ChatGPT Wheel balancing and alignment are critical procedures in maintaining the safety, performance, and longevity of vehicles. Here’s an overview of what each involves: Wheel Balancing: Purpose: Wheel balancing ensures that the weight of the wheel and tire assembly is evenly distributed around the axle. It prevents vibrations that can lead to uneven tire wear, steering instability, and discomfort for passengers. Procedure: Mounting: The wheel and tire assembly is mounted on a balancing machine. Measurement: The machine measures the imbalance by spinning the wheel and detecting weight variations. Correction: Small counterweights are applied to the rim to balance out any heavy spots detected during measurement. Verification: The wheel is spun again to verify that it is properly balanced. Adjustments are made as needed until it meets specifications. Signs that Wheel Balancing is Needed: Vibrations in the steering wheel or vehicle floorboard, especially at higher speeds. Uneven tire wear patterns, such as cupping or scalloping. Wheel Alignment: Purpose: Wheel alignment ensures that the angles of the wheels are set correctly according to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications. It optimizes vehicle handling, tire wear, fuel efficiency, and overall driving comfort. Types of Alignment Adjustments: Camber: Vertical angle of the wheels relative to the road surface. Negative camber: Top of the wheel tilts inward. Positive camber: Top of the wheel tilts outward. Toe: Angle of the wheels relative to each other when viewed from above. Toe-in: Front of the wheels point inward toward the vehicle centerline. Toe-out: Front of the wheels point outward away from the vehicle centerline. Caster: Angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side. Positive caster: Steering axis tilts toward the rear of the vehicle. Negative caster: Steering axis tilts toward the front of the vehicle. Procedure: Inspection: Technician inspects the current alignment settings using alignment equipment. Adjustment: Adjustments are made to the camber, toe, and caster angles as needed to align them with manufacturer specifications. Verification: Final measurements are taken to ensure that all alignment angles meet specified tolerances.