Tires: Wheels, wheel alignment, wheel balance

Question
Hi Barry

Considering your expn, this must be a easy matter for you. I wanted to know couple of matter -

1st: what's the difference between wheel balancing & wheel alignment? How do one make out if either any one is required for the car?

2nd: my car, saloon, has pretty good tyres, there is no problem while turning or braking. I have not done either wheel balance or alignment since I purchased the car 2nd hand. This has done abt 22,000 kms with me. Is it necessary to do either wheel balance or aligment after certain kms, irrespective of tyre condition?

I will look forward for your comments.

sincerely
Samik

Answer
Wheel balance is where the tires and wheels are spun to reduce the amount of vibration a vehicle experiences.  Weights are put on the wheel to compensate for uneven weight distribution of both the tire and the wheel.

Wheel alignment, or better stated, vehicle alignment is where the axles of the vehicle are ajusted so the tires point the direction they are supposed to.

Some folks go with the theory that if nothing is wrong, then there is nothing to fix.  Others believe that a little preventative maintenance is good.  It depends on your feelings and your wallet.

Hope this helps.