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Complete Brake Service and Repair

Dualtone Mufflers, Catalytic Converters and Performance Exhaust

Computerized Four Wheel Alignment

Complete Brake Service and Repair

Standing Behind Our Brakes for Everyone Standing in Front of Them

Proper operation of your braking system is crucial to your and your passengers' safety, as well as the safety of others with whom you share the road. Dualtone Muffler Brake & Alignment recommends that you visit us for a free brake inspection if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

• Low or spongy brake pedal
• Hard brake pedal
• Brake warning light that stays on
• Continuously squealing brakes

Even if you’re not experiencing any of these symptoms, it's still a good idea to have them inspected at least once a year.

Dualtone Mufflers, Catalytic Converters and Performance Exhaust

When it has to be perfect. Choose San Diego's oldest and most experienced exhaust shop.

Exhaust manifolds and gaskets:
Cracks or small holes could cause exhaust leaks, affecting both safety and performance.

Oxygen sensors:
Cracks, damaged wires, or blocked intakes could cause incorrect fuel / air mixture adjustments and poor fuel economy.

Catalytic converters:
Overheating, dents, clogs, or corrosion could cause air pollution, excessive noise, and a rough idle.

Resonators and mufflers:
Excessive rust or holes could cause air pollution, excessive noise and a rough idle.

Pipes, hangers, clamps, and brackets:
Excessive rust or broken bolts could cause parts to hang dangerously low, resulting in a hazard for the people driving behind you.

Computerized Four Wheel Alignment

Increase tire life, fuel mileage, and restore proper handling.

Wheel alignment provides safe, predictable vehicle control as well as a smooth and comfortable ride
Alignment is one of the key maintenance factors in getting the most wear and performance from your tires.
The following information should help to explain the importance of proper alignment.

Alignment Basics
Aligning a car or truck involves the adjustment of the vehicle's suspension -- not the tires and wheels. The direction and the angles that the tires point in after the alignment is complete, however, are critically important. There are four factors involved in setting the alignment to specification: caster, camber, toe and ride height. The following brief discussion of each aspect will help you understand the process and spot potential problems.

Caster
Caster is the angle of the steering axis (the part of the suspension that supports the wheel and tire assembly). Viewed from the side of the vehicle, an imaginary line drawn between the centers of the upper and lower ball joints forms an angle with true vertical; this is defined as caster. The illustration below shows whether this angle is referred to as positive or negative. Caster is important to steering feel and high-speed stability.

Camber
Viewed from the front of the vehicle, camber describes the inward or outward tilt of the tire. The illustration on the right shows whether this tilt is referred to as positive or negative. The camber adjustment maximizes the tire-to-road contact and takes into account the changes of force when a vehicle is turning. Camber is the one adjustment that can be set according to driving habits. Generally, if you drive more aggressively when cornering, more negative camber can be set. If you drive on highways and do very little hard cornering, more positive camber can be set.

Toe
Viewed from above the vehicle, toe describes whether the fronts of the tires are closer (toe-in) or farther (toe-out) apart than the rears of the tires. The illustration to the right shows this relationship. Toe settings vary between front and rear wheel drive vehicles. In a front wheel drive vehicle, the front wheels try to pull toward each other when the vehicle is in motion, which requires a compensating toe-out setting. A rear wheel drive vehicle works just the opposite, necessitating a toe-in setting. Stated differently, toe is set to let the tires roll in parallel (at zero toe) when the vehicle is in motion.

Ride Height
Ride height is simply the distance between the vehicle's frame and the road. This is the reference point for all alignment measurements. Vehicle customizing very often will include raising or lowering the vehicle. Don't forget to have your vehicle aligned afterward. Also, this rule applies if you put a taller or shorter tire on your vehicle.

Today's modern suspensions require a precise four-wheel alignment that can only be achieved through a modern alignment system. This applies to both front and rear wheel drive vehicles.

Worn Parts
Very often a worn suspension part is the cause of an alignment problem.
On older vehicles, worn springs can lower a vehicle's ride height, altering its geometry and creating misalignment
(all alignment settings refer to ride height). Weak springs can also contribute to uneven or "cupped" tire wear. Another common problem is worn ball joints. The symptoms here are erratic handling, slow steering response and irregular tire wear. Finally, worn tie rods can allow the tire to wander left to right, effectively changing toe as the vehicle rolls down the road. Irregular feathering will develop on the tire tread when this is the problem.

How can you tell if your wheels are out of alignment?

Front end shimmy

• Incorrect wheel alignment
• Excessive wheel / rim run-out
• Steering gear box (rack) mount loose
• Steering gear adjustment loose
• Tires out of balance
• Tires out of round
• Wheel bearings worn or loose
• Worn steering / suspension components

Hard steering

• Ball joint tight or seized
• Bent steering knuckle or supports
• Damaged suspension components
• Front tire pressure low
• Idler arm bushing too tight
• Power steering fluid low or belt loose
• Power steering pump defective
• Steering gear out of adjustment

Premature tire wear

• Incorrect wheel alignment
• Incorrect tire inflation
• Suspension / steering system worn
• Uneven or sagging springs
• Improper torsion bar adjustment
• Worn or defective shocks / struts
• Tires out of balance

Pulls to one side

• Incorrect tire inflation
• Brakes dragging
• Mismatched tires or Radial Pull
• Frame bent
• Control arm bushing worn
• Broken or sagging springs
• Uneven sway bar links

Car wanders

• Incorrect wheel alignment.
• Incorrect tire inflation
• Wrong tires for vehicle
• Worn shock / strut
• Improper vehicle height
• Stabilizer bar missing or defective
• Worn steering components
• Worn strut rod or control arm bushings