Automotive Wheel Alignment and Balancing Course

Lesson 1 • Introduction to Alignment Geometry

Covers the four primary alignment angles and their geometric relationships. Establishes the vocabulary and conceptual framework used throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Suspension System Basics

Introduces suspension components that directly influence alignment settings. Students connect component function to alignment angle behavior.

Lesson 3 • Tire and Wheel Relationship

Explains how tire construction and wheel offset interact with alignment. Students recognize how improper alignment accelerates tire wear.

Lesson 1 • Safety Protocols in the Alignment Bay

Establishes personal protective equipment, vehicle securing, and hazard awareness practices. Safe bay habits are reinforced as non-negotiable throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Equipment Calibration Procedures

Details manufacturer-specified calibration routines for alignment heads and sensors. Proper calibration is the prerequisite for accurate measurement in all subsequent chapters.

Lesson 3 • Lift and Turntable Setup

Covers proper lift selection, leveling, and turntable placement for alignment work. Students set up a bay that meets equipment manufacturer and safety requirements.

Lesson 1 • Suspension Component Inspection

Guides students through ball joint, bushing, and strut inspection techniques. Suspension integrity directly determines whether alignment adjustments will hold.

Lesson 2 • Steering Component Inspection

Teaches hands-on inspection of tie rods, steering rack, and column components. Worn steering parts must be replaced before alignment adjustments are made.

Lesson 3 • Vehicle Load and Ride Height Check

Explains how vehicle load and ride height affect alignment angle readings. Students measure and record ride height before attaching alignment heads.

Lesson 4 • Pre-Alignment Documentation

Establishes the practice of recording pre-inspection findings and customer complaints. Accurate documentation supports repair authorization and liability protection.

Lesson 1 • Special Vehicle Specification Considerations

Addresses alignment specs for trucks, SUVs, performance vehicles, and EVs. Students apply load-adjusted and manufacturer-specific settings for non-standard platforms.

Lesson 2 • Understanding Specification Ranges

Explains preferred, minimum, and maximum values within alignment specification ranges. Students determine whether a reading requires adjustment or falls within tolerance.

Lesson 3 • Accessing OEM Specification Data

Teaches use of service information systems to retrieve alignment specs by vehicle. Students navigate multiple data sources and resolve conflicting specification values.

Lesson 1 • Front Toe Adjustment

Guides students through tie rod adjustment to achieve specified front toe. Toe is adjusted last on the front axle after caster and camber are set.

Lesson 2 • Front Caster Adjustment

Teaches caster correction using strut rotation, cam bolts, and aftermarket kits. Students achieve specified caster while maintaining cross-caster balance.

Lesson 3 • Post-Adjustment Verification

Establishes the verification routine after all adjustments are complete. Students confirm all angles are within spec and produce a final alignment printout.

Lesson 4 • Front Camber Adjustment

Covers camber correction on strut-based and double-wishbone front suspensions. Students select the correct adjustment method based on suspension design.

Lesson 1 • Balancer Calibration and Setup

Details calibration routines and wheel data entry for accurate balancing results. Correct setup prevents systematic errors that cause repeat customer returns.

Lesson 2 • Weight Types and Placement Zones

Covers clip-on, adhesive, and tape weights and their correct placement positions. Students select weight type based on wheel material, style, and manufacturer requirements.

Lesson 3 • Physics of Wheel Imbalance

Explains static and dynamic imbalance forces and their effect on vehicle vibration. Students connect imbalance type to specific vibration symptoms reported by drivers.

Lesson 1 • Post-Balance Inspection and Reinstallation

Covers torque sequence, torque specification lookup, and post-installation road test. Proper reinstallation prevents wheel-off incidents and preserves balance accuracy.

Lesson 2 • Mounting the Wheel on the Balancer

Covers proper cone selection, centering, and clamping to prevent mounting-induced error. Correct mounting is the single largest source of balancing inaccuracy.

Lesson 3 • Standard Dynamic Balancing Procedure

Walks through the full spin-balance cycle from data entry to weight application. Students achieve dynamic balance within a 0.25-oz tolerance on the first correction.

Lesson 4 • Road-Force Balancing Procedure

Teaches road-force measurement, match mounting, and force variation correction. Students resolve vibration complaints that standard balancing cannot eliminate.

Lesson 1 • Vibration Diagnosis Methodology

Teaches a speed-based, symptom-driven diagnostic process for vibration complaints. Students isolate vibration source to tire, wheel, driveline, or engine before performing work.

Lesson 2 • Continuous Improvement Practices

Introduces comeback rate tracking and technician self-assessment as improvement tools. Students develop habits that reduce errors and increase first-time fix rates.

Lesson 3 • Alignment-Related Handling Complaints

Maps common handling symptoms to specific alignment angle deviations. Students use symptom data to prioritize which angles to measure and correct first.

Lesson 4 • Repeat Repair and Root Cause Analysis

Addresses vehicles that return with the same alignment or balance complaint. Students apply root cause analysis to identify underlying component failures.