Alignment Service

Alignment Service at Stanley Ford McGregor

A wheel alignment can help keep your Ford riding smoothly and ensure longer lasting tires. Get an alignment or have it checked at Stanley Ford McGregor. We provide service on all Ford models, from the famous Ford F-150 to the Ford EcoSport for all our customers in McGregor, Waco and Killeen. You have a lot riding on your wheels with the safety and security of you as the driver and any of your passengers depending on the reliability of your vehicle. Just as oil changes are the keys to extending the life of your car, truck, or SUV, the condition of your tires and the alignment of your vehicle’s wheels are key factors to the life of your tires and safety on the road. To keep you safe when you drive around Texas, come to Stanley Ford McGregor to have your alignment checked.

Service Specials

Schedule Service

What is Alignment?

Wheel alignment is how your wheels contact the road. If they touch at irregular angles, they can cause problems with steering and how smooth your vehicle rides. Your wheel alignment can be misaligned when you have accidents, when you strike a curb, when you hit deep potholes or large bumps.
If alignment is off, your vehicle handles and rides the road differently. It may cause tread on your tires to wear unevenly so you need to have tires replaced more often. Alignment is fixed by adjusting your vehicle’s suspension. When the suspension is adjusted properly, the wheels contact the road at the correct angles so wear on your tires is normal.

Why Wheel Alignment is Critical

Wheel alignment is important to the overall performance of your Ford. It is the angle of the tires to the road and how the suspension system is set. An alignment ensures all four tires are meeting the pavement the way they should.
If a vehicle doesn’t have proper alignment, it may vibrate when you drive. You’ll notice the vehicle pulls to one side when you drive even if you’re driving in a straight line. You may also see tread wear on your tires sooner than normal or in one area more than in others.

Symptoms of Misalignment

Your wheels may be out of alignment if you notice any of the following problems:

• Tread on tire is worn unevenly
• When driving straight, your wheels want to turn to one side or the other
• Steering pulls to one side or the other
• Vehicle shakes or vibrates

If your vehicle is doing any of the above, you may have an alignment issue. You will want to schedule an alignment service at Stanley Ford McGregor, so we can properly align your wheels and get you back on the road in good time.

Checking Alignment

When you bring your Ford to Stanley Ford McGregor, the service department will use advanced equipment to test the alignment of your vehicle. They look at the camber, toe and caster to ensure the tires and suspension system are in place.
The camber is tested by checking the tires from the front of the vehicle. If they tilt outward or inward, it means the camber is out of alignment. It can happen when you’re in a collision or when the ball joints or wheel bearings need to be replaced. Visually, the outside or inside of the tire will wear faster than the center of the tire.
The toe alignment is checked as well, which is how the tires look from above. They may turn into each other or out away from each other. One side of the tire may be smooth while the other side will have sharp edges. A misalignment often comes from not keeping tires inflated properly or not getting them rotated.
The caster is also checked, which is the angle of the steering axis. It can be seen from the side of the vehicle. Proper caster alignment is necessary for stability and cornering with steering.
The service technician may balance your tires while doing an alignment or a rotation. The tires are placed on a machine which tells where more weight is needed to get them back in balance. Tire rotation, wheel alignment and tire balancing are all part of regular maintenance and care for your Ford. It’s also important to keep the tires inflated correctly for longer wear.

What Occurs in an Alignment Service?

When you bring your vehicle to Stanley Ford McGregor, our service team will inspect the alignment for problems using tools to help diagnose potential issues. They will look at the wheels from different angles using special equipment that tests alignment.
First, they will check the camber from the front of the vehicle to see if the wheels tilt in or out. If there is a tilt present, the camber is misaligned, which can occur if there is damage or excessive wear to the bearings or ball joint. The tires can wear more in the center with this kind of alignment issue.
Next, the toe is checked, which determines if the wheels are angled outward or inward from above the vehicle. If the wear pattern on the tires is sharp on one side and smooth on the other, this can mean that the tires have not been inflated improperly or not rotated according to recommendations.
Finally, the caster is tested to check the angle of the steering axis, which is inspected from the side of the vehicle. Caster alignment allows proper cornering and turning and smoother steering.