The most common indications of misalignment are pulling to one side when driving, unexpected tyre wear, and/or an off-center steering wheel even when your car is oriented straight ahead. But similar symptoms may also be caused by other factors, sometimes more straightforward and sometimes not.

Road conditions may be the cause of steering pull. You might experience a pull when the tyres on one side ride slightly higher if the asphalt has grooves that are a little bit farther apart than your car’s axles. The car may deviate if the road has a noticeable rise in the middle as the tyres search for a level surface.

A pull that occurs during acceleration as a result of an imbalance in the power going to the wheels is known as torque steer. A calliper on one side sticking and not completely disengaging from the brake disc is likely the cause of a pull that only occurs during braking. The steering wheel pulling might also be brought on by a worn tyre or an incorrect tyre rotation.

If your steering wheel occasionally tugs in one way and then the other, poor alignment might not be the problem. Ball joints, strut bearings, or tie rods that have been deformed or worn may be to blame.

Atypical tyre wear may be caused by deteriorated shock absorbers, struts, bushings, or springs, as well as by towing large weights (all of which can also put your vehicle out of alignment). Driving on tyres that are imbalanced, overinflated, or underinflated can also result in uneven wear.

Wear on the steering or suspension components can result in an off-center steering wheel. A simple alignment won’t address the underlying problem.

One final common misunderstanding is that vibration when driving is frequently a sign of unbalanced tyres rather than poor alignment.

Your toe, camber, or caster angles will change if you lift or lower a car. Additionally, struts, shocks, ball joints, tie rods, bushings, and control arms can be repaired or replaced.