Auto Parts Guides & Resources

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How much is a wheel alignment?

The cost of an alignment will depend on the vehicle’s model and the type of adjustments made to the steering components. A wheel alignment will cost around $50 for small vehicles and $150 for large vehicles. SUVs and four-wheel drive wheel alignments are more expensive because the adjustment work needed can be time-consuming. The cost of an alignment will depend on the vehicle’s model and the type of adjustments made to the steering components. It is best to budget between $125 - $150 and more, as the cost may vary depending on what needs to get done. With time, the suspension of the vehicle shifts and the tyres are no longer in alignment. A wheel alignment improves handling performance and extends tyre life. The steering axis will not perform optimally if there is a misalignment. ## Does wheel alignment include balancing? Most people assume that wheel alignment and tyre balancing are the same. Even though both contribute to a smooth ride, alignment and balancing are different services. The price of both can be included when you buy a new set of tyres, like [17-inch tyres](/guides/tyres/17-inch-tyres-price). Wheel balancing corrects any uneven distribution of weight. Wheel alignment service technicians recommend wheel balancing when you get new tyres for your vehicle as the alignment will ensure that all the tyres have equal wheel weights. If there is an imbalance, it will lead to tire wear, vibration, and suspension component damage. During a wheel balance service, expert technicians will install the correct tyre weights. A proper alignment will help prevent the vehicle from veering to the right side or left side and also improves the handling of the car. ## How much does a wheel balance cost? The cost is often similar to a wheel alignment - around $50 for small vehicles and $150 for large vehicles. If wheel balancing gets done using special machinery, you will get charged a fixed price. If you combine it with alignment, you will get both services at one cost. Tyre technicians use a computer balancing machine to calculate the weight of the wheel and the tyre. ## How much does wheel alignment and balancing cost? Tyres undergo a lot of wear, even with daily driving. When the tyres wear down it causes uneven weight distribution, hurting fuel efficiency and causing uneven wear on the tyre. The constant vibration fshortens the life of bearings, shocks, tyres, and other similar components. A fixed cost gets charged if wheel balancing and aligning gets done together. ## Do I need a two or four-wheel alignment? An alignment service ensures optimal drivability. In a two-wheel alignment, technicians will adjust only the front tyres - uneven tyre wear is often the symptom of misalignment. The camber adjustment gets done to factory specifications. Front tyre alignment only is not recommended for modern cars as the rear angles of the wheels are excluded. A four-wheel alignment is done by the mechanic only on vehicles with four-wheel independent suspension systems. The technician adjusts all four wheels but it will differ for the front and rear wheels. It is typically done on [4-wheel drive tyres](/guides/tyres/4-wheel-drive-tyres-price). The front-wheel adjustment includes the camber, caster, and toe items. The back wheel adjustment includes the camber and toe. ## How often should wheel alignment and balancing be done? Irrespective of what car you drive, wheel alignment inspection and balancing should get done regularly. It is advisable to get the wheel alignment checked every six months or 10,000 km, whichever occurs first. It will help in keeping the steering wheel tracking straight. It's best to have a wheel balance every 5,000 – 6,000 km. If a tyre check is not done at regular intervals by an experienced mechanic you may have to spend money unnecessarily on replacing tyres. ## Do you really need a wheel alignment? You should get the tyres checked at least once or twice a year. If you travel regularly on rough roads, the tyre suffers wear and tear - regular checks are crucial as misalignment signs often go unnoticed. The symptoms of misalignment include steering pull to one side, uneven tread wear and an off-centre steering wheel.

Cost of alternator replacement

An alternator works to generate the right amount of electricity to power the electrical system and the battery in your car. An alternator is an electrical generator driven by the crankshaft in your car's engine. It converts the mechanical drive into electrical energy to control all the electrical components, and battery, in your car. ## How much does alternator replacement cost? Symptoms and warning signs of a dodgy alternator include dim lights flickering or dim lights in the dash, headlights, or centre dome light), service engine light, odd noises, electrical issues, engine stalling and dead battery. On average, the cost of an alternator can range from $200 to $600. You may need to pay around $400 for the part itself. For good value alternator replacement you might be able to buy a second hand one. ## What is an alternator in a car? Alternators are basically generators that dispense electricity and recharge the battery in your car. Apart from some hybrid models, all vehicles that have a standard internal combustion engine use an alternator. An alternator produces electricity, regulates voltage, and converts voltage to charge the battery. It produces voltage to run power windows, power steering for the steering wheel, indicator light, battery light, locks and stereo. ## What makes an alternator go bad? A range of factors can cause an alternator to go bad including an issue with the computer, diodes, wiring, a bad fuse or [broken belt](/guides/mechanics/timing-belt-replacement-cost) or pulley. The alternator may also have just worn out due to age. Infrequent driving can also could increase the charging load of an alternators and reduce the lifespan.

Towbar installation price

It usually takes about two to three hours to fit a towbar to the majority of vehicle models. The price of a towbar differs from one vehicle to and nearly every wiring harness is different. Since the installation time varies with each vehicle, so to does the cost. ## How much does it cost to have a towbar installed? The price of a towbar differs from one vehicle to another. The average fitting price of a towbar is around $400 to $500. A new towbar, fitted, can be expected to cost up to and above $1,000. ## How long does it take to install a towbar? Each motor vehicle model has a different framework design and in some vehicles the installation involves cutting the back bumper so as to fit the towbar, in addition to cabling harness being installed. With some cars you might even be required to [pull out the exhaust](/guides/mufflers-exhausts/what-is-a-cat-back-exhaust). It usually takes about two to three hours to fit a towbar to the majority of the vehicle models. ## Can you install a tow bar yourself? Yes, you can fit a towbar by yourself at home if you have experience with handling vehicles. Even though it might be somehow complex, you can do it, but you will require the necessary tools and accessories. Before you start, choose your towbar depending on what you will be towing, the weight it will have to pull, your car make and model and the amount of weight your vehicle is able to tow. The work can be very easy if you raise the vehicle on a pair of jacks and hinge stands. You will need to remove the back bumper so as to fix the towbar to the vehicle, then cut out the bumper because some vehicles will require their back bumpers modified for the tow bar to fit properly. After cutting out the bumper, Install the crossbar. It should be firmly fastened in place. Use a a water-resistant sealant to seal the joint between the crossbar and the chassis rail to avoid rusting and corrosion. When the crossbar is firmly in place, you can now fit the towing machinery itself: the swan neck or the flange ball attachment, which will permit you to hitch your vehicle to your caravan or trailer. ## Is it difficult to fit a towbar? Towbar installation can be a very confusing and daunting - it is not as easy as fixing it to your back bumper and driving off. The manufacturer of your towbar might suggest or even require you to install a stand-alone transmission cooler. The cooling capacity of your radiator might be inadequate for towing and may require to be upgraded. Also, if yours is a modern vehicle, it might call for a software upgrade for it to accommodate towing applications. You may also need to have a [wheel alignment](/guides/auto-parts/how-much-is-a-wheel-alignment). ## What do towbar Installation services include? A brake controller may need to be fixed to your car if the trailer that you are hauling has hydraulic brakes fitted. Brake controllers allow you to lawfully tow a trailer bigger than 750kgs if your car meets the requirements. Installation includes an electrical connection, towball, D-shackles, plugs for trailer lights and indicators.