Wheel Alignment

Sandy Blvd Tire & Auto Service's, Portland workshop specializes in all things car. We repair, renew, replace and revitalize almost anything on four wheels. We are specialists in our field and the logical choice for all your auto needs.

Call our Portland auto repair shop at (503)288-7041 for any of the following:

• Vehicle repair and servicing
• Towing and recovery
• Engine tuning
• Scheduled maintenance
• Diagnostics
• Inspections
• Diesel engines
• And much more

One of the many services we offer is wheel alignment. This is a simple, yet important aspect of car maintenance that can make a real difference to your driving experience. Failure to address improper alignment can result in excess or uneven tire wear, or the car pulling to one side and poor gas mileage.

Incorrect alignment can result in rapid, irregular tire wear, and can even affect the safety of the vehicle.

Sandy Blvd Tire & Auto Service uses computerized equipment capable of measuring all angles liable to affect your vehicles wheel alignment. It’s a straightforward process that doesn’t take long to inspect. Changes can be made right away, even while you wait.

If you choose to wait, so we offer some extra services for your convenience.

• Extended business hours
• After-hours vehicle collection and delivery
• Courtesy shuttle service, pickup and delivery
• Wi-Fi Access

What’s it all about?

Wheel alignment can be affected by hitting a static object, a hole in the road or by excessive wear to steering or suspension components. The alignment of wheels to the specifications set by the manufacturer is an important way to guarantee a smooth ride, and to save money by getting the most out of your tires.

The direction and angle at which each tire is set are extremely important. Wheel alignment, or 'tracking' involves checking the direction and angle against your manufacturers' specifications. These settings are described as toe, caster and camber.

"Toe" measures the front of the tire to decide if they are closer or further apart than the rear of the tire. Positive toe means the front of the tire is turned inwards, and negative means they are pointing out. Improper toe settings can make steering and braking difficult. This is because the tires will be pulling in different directions, instead of the same.

“Caster” is the angle of the forward or backward slope of a line drawn through the upper and lower steering pivot points when viewed directly from the side of the vehicle. When caster is not set correctly the car will often wander or not feel like it is tracking straight down the road. In extreme cases the steering wheel will not return easily after making a turn.

"Camber" is the inward or outward angle of the tire. Positive camber means the top of the tire tilts outwards, and negative camber is when it tilts inwards. Too much positive camber will wear the outside of the tire and too much negative will wear the inside. A mix of camber angles across the car can mean it pulls to one side or the other.

The ideal is to have the correct angle to wear the whole tire at once. It also ensures as much of the tire as possible touches the road. This is a safety issue and should not be ignored.

The correct angle of toe caster and and camber is prescribed by the vehicle manufacturer. Much depends on how the vehicle is set up, the type of steering, and wheels it has.

Sandy Blvd Tire & Auto Services ASE certified technicians have access to huge databases of vehicle information and can ensure your alignment is exactly as your manufacturer prescribes.

There are other elements of alignment called thrust angle, included angle and SAI (Steering Axis Inclination), all of which are taken care of at the time. These are minor, but important adjustments our equipment and technicians will take care of for you.

If you need expert assistance to keep your wheels and tires aligned, call Sandy Blvd Tire & Auto Services auto repair shop in Portland. We’ll take care of the rest. Call us at (503)288-7041.