Vehicle Services

Ask The Man Alignment & Steering FAQS

• What are the benefits of having my wheels aligned?

  Ultimately, proper alignment is a safety issue: cars need to drive straight on the road. It will also help to prevent uneven tire wear.

• When do I need a wheel alignment?

  Have it checked at least annually.

• Aren't shocks and struts kind of the same thing?

  Struts are generally larger than shocks. Shocks and struts keep the tire in contact with the road. Only air shocks support the weight of the vehicle, otherwise, springs or torsion bars support the weight of the vehicle.

• When I brake hard, my steering column shakes. That's okay, right?

  Definitely not normal, you may have a problem with your brake rotors.

• My suspension is making squeaky noises. How can I grease it up to make it stop?

  If your car is newer than twenty years old, it probably doesn’t have grease fittings. But we should definitely have a look to figure out what is going on.

• When I take my hands off the wheel, the car pulls to the left, what is the deal?

  Usually, this has to do with your tires. Rarely, this can be radial angulation, which means a bent frame, steering component or something else. We can have a look and let you know how to fix it.

• My steering wheel is stiff and feels like it's stuck - is it jammed or something?

  If you turn too sharply and then take your key out before straightening your tires, this can sometimes happen. The key can be hard to turn if the ignition is mounted onto the steering column. If that’s not the problem, bring it in to see us and we can help you figure out what’s going on.