Wheel Alignment vs. Wheel Balancing: What's the Difference?

Wheel Alignment & Wheel Balancing Difference

We are often confused with similar looking concepts when we are not in the said domain. But that’s not a problem; this is the way we humans generally perceive things. Broadly, the general idea of wheel alignment and balancing are often misunderstood to be the same, but the fact is that they are two completely different things. In simple desi terms, they are as distinct as ‘pani puri’ and ‘bhel puri’. So what is the actual dissimilarity between the two? Nope, we are not getting into the dissection of these appetising delicacies. Instead, to figure out the difference between wheel alignment and wheel balancing. Now let’s try to find out the difference between the two along with some technical insights.

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Wheel Alignment

The concept of wheel alignment simply refers to modifying the geometry of the wheels, which could get impaired due to poor suspension. This may happen when your car hits a grave deep pothole or it meets with an accident or when you put together a new set of tyres in your car. Wheel alignment corrects the angle of the wheels so that your car steers in the right direction while driving. Not to forget, the right alignment of the wheels extends the life of the tyres and prevents them from premature wearing.

Wheel alignment can be fixed by three methods: camber, toe and caster alignment.

#1 Camber Alignment

#2 Toe Alignment

#3 Caster Alignment

Even if one can diagnose and solve small alignment issues at home, for major problems, you are always suggested to take the help of a professional.

Wheel Balancing

Now, on the contrary, wheel balancing is the method of maintaining the perfect balance between the tyre and rim for seamless distribution of mass. If there is an imbalance within the wheels, the driver feels vibrations on the steering and on the seats at a certain speed on the highway. Unevenness in a tyre or a rim could take the wheel out of balance. Without the correct wheel balance, the tyres and wheels cannot go round perfectly, and will result in uneven wear of tyres.

This can be fixed by computerised equipment. The device checks the heavy spots on the tyre and puts appropriate lead weight on the opposite side of the heavy spot. Here again, professional help is recommended.

Wheel balancing vs wheel alignment are two sides of a coin i.e. different but closely related (remember ‘pani puri’ and ‘bhel puri’) and has to be dealt seriously and separately, although the consequences could be the same– early wearing of tyres. Every car rolling out of the manufacturing facility comes with factory settings but unfortunately, due to our poor infrastructural conditions and other factors, these settings get affected very frequently. Therefore, wheel alignment and wheel balancing check should be done periodically for a safer ride.

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(Camber, Toe & Caster Alignment Image Courtsey: Bridgestone Tyres)