Dirt roads move the steering, not just the tires
Pavement is smooth by comparison with what a lot of southern Arizona pickups drive on. Washboard surfaces, ruts, rocks and dips on unpaved roads send a steady stream of jolts up through the wheels into the steering and suspension.
No single one of those jolts is dramatic. Together, over months, they loosen and wear the joints that hold the wheels at their set angles: tie rod ends, ball joints and bushings. Once those wear, the alignment drifts even without an impact you would remember.
That is the important difference from city driving. A truck on pavement usually goes out of alignment because of one event, a pothole or a curb. A truck on dirt roads goes out of alignment gradually, and the cause is worn parts as much as knocked angles.
Why that changes the order of work
An alignment sets the angles. It cannot hold them if the parts that keep them in place are loose. Aligning a truck with worn tie rod ends gives a good printout and a truck that drifts out again within weeks.
The useful order is to inspect the steering and suspension parts first, replace what is worn, and then align. Ask for that inspection when you book, and say how much of the driving is off pavement.
Signs worth booking for
- A steering wheel that feels loose or vague around center.
- Steering that wanders and needs constant small corrections.
- Front tires wearing on one edge.
- A clunk over rough ground, which points to worn parts.
Worn parts are suspension repair, and a vibration rather than a pull is more often tire and wheel balancing, both here. The national alignment page covers how the measurement works.
About this store
The Tucson store carries all nine Purcell tire categories and is managed by Mark Laster.
See the national car and light truck alignment page for all 40 locations.