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    • Home
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • Wolfpen Auto Service
      • AC Service
      • ADAS Calibration
      • Alignments
      • Alternator and Battery
      • Brake Service and Repair
      • Check Engine Light
      • Clutch Replacement
      • Dealer Service Intervals
      • Diagnostic Services
      • Engine Cooling System
      • Engine Repair
      • Lighting and Bulbs
      • Oil and Fluid Changes
      • Preventative Maintenance
      • Suspension and Steering
      • Tire Mounting and Balance
      • Transmission Diagnostics
      • Trip Inspections
    • Brands
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      • BMW
      • Mercedes Benz
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      • Other Brands
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      • About Wolfpen
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    • Events
    • On Social Media
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    • The Wolfpen Blog
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Services
    • Wolfpen Auto Service
    • AC Service
    • ADAS Calibration
    • Alignments
    • Alternator and Battery
    • Brake Service and Repair
    • Check Engine Light
    • Clutch Replacement
    • Dealer Service Intervals
    • Diagnostic Services
    • Engine Cooling System
    • Engine Repair
    • Lighting and Bulbs
    • Oil and Fluid Changes
    • Preventative Maintenance
    • Suspension and Steering
    • Tire Mounting and Balance
    • Transmission Diagnostics
    • Trip Inspections
  • Brands
    • Audi
    • BMW
    • Mercedes Benz
    • Porsche
    • Volkswagen
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  • About
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Suspension Alignments at Wolfpen

2002 BMW M5 E39 generation alignment at Wolfpen German auto repair Roswell Georgia

From European SUVs to Sports Cars, Our In-Ground Alignment Rack Can Handle It

Our Hunter Hawkeye in-ground alignment rack is the best system currently offered for suspension and wheel alignments, both factory alignments and custom setups. 

BMW X7 M60 alignment at Wolfpen German auto repair Roswell Georgia

One of the Easiest Ways to Maintain Your Vehicle

When it comes to maintaining the performance and longevity of European cars and SUVs, few services are as crucial as suspension alignments. Proper suspension alignment is essential for ensuring optimal handling balance, enhanced comfort, and prolonged tire life. Suspension alignments are especially important for European vehicles, and there are obvious signs that your car may need an alignment.

Factory trained Porsche automotive technician performing suspension alignment on Porsche 718 Boxstern

Proper Suspension Alignment is Critical

The basics of a suspension alignment are simple: an alignment involves adjusting the angles of the wheels to ensure they are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. A proper suspension alignment contributes to a vehicle’s handling, tire wear, and overall driving experience. 

The 3 angles that are adjusted during a Suspension Alignment

1. Camber:

This is the angle of the wheels in relation to the vertical axis of the vehicle. If the top of the wheel leans inward, your car has negative camber; if it leans outward, it has positive camber. Ideally, your wheels should have a slight negative camber, which improves cornering performance.

2. Toe:

This refers to whether the front of the wheels is pointed inward or outward. If the front of the tires points toward each other, that is known as "toe-in;” if they point away from each other, it's called "toe-out." Proper toe alignment is crucial for straight-line stability and even tire wear.

3. Caster:

This is the angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side of the vehicle. A positive caster angle helps improve straight-line stability and self-centering while also making turn-in easier, while a negative caster angle can lead to poor handling. The only real downside of positive caster is more off-center steering effort.

Importance of Suspension Alignment and Effect on Handling

Handling Balance

Steering Response

Steering Response

Porsche 718 GT4 in German auto shop Wolfpen Roswell Georgia

Handling balance refers to how well a vehicle responds to driver inputs during cornering and maneuvering. European cars and SUVs are often engineered with precise handling characteristics to enhance the driving experience. An improper suspension alignment can lead to uneven weight distribution, resulting in the following negative characteristics:

Steering Response

Steering Response

Steering Response

Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive series at Wolfpen German auto repair in Roswell, Georgia

Misaligned wheels can cause your vehicle to feel unresponsive or vague when steering. This lack of feedback can make driving less enjoyable and compromise your control over the vehicle.

Stability

Stability

Stability

Porsche Macan GTS outside Wolfpen European automotive maintenance and repair in Roswell, GA

Proper alignment ensures that all four tires maintain contact with the road, providing better stability during high-speed driving or road maneuvers. A vehicle that is misaligned may feel floaty or unstable, particularly on curves.

Body Roll

Stability

Stability

1993 Porsche 911 964 generation manual transmission at Wolfpen German auto repair in Roswell, GA

Suspension alignment impacts a vehicle’s body roll while cornering. If the alignment is off, the car may experience excessive roll, leading to a sensation of "leaning" during turns, which impacts driver confidence and comfort.

How Suspension Alignment Affects Tire Wear

Stack of performance tires at Wolfpen European automotive repair in Roswell Georgia

Regular suspension alignment plays a vital role in maximizing the lifespan of your tires. Misaligned wheels can lead to uneven tire wear, resulting in tire problems such as

Edge Wear:

When tires are misaligned, one side of the tire may wear down faster than the other. For instance, if the wheels have too much toe-in, the inner edges of the tires can wear more quickly. Most people don’t see the inside shoulder of their tires very often, and they might not know the tires are wearing excessively until they fail. This is a common cause of rapid tire depressurization or blow outs.

Center Wear:

If the tire pressure is too high, it can lead to excess wear in the center of the tire. Proper alignment, along with correct tire pressure, ensures even wear across the entire tire surface. When a tire wears too much in the center, it can ruin a set of tires far faster than normal tire wear as well as lead to negative safety issues such as hydroplaning.

Increase in Pneumatic Drag:

Misaligned tires can create additional rolling resistance, leading to reduced fuel efficiency and increased wear. When tires are not properly aligned, they encounter more road friction, which can contribute to quicker wear and tear. With fuel economy being a top priority for many consumers, especially in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, pneumatic drag can offset fuel economy gains and performance.

Most importantly, consistent and proactive suspension alignments can extend the life of your tires by thousands of miles, leading to reduced costs, improved performance, and enhanced safety. While we love to see our customers at Wolfpen in Roswell, Georgia, we don’t want you to come in and spend money when you don’t have to!

Signs Your Vehicle May Need a Suspension Alignment

Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series wheel and tire at Wolfpen German auto repair and maintenance

Uneven Tire Wear:

If you notice uneven wear patterns on your tires, it’s a clear sign that your vehicle may be misaligned. Be sure to check both the outside and inside shoulders of the tire since the inside tire shoulders are the most difficult to see and often go unnoticed.

2002 E39 BMW M5 on Hunter alignment system at Wolfpen German auto repair and maintenance Roswell, GA

Vehicle Pulling to One Side:

If your car drifts or pulls to the left or right while driving on a straight road, this could indicate misalignment. Be aware that the crowning of some roads can cause this naturally, so it’s best to test your car's alignment in the center lane of a larger road or highway.

Interior 997 Porsche 911 Turbo manual outside Wolfpen Euro auto repair and maintenance in Roswell

Vehicle Steering Wheel Off-Center:

If your steering wheel is not centered while driving straight, it might be a sign that your alignment is off. This can lead to increased tire wear as well as be a safety issue over time.

Mercedes G63 interior and steering wheel inside Wolfpen German auto repair and maintenance

Increased Steering Sensitivity or Steering Vibrations:

If your vehicle feels overly sensitive or unstable, an alignment check may be necessary. Pay particular attention to a steering wheel that vibrates or shimmies when you’re not touching it, and have one of our automotive technicians take it for a test drive.

How Often Should I Get an Alignment?

Hunter alignment system in ground alignment rack at Wolfpen German automotive repair in Roswell GA

See Wolfpen in Roswell, GA for Your Alignments

European car manufacturers typically recommend checking alignment every 10,000 to 12,000 miles, but it’s wise to have the alignment checked whenever you replace tires or notice any handling issues. If you frequently drive on rough roads or over speed bumps, you might want to get your suspension alignment checked more often. Something as simple as hopping a curb to go tailgating at a college football game could misalign your suspension, which could get worse over time. If you have any doubts about your suspension alignment, stop by Wolfpen in Roswell, Georgia and have one of our automotive technicians check it. It could save you a lot of money down the road.

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Wolfpen | European Auto Repair

670 Houze Way Suite F, Roswell GA 30076

678-535-3180

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