Are there any vibrations coming from the wheel of your Ferrari or is the car pulling to one side with worn-out tires? If so, then you may need either wheel balancing or wheel alignment. While both of these sound like they serve a similar purpose, they actually fix two very distinct issues, and knowing which service your Ferrari needs can prevent you from having to deal with costly repairs and get you much smoother rides.
When you get behind the wheel of a Ferrari or any other high-performance vehicle, even the tiniest of movements, rattle or pull on the wheel affects the smoothness typical of such luxury vehicles. Suspension, tires and wheels are all components that contribute to Ferrari handling, and any problem with any of them could upset the balance in your vehicle. Here are the major differences between these two services and where you should take your Ferrari if you think it needs wheel services.
How Wheel Balancing Works
Wheel Balancing is the process of ensuring that the weight of the wheel and the tire is equally distributed. It’s important not to neglect the slightest variations in weight as this can either make your wheels wobble or vibrate at high speeds. Whenever a tire is fitted to a wheel, it is possible that the distribution of the tire on the wheel is not symmetrical. To rectify this, we add small weights at the rim to balance everything.
Some of the signs that you need wheel balancing are – vibration of the steering wheel at high speeds or when the car is on the highway, uneven wearing of the tires, and a noisy car. Balancing is mostly done when you have just fitted new tires or when you begin to experience those unusual vibrations. If not corrected, an unbalanced wheel will cause additional wear on the suspension and tires and will be more costly to repair in the future.
How Wheel Alignment Works
Aligning the wheels is a completely different service from balancing them. Wheel alignment is the process of aligning the wheels of your Ferrari with the angles that were set at the time of manufacturing the car. These angles determine the way your Ferrari handles, the wearing of the tires, and the way your car grips the road. The common signs that indicate that your vehicle needs wheel alignment include pulling towards one side when driving, steering wheel turned to the right or left even when you are driving straight, and uneven wearing of tires.
When to Get Each Service
- Wheel Balance: You should go for wheel balance if you have just changed your tires or wheels or if you feel shaking through the steering wheel while driving. It is also recommended to schedule a balance if you have not done so in the past 5,000 to 6,000 miles.
- Wheel Alignment: You should schedule an alignment if you have hit a pothole, a curb, or any object on the road since this will cause your alignment to be off. If you had your last alignment more than a year ago, it is high time to do it.
Oh, and by the way, if your Ferrari has not been to the shop for either of these services, it is wise to get both done the next time you go for routine maintenance.
Maintain Your Ferrari’s Wheel System With Wheel Services From Mark Douglas Motorworks
Many people may think that wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not important but they are actually very important for the overall performance and safety of your Ferrari. At Mark Douglas Motorworks, we have expertise in handling exotic and high-performance automobiles such as your Ferrari. We do not assume what is wrong—we use the best diagnostic tools in the market and we do not rush through the process.
If you find that your vehicle has issues with steering pull, vibration, or uneven tire wear, then you should bring it to our workshop so that our certified mechanics can check it. We will inform you if you need a wheel balance or an alignment or both. We are located in Mission Viejo and we serve drivers in and around Orange County, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Huntington Beach and Laguna Niguel, CA, with dealership quality service at unbeaten prices and conditions. Come to us for quality wheel service and continue to ride your Ferrari as it should.