Balancing vs alignment: what’s the difference?
The short answer
Balancing stops a wheel wobbling as it spins. Alignment sets the angle the wheels point at. Different machines, different problems — and most cars need both.
Alignment: which way the wheels point
One wheel points slightly off-line (a pothole is enough). The car drifts to one side, the steering wheel sits crooked, and one edge of the tyre scrubs away (red).
A pothole or kerb can knock a wheel a few degrees off. You won’t see it — but your tyres and steering will.
Balancing: how smoothly they spin
The heavy spot (red) pulls the wheel off-centre every time it goes round — so the tyre hammers the road and you feel it in the steering wheel.
A heavier spot on the wheel makes it hop as it turns. A small weight on the rim fixes it.
Side by side
Balancing
- Fixes: a wheel wobbling as it spins
- You feel: a shaking steering wheel at speed
- Your tyres show: patchy, scalloped wear
- When: new tyres, repairs, every 10,000 km
Alignment
- Fixes: the angle the wheels point at
- You feel: the car pulling, or a crooked steering wheel
- Your tyres show: one edge worn down
- When: yearly, and after potholes or kerbs
Myth
Balancing and alignment are the same thing.
Fact
They’re done on different machines and fix different problems. Most cars need both — especially after new tyres.
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