These two services are often confused, frequently bundled together, and sometimes used interchangeably by drivers who aren’t sure which one they actually need. “My wheels need balancing” and “my tracking’s out” are two of the most common things we hear at Wheelbase Garage – but they’re very different problems with very different solutions.
Understanding the distinction saves you money, because you can identify which service you actually need rather than paying for both when only one is necessary. It also helps you describe the problem accurately when you book in, which means we can diagnose faster and get you back on the road sooner.
What Is Wheel Tracking?
Wheel tracking – also called wheel alignment – refers to the direction your wheels point relative to each other and to the road. When a technician adjusts your tracking, they’re setting the precise angles of your suspension geometry so that all four wheels are aimed exactly where they should be.
There are three main angles involved: toe (whether the fronts of the wheels point inward or outward), camber (whether the wheels tilt inward or outward when viewed from the front), and caster (the angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side). Of these, toe is the most commonly adjusted and the one that causes the most noticeable symptoms when it’s wrong.
When your tracking is correct, your tyres roll straight and true, making even contact with the road surface. When it’s off, even by fractions of a degree, the tyres scrub against the tarmac at a slight angle with every revolution. That scrubbing causes uneven wear, increased rolling resistance, and the car pulling to one side.
Tracking is adjusted using a precision laser or camera alignment rig. The whole process typically takes 30-60 minutes.
What Is Wheel Balancing?
Wheel balancing addresses a completely different problem: the distribution of weight around each wheel and tyre assembly.
No tyre is perfectly uniform. Manufacturing variations mean that some parts of the tyre are fractionally heavier than others. The valve stem adds weight at one point. Even the wheel rim itself may not be perfectly symmetrical. These tiny weight differences don’t matter at low speed, but as the wheel spins faster, even a few grams of imbalance creates a vibration that increases with speed.
Balancing involves placing the wheel on a specialist balancing machine that spins it at high speed and measures exactly where the heavy and light spots are. The technician then attaches small lead or zinc weights to the rim at precise points to counteract the imbalance. Once balanced, the wheel spins smoothly without vibration at any speed.
Each wheel is balanced individually. The process takes about 10-15 minutes per wheel.
Which Symptoms Point to Which Problem?
This is the key practical question. Both tracking and balancing problems affect how your car feels to drive, but the symptoms are quite different:
| Symptom | Likely Cause |
|---|---|
| Car pulls to one side on a straight road | Tracking |
| Uneven tyre wear on inner or outer edge | Tracking |
| Steering wheel off-centre when driving straight | Tracking |
| Steering feels vague or wanders | Tracking |
| Vibration through steering wheel at 50-70 mph | Balancing |
| Vibration through the seat at motorway speed | Balancing |
| Cupping or scalloped tyre wear pattern | Balancing |
| Vibration at a specific speed that disappears above/below it | Balancing |
| Steering wheel vibration at lower speeds | Could be either (or brake discs) |
| Rapid tyre wear across the full tread width | Could be either (or inflation issue) |
The general rule is: pulling and edge wear point to tracking; vibration and scalloping point to balancing.
For a deeper look at alignment-specific symptoms and what each wear pattern means, see our complete guide to wheel alignment signs.
If the symptoms point to balancing rather than tracking, our guide to identifying wheel balancing issues works through each sign in more detail.
What Does Each Service Cost?
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Front-wheel tracking (2 wheels) | £40 – £60 |
| Four-wheel tracking (all 4 wheels) | £60 – £80 |
| Wheel balancing (per wheel) | £8 – £15 |
| Wheel balancing (all 4 wheels) | £32 – £60 |
| Both services together | £80 – £130 |
Balancing is cheaper because it’s a quicker, simpler process. Tracking requires more sophisticated equipment and more time to adjust. That said, both are inexpensive relative to the damage they prevent.
When Do You Need One vs the Other vs Both?
You need tracking (alignment) when:
- The car pulls to one side
- You notice uneven edge wear on your tyres
- You’ve hit a significant pothole or kerb
- Your steering wheel is off-centre
- It’s been more than 12 months since your last check
- You’ve had suspension work done
You need balancing when:
- You feel vibration through the steering wheel or seat at speed
- New tyres have been fitted (they always need balancing)
- A wheel weight has fallen off
- You notice a cupping or scalloped wear pattern on a tyre
- You’ve had a tyre repaired after a puncture
You need both when:
- You’re fitting new tyres
- You’ve hit a pothole hard enough to knock the tracking out and potentially shift a wheel weight
- You’re experiencing multiple symptoms – for example, pulling to one side AND vibration at speed
- It’s a general “something doesn’t feel right” situation
Do New Tyres Need Both?
In short: yes, ideally.
New tyres always need balancing. This is standard practice and should be included in the fitting price. Any reputable tyre fitter will balance each wheel as part of the fitting process.
Tracking is slightly different. It’s not always included in a tyre fitting package, but it really should be checked at the same time. If your old tyres wore unevenly because of a tracking issue, fitting new tyres without correcting the alignment means your brand-new rubber will start wearing unevenly from mile one.
At Wheelbase Garage, we always recommend a tracking check when fitting new tyres. If the alignment is already spot-on, you’ve lost nothing but a few minutes. If it’s out, you’ve just saved yourself from destroying another set.
How Each Service Is Performed
Tracking (Alignment)
- The car is driven onto a level alignment bay or ramp
- Sensor heads or reflector targets are clipped to each wheel
- A laser or camera system reads the current toe, camber, and caster angles
- The technician compares the readings to the manufacturer’s specification
- Adjustments are made – typically by turning the track rod adjusters for toe
- The system is re-read to confirm all angles are within specification
- A printout or digital report is produced showing before and after readings
Balancing
- The wheel and tyre assembly is removed from the car
- Any old balance weights are removed
- The assembly is mounted on the balancing machine’s spindle
- The machine spins the wheel at high speed and calculates where the imbalances are
- The technician clips or adhesive-mounts weights to the rim at precise points
- The wheel is spun again to confirm the balance is within tolerance
- The wheel is refitted to the car and torqued to specification
The Relationship Between the Two
While tracking and balancing are different services, they’re connected in the sense that both affect tyre wear and both affect how the car feels to drive. A car with perfect tracking but poor balance will vibrate. A car with perfect balance but poor tracking will pull and wear tyres unevenly.
For the best ride quality, even tyre wear, and maximum tyre life, you want both to be correct. That’s why we recommend checking both whenever you notice something isn’t quite right, and especially when fitting new tyres. You can schedule your next alignment check with us at the same time.
For more detail on alignment specifically, see our full guide to alignment signs and symptoms. And if you’re interested in the balancing side, we’ve also covered why wheel balancing is essential in a separate post.
Not Sure Which You Need?
If you’re experiencing symptoms but aren’t sure whether it’s a tracking or balancing issue, don’t worry about diagnosing it yourself. Book your car in at Wheelbase Garage and we’ll identify the problem, explain what needs doing, and give you a clear price before any work starts. We’re on the A273 in Burgess Hill – get in touch or call to book.