Wheel alignment stand - how to choose it correctly?

Many car drivers simply write off the wheels and do not do them periodically, repeating "this is not even a technical fault". Yes, it is still possible to operate a car or other vehicle with poor wheel alignment, but comfort is no longer available with such a vehicle. Safety, driving comfort, fuel economy, tire life - all of these aspects are very much determined by proper wheel alignment

Wheel geometry, also known as wheel alignment, is very important to both you and those around you, as it all leads to overall road help. Improper wheel alignment worsens the direction of the car when we brake hard, which we have probably all felt and would not want to experience again. There are far more disadvantages, so we all have to make sure that the vehicles in operation are in perfect order.

Periodic wheel geometry benefits the vehicle owner. Lower driving resistance reduces fuel consumption. Also, due to the reduced friction with the road surface, the service life of the tires increases, as well as the tires wear evenly and the car's chassis wears less, as the chassis assemblies installed here are not loaded.

You often have to see photos online as the wheel alignment is done just at home. It really isn’t anything complicated and there’s nothing to hide here. This may require a durable thread that is clearly visible, and all in all, the only tool to check the alignment of your car’s wheels. The procedure is not complicated, just align the thread with the front wheel end of the front axle and the other end of the thread with the rear wheel end of the rear axle. Or you can do this by pulling the thread evenly away from the wheels. This should be done, for example, by 5 cm away from the center hole, both the rear axle wheel and the front axle wheel. And then you measure the distances from one rim edge and the other rim edge, if the distances are not different, all is well. If there is no gap anywhere and the thread is not bent, it means that the alignment is normal, but if the opposite is true, you need to make the wheel geometry as soon as possible.

Remember, this way you can check wheel geometry at home, but it’s still not as accurate as a wheel geometry check with a 3D wheel alignment stand (see below for 3D wheel alignment stands) and it’s better to entrust this work to professional car mechanics. There are exceptions - often such wheel geometry is urgently performed in motorsport when there are no other conditions or the car had an incident on the track.

When do you need to wheel the car?

The basic rules for when performing wheel geometry are as follows:

• Periodically, every 15 - 20 thousand kilometers

• Feeling that there is traction to the side when driving straight

• Feeling that the car is turning when braking

• When the tires wear unevenly

• Feeling unstable while driving on the road

• The steering wheel is difficult or does not return to its original position

• After a very strong impact on a pit or other obstacle

• When replacing car suspension parts

• After changing tires

• After fitting new tires

• When the car has recently had an accident

• Noticeably increased fuel consumption

• If the radius of the car when turning in one direction and the other is not the same

• After refitting the shock absorber springs from higher to lower and vice versa

• By inserting new inserts under the car springs

• After the following suspension repair works: replacement of the silencer block; replacement of ball supports; steering linkage replacement; steering gear and steering gear replacement; pendulum fork replacement; suspension arm replacement

• Changing springs, struts, shock absorbers to another type (because changing greases to gas (or vice versa) also changes the angle of wheel alignment

After properly aligning the wheels, you will notice a difference on the road. After proper alignment, the car has the following features: maximum tire life, better vehicle stability, maneuverability and ease of handling, lower fuel consumption, good rolling and easy handling

What are confluence, boiling and castering?

Wheel alignment is the distance between the rear edges of the wheels on the same axle, minus the distance between the front edges. If the result of the alignment is equal to "0", the alignment is ideal. Alternatively, the geometry of the wheels can be explained as the angle between the direction of movement and the plane of rotation of the wheels.

Wheel deflection is the angle between the vertical and the plane of rotation of the wheels of the vehicle, which is considered negative if the wheels are facing inwards or positive if the wheels are facing outwards. Zero rolling ensures minimal tire wear and a corresponding increase in service life. And negative boiling improves cornering stability.

Castor - the angle between the vertical and the projection of the axis of rotation of the wheel in the longitudinal plane of the car. Longitudinal tilt inclWith 3D wheel alignment stands, the data is more accurate and work more reliable because the 3D stand targets that are placed on the car’s wheels are impact resistant and do not contain electronic components that could fail and provide erroneous data.

It is also cheaper to operate. Although 3D alignment stands are more expensive than CCD alignment stands, CCD stands contain more perishable parts, the stand does not need to be calibrated periodically, resulting in less spending in the future, savings, and a better price for your customers.

The 3D technology itself is much more advanced, as the 3D stands have higher-resolution, more reliable and more accurate auto-adaptive cameras. Smaller, more workable and more secure targets. The data is also more accurate because it reduces the likelihood of human error.

5D wheel alignment stands are advanced 5D technology, but the stands are similar to 3D wheel alignment stands, but the results are measured by 5 cameras. Because data is scanned with more cameras, they are even more accurate and even faster to deliver. The data on the change in wheel angle is read more accurately. However, such stands are not the most popular not only in Lithuania, but also in other European countries.

Non-contact wheel alignment stands are a system that can ideally measure the geometry parameters of a car's wheels without any component touching the rim itself. Laser and camera systems ensure that the rim is not damaged, and at the same time save time by eliminating the need to disassemble and reassemble the rims.

Advantages of contactless wheel alignment stands compared to CCD, 3D or 5D alignment stands:

• No compensation work is required

• Vehicle data is read immediately with laser technology

• Easy operation

• No need to adjust clamps and dots

• There is no lifting height limit

• No contact with the rims is required to measure the data

• Faster wheel alignment

• Real-time measurement results using laser technology

• Data is measured with ideal accuracy

• The car's rims remain scratched after improper work with other stands

What do you need to know about wheel alignment services?

Wheel geometry checks and adjustments are carried out quickly enough. Typically, wheel alignment work is performed up to an hour, depending on the initial results obtained. Also, the rates for this service are not high compared to other car repair services. On average, the performance of this service in Lithuania costs from 20 to 30 euros, if the wheel alignment is performed on time and properly. However, you must recommend that your customers carry out wheel alignment on a regular basis, at least once a year.

The service itself will not require much additional equipment. In addition to the wheel alignment stand, you will also need: a four-column lift (wheel alignment is also possible on the "pit"), a convenient work lamp, a tool kit, an induction heater if the suspension parts are not easily unscrewed.

How to choose the right wheel alignment stand?

One of the most important criteria is the database that the wheel alignment stand has in the software. It is also important how often the database is updated, as new cars are released to the market every day, so in order to keep up with the market, it is essential that the aggregation stand has a constantly updated database.

Evaluate what cars you service because you know it best. What kind of cars you service most often will help you evaluate what kind of functionality the booth needs. Also evaluate in general what kind of vehicle fleet you work with, as car and truck alignment stands are very different. These are different stands, different grippers, construction, database.

Wheel alignment stand software is especially important as it will determine the efficiency of your work in providing service to the customer. Software, with convenient and intuitive management, will make your work day much easier. Another nuance, if it will be difficult to work with the stand, you will generally avoid working with it and thus it will pay off in the long run. Choose an assembly stand where you will be constantly exhibited with photos of the work sequence and you will receive on-screen instructions for each step.

Evaluate where you will keep the wheel alignment stand and what type you need. Lifts may be required for various assembly stands, and pits may be sufficient for some. Evaluate the available workspace, as different wheel alignment stands have different requirements. There is a need to leave more space for stationary stands, as even a few meters must be left from the lift to the wheel alignment stand.

Another important criterion is the speed of work. As mentioned, CCD stands are slower and contactless wheel alignment is the fastest. 3D wheel alignment stands are the most widely used because their work procedure is fast and accurate,