2007-03-23 05:57:15 · 7 answers · asked by Al A 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
A two wheel alignment will align your front wheels, whereas a four wheel alignment will align all four of your wheels. A four wheel alignment is usually not necessary on a truck/big suv that has a solid rear axle - unless the vehicle has been in an accident and it may pick up on a bent axle/frame/etc where the rear axle is out of alignment and will cause the vehicle to dogtrack.
When shops perform a two wheel alignment on a vehicle with a solid rear axle - to perform it correctly they should put the alignment heads on the rear wheels as well as this will align the front wheels with the rear wheels - which will make the vehicle handle much better.
On a vehicle with 4 wheel independant suspension (most cars/vans/small SUV's) - to do a proper wheel alignment they must perform a 4 wheel alignment and adjust both toe and camber on the back wheels and toe/camber/caster on the front wheels. This will allow the vehicle to handle and steer correctly and the steering wheel should be straight when the front wheels are straight.
If you have a wheel alignment performed and the vehicle pulls in either direction on a flat road - please remember that most roads have a crown or slant on them, so that there can be a slight pull that way, or else the steering wheel isn't straight when the front wheels are straight, or if your tires are wearing improperly - more worn on one edge, etc. - this shows that there is a problem with the wheel alignment.
Beware of the shops that offer the $29.95 wheel alignment as they don't usually do a proper job - in the trade this is the "set toe and let it go" philosophy which is not the proper way to perform a wheel alignment and you may still have the problems that were there before you took it in.
2007-03-23 06:15:14 · answer #1 · answered by Justathought 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two wheel drive means that the vehicle is propelled forward (under engine power) with only the two rear wheels. 4 wheel drive means that the vehicle CAN be propelled by all 4 wheels. This can be accopmlished by the shifting of a lever or the pushing of a button on the dashboard. The "difference" is that 4 wheel drive will permit being able to drive in "off road" conditions. This is quite handy fro muddy roads, rough terrain, and other difficult road conditions. It is NOT a license to get out on the road and act like a fool. Ice conditions are no more favorable to a driver in a 4 wheeler then a knowledgeable driver in a 2 wheeler. It just means when you screw up in a 4 wheeler you will look more foolish.
2016-03-29 01:04:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
With front wheel drive, the geometry of vehicle alignment changes. Adjusting things so that your car tracks correctly might require measurements be taken at all 4 corners. A 4 wheel alignment is not as necessary on a rear wheel drive vehicle.
2007-03-23 06:32:39 · answer #3 · answered by united9198 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just as it sounds, you either get the front end aligned or you have front and rear aligned, the 4 wheel alignment is only for front drive vehicles.
2007-03-23 14:50:23 · answer #4 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when they line the front,thats all they do.when they line the back,thats all they do,but with a 4 wheel,they line all 4 wheels.
2007-03-23 09:31:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 is just the toe camber and caster on the front 4 is the back aswell (no caster on back)
2007-03-23 06:03:44 · answer #6 · answered by J-roge 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
independent suspension, if you front and back independent suspension the you need a 4 wheel alighnment
2007-03-23 06:01:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋