WinAlign® HD Wheel Alignment Education Guide for Heavy-Duty Trucks

Troubleshooting Guide
Symptom		Possible Cause

Pull Left/Right		Uneven tire pressure Uneven tread wear Mismatched tires Uneven camber Uneven caster Brake drag Suspension/frame sag Unbalanced power assist Bent spindle Worn suspension components (front/rear) Excessive tandem scrub

Centerline Steering Error		Incorrect front toe Rear wheel misalignment Excessive steering and suspension play Excessive gearbox play Gearbox loose at the frame

Shimmy		Excessive positive caster Wheel imbalance Defective suspension and steering components Excessive wheel and tire runout (lateral) Worn tires Under inflation Steering gear loose Excessively loose wheel bearings Ply separation or blister Improperly torqued lug nuts

Vibration		Wheel imbalance Excessive wheel and tire runout (axial) Drum imbalance Drive shaft imbalance Defective u-joints Defective wheel bearings Improper tire inflation Drivetrain misalignment Defective shock or shock mounting Defective tire

Noise (abnormal)		Defective wheel bearing Overinflation Coarse tread pattern Incorrect alignment (all wheels) Incorrect turning angle Loose or rubbing suspension or steering component Driveline misalignment

Hard Steering		Low air pressure Steering gear binding Steering lubricant low Excessive positive caster Defective power steering belt Power steering fluid level low Power steering pressure low Steering and suspension component dry or binding

Loose Steering		Excessively loose wheel bearings Worn steering and suspension components Steering gear assembly loose on mounting Excessive internal wear in steering gear Loose or worn steering shaft coupling Steering gear misadjusted

Excessive Road Shock		Excessive positive caster Low air pressure Worn tires Wrong type tire Wrong shocks Worn shocks Springs worn or sagged

Braking Instability		Brakes incorrectly adjusted Contaminated brake linings Defective suspension components Incorrect alignment Excessive negative caster Uneven or low tire pressure

Poor Returnability		Incorrect caster Low air pressure Binding suspension and steering components Binding steering gear

Wander/Instability		Incorrect alignment Worn tires Low air pressure Mismatched tires Worn suspension and steering components Worn or loose steering gear Misadjusted steering gear Excessively loose wheel bearings

Squeal/Scuff on Turns		Worn tires Low tire pressure Incorrect turning angle Poor driving habits Worn suspension or steering components

Excessive Body Sway		Worn shocks or mountings Broken or sagging springs Uneven vehicle load Uneven tire pressure
Power Steering Troubleshooting Guide
Symptom		Possible Cause

Insufficient Assist		Low fluid Incorrect fluid Loose/worn belt Defective pump Restricted fluid passages Mechanical bind

Vehicle Pulls		Inoperative control valve Misadjusted control valve

Fluid Leaks		Loose hose connection Defective hose Damaged seals Fluid level too high

Excessive Noise		Low fluid level Loose/worn belt Defective pump Restricted fluid passages Defective relief valve

Poor Returnability		Steering column misalignment Yoke plug too tight Valve assembly binding Contaminated fluid Defective u-joints

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