Wheel Balancing VS Wheel Alignment: Differences and Importance

In the field of automobile maintenance, wheel balancing and wheel alignment are two important links that can not be ignored. The owner should regularly check the balance and positioning of the vehicle's wheels to ensure safety, performance and service life of the tires. Although the two differ in concept, function and detection and maintenance methods, they work together to ensure the normal operation and safe driving of the car. Now let's learn more about the differences and connections between wheel balancing vs wheel alignment.

Definition of Wheel Balancing VS Wheel Alignment

In this section, the definition of wheel balancing vs wheel alignment will be clearly illustrated, together with the importance, characteristics and some hints to determine whether there is a problem with your car by searching for wheel balancing vs wheel alignment.

Ensures smooth running: wheel balancing

Wheel balancing ensures that the wheel can maintain an even weight distribution when rotating, avoiding abnormal vibration and imbalance. When the tire and rim are assembled, the weight distribution of the tire may be uneven due to manufacturing errors, uneven wear or repair. This imbalance will cause vibration when the wheel rotates at high speed, which not only affects driving comfort, but also may accelerate tire and suspension wear, and even affect the handling of the vehicle.

For example, a small lead lump may be attached to the wheel after day-by-day driving, which may cause an imbalance of the wheels. And this imbalance will then create centrifugal force as the wheels spin, which will increase sharply with the increase in speed and lead to danger.

The abnormal vibration of the vehicle while driving is the most common manifestation of wheel imbalance. When the speed reaches a certain level, usually around 60-80 km/h, the owner may feel the vibration of the steering wheel or seat. This vibration may be a slight tremor or a more pronounced tremor. Vibrations can also be transmitted to other parts of the vehicle, such as the body or pedals. If the wheel is severely unbalanced, it may also lead to uneven tire wear, with one side of the tread wearing more severe than the other.

Balanced tires help maintain the stability and handling of the vehicle, especially at high speeds, reducing the risk of loss of control due to vibration. Moreover, unbalanced tires will accelerate wear risk, especially at the tread edge. Last but not least, long-term unbalanced tires can put an additional burden on the suspension system, leading to premature wear and even damage to the suspension components.

Ensures accurate control: wheel alignment

As for wheel alignment, the four wheels of the vehicle are precisely angled to ensure that they maintain the correct geometric relationship with the ground and the body. These angles include front wheel beam Angle, camber Angle, kingpin rear Angle and internal Angle, etc., which together determine the vehicle's driving trajectory, steering performance and stability.

During the long-term use of a vehicle, due to collision, daily driving on uneven roads or aging suspension system, the angle of the wheel may change, resulting in vehicle deviation, steering wheel error, abnormal tire wear and other related problems. The purpose of wheel alignment is to adjust these angles and restore the original design performance of the vehicle.

Wheel alignment usually involves the following steps. First, the technician will conduct a preliminary inspection of the vehicle, including tire wear, suspension system. Then, using a professional four-wheel locator, the technician will accurately measure the angle data of the wheel. Based on the measurement results, the technician will adjust the relevant components of the suspension system, such as adjusting the steering rod, shock absorber base, etc., to achieve the ideal angle setting. After the adjustment is complete, wheel alignment will be carried out again to ensure that all angles are in line with the standard.

Correct wheel alignment can ensure that the vehicle will not run off when driving in a straight line and improve driving safety. Meanwhile, the adjusted wheel angle reduces steering resistance, making the steering wheel more responsive and improving handling.

When We Need Wheel Balancing VS Wheel Alignment

After understanding some basic concepts, when exactly do we need to use wheel balancing and wheel alignment?

When we need wheel balancing

Most frequently, when our car is installed with new tires, there is a need for wheel balancing. This is because there may be a small weight difference between the tire and the hub during the manufacturing process, even a small imbalance can cause vibration as the vehicle travels faster. For example, when driving at high speeds, this imbalance can cause the steering wheel to shake.

Or if the vehicle is on the way driving, especially at a specific speed (such as 80-100 km/h), the steering wheel or the body appears to have regular vibration. This may be caused by the uneven tire wear, as the wheel hub is hit (such as a pothole) to destroy the balance of the tire, you need to carry out wheel balancing operation.

After replacing the tire valve or installing the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), at this time, we also need to check for wheel balancing. Because these operations may change the weight distribution of the tire and hub combination, the wheel needs to be re-balanced to ensure the smooth running of the vehicle.

When we need wheel alignment

First of all, the vehicle needs wheel alignment after a collision. Even if the collision does not appear to be serious, it may have changed the geometry of the vehicle's suspension system, which affects the positioning angle of the wheels. For example, it may lead to changes in the front bundle angle, camber angle or positioning angle of the rear wheel, which will cause the vehicle to run off (the vehicle automatically deviates to one side when driving), abnormal tire wear (such as serious inside or outside wear).

Also, when the suspension parts such as shock absorbers, ball heads, and control arms are replaced, the installation of the new parts may be slightly different from the original position, which will then affect the positioning of the wheel. For example, if the new shock absorber is installed at a slightly incorrect angle, it may change the camber of the wheel, resulting in abnormal contact between the tire and the ground, requiring wheel alignment to adjust.

Last but not least, if the tire has unilateral wear (severe inside or outside wear), jagged wear or uneven wear, this is often a signal of inaccurate wheel alignment.

How to Operate Wheel Balancing VS Wheel Alignment

The process of operating wheel balancing usually includes the following steps.

To begin with, a special machine is usually used to detect wheel balancing. The technician will lift the vehicle and remove the tires that need to be balanced. Then, it is necessary to install a balancing block. Using a professional tire balancing machine, the technician will detect the imbalance of the tire, and attach the corresponding weight of the balance block on the inside or outside of the rim to compensate for the unbalanced weight. After the balance adjustment is completed, the tires are reinstalled to the vehicle and a final check is made to ensure that there are no loosens or anomalies.

Distinction and connection: wheel balancing vs wheel alignment

Distinction

First, wheel balancing is mainly concerned with the uniformity of weight distribution of the wheel itself, which is adjusted in the circular direction of the wheel. While wheel alignment adjusts the angular relationship between the wheel and the overall vehicle, involving multiple systems such as vehicle suspension and steering.

Second, wheel unbalance mainly affects the vibration of the vehicle and the local wear of the tire. The inaccurate wheel alignment affects the linear driving performance of the vehicle, the handling ability and the overall wear pattern of the tire.

Third, wheel balancing may need to be checked more frequently, especially after a tire change, repair, or wheel impact. The inspection frequency of wheel alignment is relatively low, usually when the vehicle is traveling a certain distance (such as 1-20,000 kilometers) or when the vehicle is found to have abnormal phenomena such as deviation. Wheel balancing is usually done when a tire is replaced, repaired, or a vibration problem is found; wheel alignment is recommended to be checked and adjusted after a vehicle crash, suspension repair or replacement, and regular maintenance.

At all, wheel balancing mainly solves the vibration problem when the tire rotates, while wheel alignment focuses on the geometric relationship between the wheel and the body to ensure the stability and handling of the vehicle.

Connection

Although their emphasis is different, wheel balancing and wheel alignment are designed to improve vehicle performance, safety and service life. Good wheel balancing helps to reduce the burden on the suspension system, while proper wheel alignment ensures that the tires work at their best. Furthermore, wheel balancing and wheel alignment can improve a vehicle's fuel economy. When the wheels are well balanced and positioned, the vehicle's driving resistance is reduced, and the engine does not need to output too much power to overcome the additional resistance caused by adverse factors, thereby reducing fuel consumption. At the same time, the vehicle's handling will also be greatly improved, and the driving experience becomes more comfortable.

Final Verdict

Wheel balancing vs wheel alignment, although they sound similar, both of which play very different roles in vehicle operation and maintenance. Understanding and paying attention to them can not only enhance your driving experience, but also effectively extend the service life of your vehicle and ensure driving safety