What is wheel alignment?
Tire alignment, also known as wheel alignment or toe adjustment, is the process of ensuring that the tire tread has an adequate—ideally perfect—contact surface with the road. By aligning the wheels, we ensure that the vehicle doesn’t pull to one side and that it maintains straight steering.
Why get your wheels aligned?
There are numerous advantages to driving a truck with properly aligned wheels. Here are a few of them:
Increased tire longevityProper wheel alignment prevents uneven or premature tire wear, extending the lifespan of your tires.
Reduced fuel costsPoor alignment increases ground friction, which can lead to higher fuel consumption.
Improved handling and road stabilityGood alignment ensures smoother and more stable driving, especially on long trips or in tough road conditions.
Less strain on the steering and suspension systemsReduced stress on mechanical components lowers the risk of wear and potential breakdowns.
Lower long-term maintenance expensesFewer early part replacements and less frequent corrective repairs help cut overall maintenance costs.
Greater safety for drivers and others on the road
A responsive and stable vehicle helps reduce the risk of road incidents.
When should you get your wheels aligned?
To prevent rather than cure, we recommend having your truck’s wheel alignment checked after the first 20,000 km and then as needed—especially at the beginning of spring, when roads may be damaged by winter weather and potholes. Even a slight misalignment can lead to uneven tire wear and increased fuel consumption, while also putting added strain on the vehicle’s suspension and steering systems.
There are a few signs that may indicate your truck needs a wheel alignment—symptoms, in other words. Ignoring these symptoms could compromise your safety and your vehicle’s performance.
Here are a few of them:
1. The truck pulls to the left or right2. Uneven tire wear3. Unusual steering wheel vibrations (Note: This could also mean an unbalanced tire)4. Reduced tire grip on the road5. Difficult or stiff steering
These are just a few examples of situations that should alert you to have your wheel alignment checked.
Heavy Truck Wheel Alignment: A Task Requiring High Precision
Aligning the wheels of a heavy-duty truck is a highly specialized operation, essential for ensuring the vehicle’s long-term performance and road safety. In a multi-axle vehicle, the technician must carefully monitor the alignment angles of each axle, taking into account the mechanical interaction between drive, steer, and tag axles.
This task must be performed only by qualified professionals working in a shop equipped with a wheel alignment bench specifically designed for heavy trucks. The alignment experts at GLOBOCAM Cornwall use the Hunter HawkEye XL system, a sophisticated diagnostic tool that adjusts alignment angles according to the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure optimal three-dimensional alignment.
This high-performance equipment is combined with advanced technologies such as optical (laser) or electronic (sensor-based) measurement, providing precise readings of key angles like toe, caster, and camber—crucial for ensuring safe and reliable vehicle handling in all conditions.
The system allows for extremely accurate and fast wheel alignment, ensuring efficient service and getting you back on the road quickly.
Conclusion
Never underestimate the importance of axle alignment on heavy trucks as part of a well-executed preventive maintenance plan. By using high-precision equipment and adhering to current technical standards, wheel alignment significantly enhances overall performance, safety, and operational profitability.
GLOBOCAM Cornwall has the specialized equipment needed to perform professional wheel alignments quickly and efficiently.
Contact us to learn more and book an appointment!
Why perform wheel alignment on a heavy truck?
What is wheel alignment?...
GLOBOCAM is proud to announce that it has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies following its first application. This list recognizes the excellence of Canadian-owned private companies, and each year hundreds of companies covet this prestigious title. GLOBOCAM is particularly honoured to be the first and only heavy-duty truck dealership group to receive this distinction.
This seal of excellence, awarded by Deloitte, recognizes GLOBOCAM’s performance in four pillars: strategy, culture and commitment, capacity and innovation, and governance and financial performance.
This is an important milestone in the history of the company, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024 and has continued its evolution this year by appointing a board of directors made up of recognized experts, who will help it write the next pages of its history
“Being recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies is an honour and a validation of our efforts in developing and executing our innovative strategic vision,” said Maxime Boyer, President of GLOBOCAM. “We are committed to building a sustainable, bold and humane future for our company and for the entire industry.”
About GLOBOCAM
Founded in Montreal in 1994, GLOBOCAM has become over the years the largest network of heavy truck dealers in Quebec. With a team of nearly 600 people in 10 dealerships, the family business offers the sale of new Freightliner, Western Star and Rizon trucks, the sale of used trucks of all brands, as well as the repair and complete maintenance of these vehicles. It also operates an extensive parts department and a financing component.
GLOBOCAM: Recipient of Canada’s Best Managed Companies Award
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