Hit a curb or a deep pothole lately? The car may feel fine, but one hard impact can shift your wheel alignment. At Los Paisas Tires Shop on S Military Trl in West Palm Beach we check alignment and balance after impacts, so a small problem does not turn into tires you have to replace early.
What happens to alignment when you hit a curb?
The force of the hit goes through the tire and wheel into the steering and suspension parts. Angles that were in spec can move a little. You often do not feel it right away. What you see weeks later is uneven wear on one edge of the tire, usually the inner or outer shoulder.
Signs to watch after an impact
- The steering wheel is no longer centered when you drive straight
- The car drifts to one side on a level road
- One edge of a tire wears faster than the rest
- A new vibration at highway speed (often a bent rim or a lost balance weight)
Alignment or balancing: which one do I need?
A pull or a crooked steering wheel points to alignment. A shake that comes and goes with speed usually points to balancing. A hard hit can cause both, so we check both. We also look at the tire itself: a bulge or cut on the sidewall after a curb hit means the tire should be replaced, not driven on.
Why checking early saves money
Uneven wear cannot be reversed. A tire that has worn down on one edge has to be replaced even if the rest of the tread looks good. Catching the problem early protects the tires you already paid for.
Key facts
- Alignment and wheel balancing are done at Los Paisas Tires Shop, 1114 S Military Trl, West Palm Beach, FL 33415.
- The price is explained before the work starts, in English or Spanish.
- No appointment needed. Open 7 days a week, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
Los Paisas Tires Shop, 1114 S Military Trl, West Palm Beach, FL 33415 · (561) 429-4041 (call or WhatsApp) · open 7 days a week, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
See the service page: wheel alignment. Related: signs your car needs an alignment and car shakes at highway speed.
Questions
The car feels fine after the pothole. Should I still check it?
Yes, if the hit was hard. Alignment changes often show up as uneven wear weeks later, not as a feeling right away.
Can a pothole bend a rim?
Yes. A bent rim usually causes a vibration and can make the tire lose air slowly. We check the wheel when we balance it.
Do you check alignment on weekends?
Yes. The shop is open every day, including Saturday and Sunday, from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.