Bridgestone Team 

When it comes to your trucks and buses, proper alignment matters. Think of it as an essential tune-up that helps your wheels turn just right – helping to keep you safe on the road, making the ride more comfortable and even helping you save money on your fuel costs.

A misaligned vehicle wastes rubber, burns extra fuel, and makes a driver’s job harder. A well-aligned truck, with tires and axles pointed the right way, keeps those costs in check and makes every mile more productive.

Take a look at some of the most common questions about tire alignment. 

Bridgestone and the Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) recommended Practice RP 642A-2 suggest a “post break-in” alignment between 15,000 and 30,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. This break-in period is recommended because it’s when vehicles experience the most change in the components that affect alignment.

What is “Post Break-in”? Components such as bushings, springs, and fasteners settle and shift as the truck or bus begins operating under normal loads and distances. This settling can cause small alignment changes that, if left uncorrected, may result in premature tire wear or handling issues.

Comparison Table: Recommended Alignment Intervals by Vehicle Class

Aligning too early can actually do more harm than good. After the post break-in alignment, TMC recommends alignment checks every 80,000 to 100,000 miles, typically lining up with steer tire replacements.

Check alignment if you see uneven tire wear, if drivers report steering or handling issues, if the vehicle has been damaged, or if parts affecting alignment have been replaced.

Additional Triggers for Alignment Checks:

• Steering wheel isn’t centered when driving straight.

• Truck pulls to one side, causing the driver to constantly compensate.

• Noticeable drop in fuel mileage over a short period.

Check alignment if you observe irregular tire wear, if the driver reports steering or handling problems, any time the vehicle has been damaged, or if components that affect alignment have been replaced.

Alignment problems originate on steer tires but can actually start at the drive or trailer axles, which play a big role in your vehicle’s overall alignment. Many experts rank drive axles as the most common culprit, followed by trailer axles, then steer axles.

Common Mechanical Culprits Include worn bushings, leading to extra play in the suspension system; cracked or bent spring hangers, throwing off axle positioning; and bent tie rods from curb hits or debris, affecting wheel orientation.

Heavy or uneven loads and repeated impacts with curbs or potholes can speed up these problems. Such stresses may push axles out of line or damage key steering and suspension parts, so it’s vital to check alignment after major events.

Use our visual guide to identify common wear patterns

• Cupping: Scalloped or wavy dips around the tread—often linked to suspension or balance issues.

• Feathering: Tread feels smooth on one edge, sharp on the other—usually a sign of toe misalignment.

• One-Sided Shoulder Wear: Extra wear on just one side, typically signaling camber or frame alignment problems.

Tire wear is the clearest sign. If your tires are lasting as expected, your axles are probably in line. Correct inflation pressure and consistent alignment are the two biggest drivers of tire longevity.

Here are some additional reliability tools: onboard telematics monitor real-time pulling and vibrations, which are key warnings for misalignment; portable laser devices allow you to check trailer axle alignment on the spot, helping to prevent steer tire wear before it starts; and always keep tires inflated to the recommended pressure, as under- or over-inflation can mask or mimic alignment problems.

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