How to Check Rear Axle Alignment

To check rear axle alignment:

• Prepare your vehicle.
• Familiarize yourself with misalignment symptoms.
• Gather necessary tools.
• Accurately measure the axle alignment.
• Make precise adjustments to improve vehicle performance.

This process requires patience and attention to detail.

Identifying Misalignment Symptoms

To spot rear axle misalignment in your vehicle, look for these signs:

1. Your car pulls to one side even when you're steering straight. This indicates misalignment and is a safety concern.
2. Uneven tire wear is another sign. Misaligned axles cause tires to wear unevenly, with more wear on either the inside or outside edges.
3. Feeling vibrations in the steering wheel or the entire car suggests the rear axle isn't properly aligned, affecting the car's balance.
4. An off-center steering wheel while driving straight is a clear sign of misalignment. You shouldn't need to hold the steering wheel at an angle to drive straight.

Noticing these symptoms early can prevent more significant issues later. Paying attention to these signs is important for your vehicle's health and safety.

Necessary Tools and Equipment

To fix rear axle misalignment, you need specific tools.

First, get a good jack and jack stands to lift and hold your car safely.

You'll also need wrenches and sockets to adjust the axle bolts. Make sure to have a full set for different sizes.

A digital caliper or a ruler with inches and millimeters is important for accurate measurements.

An alignment tool for rear axles is necessary. Choose one that fits your car.

A laser alignment kit is helpful but optional. It makes measuring alignment easier and more accurate.

Having these tools ready will help you fix the alignment efficiently and safely.

Preparing Your Vehicle

To prepare your vehicle for a rear axle alignment, first find a flat surface to lift the car safely, like a garage floor or driveway. Make sure the vehicle's engine is off, it's in park (or in gear for a manual), and the parking brake is on.

Remove any heavy items from the trunk or back seat to keep the car's natural position.

Lift the rear end of the car with a floor jack, placing it under a stable point like the frame or a specified lift point from the vehicle's manual. Then, put jack stands under the car to hold it up. Check that the jack stands are on flat ground and can safely support the car's weight.

Shake the vehicle gently to make sure it's securely on the jack stands. This is important for safety and accurate alignment. Now, you're ready to check the alignment.

Measuring Axle Alignment

Start by finding the middle of your vehicle's back axle to check its alignment. This step is important to make sure your vehicle drives well and tires wear evenly. Here's how to do it:

1. Find a Flat Area: Park your vehicle on a flat surface. This helps avoid wrong measurements caused by slopes.
2. Mark the Middle: Hang a plumb bob from the back axle's center to mark its middle on the ground. This mark is important for accurate measurements.
3. Measure from a Fixed Point: Pick a fixed point above the front axle's center. Measure the distance from this point to the mark from the back axle. Do this on both sides of the vehicle.
4. Check Measurements: Look at the measurements from both sides. If they match, the axle is aligned. If not, the axle is misaligned.

Adjusting and Rechecking Alignment

To adjust a misaligned rear axle, follow these steps for better driving and tire wear:

1. Slightly loosen the axle's mounting bolts, but don't remove them. This allows for adjustment.
2. Use a pry bar to gently move the axle into the correct alignment, based on your previous measurements.
3. After adjusting, lightly retighten the bolts and check the alignment again using the initial method.
4. If the measurements confirm correct alignment, fully tighten the bolts as the manufacturer recommends.
5. Conduct a test drive to confirm smooth operation.

This process requires patience and precision for successful axle alignment adjustment.

Conclusion

After you know the signs, have your tools ready, and your car is set up, fixing the back wheels to line up right isn't too hard. Remember, being exact is key.

Be patient while measuring and making changes. Always double-check your work after adjusting to make sure everything lines up just right. Doing this helps your car run better and keeps your tires lasting longer.

Great job! Now you know how to keep your car driving smoothly and your tires in good shape.