THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – O’Reilly Auto Parts has added Tru Align as an equipment vendor for its nationwide auto parts retailer network. Winner of the Best New Tool & Equipment Award at the 2004 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Tru Align manufacturers and sells the only universal wheel alignment adapter on the market. O’Reilly is offering the Tru Align universal alignment adapter to its customers that perform wheel alignment services as a new, innovative tool to safely and accurately align today’s larger and more stylish wheels.

The custom tire and wheel market has grown into a more than $1 billion industry in the United States. With original equipment manufacturers installing 18 inches to 21 inches high-performance tires with “lipless rims” on new vehicles, major wheel alignment problems have arisen for automotive technicians. Without outside lips for alignment clamps to attach to and tire rim guards that overlap a quarter inch to protect the wheels, it becomes almost impossible to affix the clamps without damaging the wheel. Diameter also plays a role in this growing problem — at last year’s Las Vegas SEMA Show, 30-inch wheels were displayed.

Most alignment clamps struggle with anything larger than 18 inches, according to Tru Align, but larger clamps just become heavier and more clumsy to handle, increasing the potential of scratching the wheel. Tru Align equipped tire shops can now offer wheel alignments for all oversized and difficult fitment OE and custom wheels that competing tire shops must turn down. Using the Tru Align system, alignment technicians can quickly and securely mount their alignment sensors on precision aluminum plates that are attached directly to the vehicle’s hub. This method of attachment ensures accuracy and time-savings for the technician along with ensuring that they will not scratch the customer’s wheels, says Tru Align.

For more information, visit: www.trualign.com.