Wheel Balancing vs Alignment: What Is the Difference?

What is wheel balancing?

Balancing adds small counterweights at specific points around the rim so the wheel spins evenly. Michelin explains that an unbalanced wheel does more than shake. It bounces or wobbles slightly, adding stress on the tread, suspension and steering parts. Source: www.michelinman.com/auto/auto-tips-and-advice/tire-maintenan

Balancing is normally part of fitting a new tyre, since the tyre and wheel together need to spin true. Michelin says new tyres should always be balanced when mounted. Many fully fitted prices include balancing, which is a reminder to ask any shop whether it is included.

What is wheel alignment?

Alignment sets the angles of the wheels so they point where the car goes. When it is wrong, parts of the tyre work harder than others and wear faster.

The job is done with measuring equipment, followed by adjustment of the suspension settings.

Is tracking the same as alignment?

In everyday UK use, mostly yes, but garages differ. The RAC calls wheel alignment “or tracking” the same process. Some garages say tracking adjusts only the front wheels, while wheel alignment adjusts all four.

So when a garage says “tracking”, ask whether it means front wheels only or all four. Either way, the symptoms you notice are the same: a pull, an off-centre wheel or uneven wear.

What is the difference between balancing and alignment?

Michelin puts it simply: a vehicle can be perfectly aligned but still vibrate due to imbalance, and a balanced wheel can still wear unevenly if alignment is wrong.

Which should I do after fitting new tyres?

Balancing is the job tied to fitting. A new tyre needs to be balanced on its wheel. Alignment is needed only if the car pulls, the steering is off-centre, or the old tyres wore unevenly.

If your old tyres wore on one edge, ask for an alignment check before the new ones go on. Otherwise new rubber will wear the same way.

Does alignment fix vibration?

No. Vibration at certain speeds points to balance. Michelin says the most common sign of an unbalanced wheel is vibration through the steering wheel or floor, often at motorway speeds, and that it can come and go as speed changes.

However, vibration has other causes, such as a bent wheel or a worn suspension part. Michelin notes that worn shocks can also cause the cupped wear pattern. If balancing does not cure it, have the wheels and suspension inspected.

How often should I balance or align?

There is no fixed interval for balancing. Act on symptoms: vibration for balancing; pulling, off-centre steering or uneven wear for alignment. Also check after any hard impact. Michelin says balance weights can shift or fall off over time, so ask for a check if vibration develops between tyre changes. Michelin calls an annual alignment check a reasonable baseline. Source: www.michelinman.com/auto/auto-tips-and-advice/tire-maintenan

Look at your tyres each month, as TyreSafe advises. An even wear pattern is a good sign. Uneven wear is a clue.

Do potholes affect balance or alignment?

Both can be affected. A hard hit can shift suspension geometry (alignment) or knock a weight off or bend a wheel (balance). Michelin lists vibration, pulling and steering instability as reasons to check both.

Which problem do drivers in Gorton and east Manchester have?

If you are not sure, describe the symptom. The right fix follows from it. A shake at 50mph is a different problem from a pull on a straight road.

Wheel balancing and alignment both appear as topics in Google reviews of Hyde Road Wheels & Tyres in Gorton. For alignment, see our wheel alignment service in Manchester. We are open Monday to Friday 9:00 to 17:30 and Saturday 9:00 to 16:30, closed on Sunday.

Know which you need: what does it cost?

Know which you need? See what wheel alignment costs. For the telltale signs of a pull, read how to tell if your wheels need aligning.