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The term Wheel Alignment is the general description given to the service required to check and 
correct the many mechanical devices which go together to form the vehicles Steering and 
Suspension System.

The Steering and Suspension System along with the Chassis is a very dynamic and complex part
of the modern vehicle. Whilst a Geometry Alignment takes place with the vehicle stationery. 
Vehicle Geometry only comes to life when the vehicle is in motion and the many Steering and 
Suspension components are subjected to dynamic and physical forces. This is when Steering 
and Suspension systems do some very clever things, to help us defy the physical forces we 
subject them to.

So by changing the Wheel size and or the Springs and Shocks. The vehicles Ride Height, 
Roll Centre and Centre of Gravity may have changed. These are the three basics the 
manufacturers use when designing a vehicle's Steering and Suspension system. You will 
almost certainly have changed the Pivot Point within the Tyre contact patch and the Negative 
Offset, which is one of the features used in vehicle stability.

Taking the above into account it is most important that the Alignment Engineer understands 
how the vehicle has changed and it is set up in order you can get the best Tyre wear and 
handling from your new Chassis configuration.          
          

Vehicle Geometry Terminology Front & Rear Toe. 
This is the Angle of Toe In or Toe Out the Front and Rear 
Wheels are set to when the vehicle is stationary. This angle 
is set, so when the vehicle is travelling at an average speed 
and all dynamic forces from the vehicle come into play, the 
Wheels are forced into a parallel situation.

Front & Rear Camber.
Camber is used to create tension within the Steering System. 
It is also used to give the greater ability to carry a load. It is 
also used to get more or less grip when cornering and therefore 
used to control Understeer and Oversteer.

Caster Angle. 
This gives the vehicle straight line stability and can be used to 
stop a vehicle pulling to the left or right.

Why Fit Them
The designers of Cars always have compromise in this area. The ultimate 
requirement for the Manufacturer being comfort. So if you want your car to 
look better and handle better. You should consider Springs and Shocks.

What's Easiest
Fit a Spring Kit. This will lower the Car and make it look great. Spring Kits can appear
good value for money, but if you want the Car to continue to have good ride and handling 
qualities, go for a quality Spring. If you want to drop your Car onto it's belly you will 
probably have to fit modified Shocks as well.

What's Next
Go for uprated Shock Absorbers. The choice is endless, uprated Damping will improve cornering, this can be further improved with adjustable Damping, and then there's Adjustable Damping and Adjustable Ride Height. You can then of course go for Independent Compression and Rebound Springs.

What else is there to consider?
Stiffer Suspension means you'll feel all the bumps in the road more than ever, you'll love it but your passengers may not. It also means the Wheels (which may be bigger) will be further up in the Arches. So beware the Wheels do not foul in the Arches through suspension travel and the Front Wheels turn Lock to Lock OK. You will also have changed the vehicles Geometry, so it is most important to get it 4 Wheel Aligned.

Insurance
A suspension upgrade should not cost any more, but if you have also fitted new Wheels you are best advised to let your insurance company know.

Why Fit Them?
Aluminium Wheels will not only make your Car look great, they also offer a technical advantage,
they're lighter than Steel and this makes the suspension work better because of less unsprung 
weight. Also being bigger you will get a bigger Foot Print of Rubber on the road, therefore giving 
you more grip. 

What's Easiest
Going up one or two inches can usually be achieved without any problems.

What's Next
There are literally thousands of styles to choose from. But once you have taken into account, 
the correct Off Set, Stud Pattern, Wheel Dia. and ensured they fit within the Arches and allow the 
Wheels to turn lock to lock without fouling, your choice could be down to just a couple of Hundred.

What else is there to consider?
Your Budget! Remember you will also have to buy a set of Tyres. The bigger the Wheels the more
expensive the Tyres are going to be and if you want your new Tyres to last, it is critical you get the Car 4 Wheel Aligned. If you choose to go big, you may well have to modify the body work to
accommodate the larger diameter Wheel and Tyre package. Also remember if the overall diameter
of the Tyre is bigger your Speedo will give incorrect readings.

Insurance
Aluminium Wheels will be very attractive to others, so fit a Locking Wheel Nut Kit and get them insured.

What is there to consider?        
The Tyres are probably the most technically advanced product on the Car today, the Tyre 
manufacturers have and are still spending millions in research and development. 

Just listen to any Racing program and the conversations 
are dominated by Tyres.

The Pneumatic Tyre has many functions to perform including: -

• Supporting the load.
• Give Steering Control.
• To Transmit Acceleration.
• To Transmit Braking.
• To Producing Stability
• Providing Cushioning and some Suspension.
• Giving long Service Life.

Yet we want them to be as cheap as chips and last forever, without any maintenance.
When you get your new tyres fitted make sure you get your car 4 Wheel Aligned,
because if your new expensive Radial Tyres get a wear pattern through misalignment.
It's too late.

Insurance New Tyres will not effect your Insurance. But do remember the legal requirement. Each Tyre must have at least 1.6mm of Tread Depth across 75% of the width of the Tyre.