a machine that spins and measures the points where weights need to be added, this process is repeated until the rim measures as close to 0 grams as possible, ensuring a smooth ride. A vehicle’s wheel alignment cannot cause a vibration; however, a damaged or buckled wheel rim, or worn or damaged steering and suspension can cause vibration. At Southern Cross Mechanical we have the equipment and knowledge to diagnose an underlying issue and carry out the required repair or simply perform a wheel balance if needed.

STEERING, SUSPENSION, SHOCK ABSORBERS & STRUTS

The steering and suspension is often overlooked and not given the required attention to maintain all components in good working order. These parts all wear and are under severe stress and pressure while driving. Many steering parts give no warning signs before failure, so it’s important that all steering components are checked during a service. The job of the shock absorbers and struts is to not only provide a comfortable ride for the passengers but to push the tyres down to the road surface to maximise the grip area and ensure consistent drive and steering in all conditions. Control arms, trailing arms, stabilizer arms and bushes maintain vehicle stability. Worn suspension will cause premature tyre wear, uneven handling and increase braking distance. Let us at Southern Cross Mechanical inspect and report any faults or signs of wear on your steering, suspension, shock and strut systems to keep your car in a safe, roadworthy condition.