Common Causes of Vehicle Misalignment: Insights from an Auto Body Repair Shop in Westchester, Illinois

At some point in time, your vehicle could have misalignment issues. This is when a vehicle’s frame becomes compromised in some way, causing it to become crooked and off-kilter. Not only does a misaligned vehicle result in functional issues, but it poses a safety hazard as well.

You might be wondering how a vehicle becomes misaligned. If so, you’ve come to the right place. This auto body repair shop in Westchester, Illinois is going to discuss some of the most common causes below.

Hitting Potholes

Perhaps the most common cause of vehicle misalignment is hitting potholes. Because potholes cause vehicles to drop suddenly and sharply, they can inflict quite a bit of trauma.

In most cases, it’s the deeper potholes that you’ll want to look out for. That said, even shallow and small potholes can cause misalignment issues.

It’s also important to note that the speed of the vehicle makes a difference. In most cases, the higher the speed at which the vehicle hits the pothole, the more damage the vehicle will incur.

Being Involved in Auto Collisions

Another common cause of vehicle misalignment issues is auto collisions. From simple fender benders to high-speed accidents and otherwise, these incidents can do substantial amounts of damage to a vehicle’s frame.

If you’ve been in a collision lately, it’s recommended that you have your vehicle inspected at your local auto body repair shop in Westchester, Illinois. They’ll determine whether alignment issues have arisen and recommend actions to counteract those issues.

Running Over Road Debris

Let’s assume you’re driving down the highway…only for a hubcap to suddenly enter your line of sight. You try to avoid it but, alas, it’s too late. You hit the hubcap at full speed, and your vehicle feels the impact.

Now, if you’re lucky, you’ll have gotten away with your automobile unscathed. If you’re like a lot of drivers, however, your vehicle will have incurred damage, a portion of which might be frame misalignment.

Driving With a Damaged Suspension

Your vehicle’s suspension system is responsible for mitigating the effects of bumps and dips. This way, when you hit a bump or dip at high speeds, your suspension system will stop the components in your vehicle’s frame from slamming up against one another. In doing so, they’ll help prevent your vehicle’s frame from going out of alignment.

In other words, if you’re driving with a damaged or dysfunctional suspension system, your vehicle is much more prone to misalignment than it would be otherwise. In these cases, it’s recommended that you visit your local auto body repair shop in Westchester,

Turning Over Curbs

Almost everyone with a license has driven over a curb at some point. We turn just a little too tightly and — thump! — we’re dropping a half a foot off the sidewalk.

The next time you make this mistake, keep an eye open for signs of misalignment. These include an off-center steering wheel, uneven tread on tires, noisy turning, and a variety of other symptoms. If you’re unable to tell, you can always bring your vehicle to an auto body repair shop in Westchester, Illinois for an inspection.

Looking for the Best Auto Body Repair Shop in Westchester, Illinois?

Is your vehicle suffering from alignment issues? Need to have it repaired? If so, we the experts at Lombard Body & Fender are here to help.

As the best auto body repair shop in Westchester, Illinois, our mechanics have realigned countless vehicles throughout area. We can have your vehicle driving smoothly again in no time.

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