SVC 01 / ALIGNMENT
Wheel alignment in Montclair
Your steering wheel should sit straight and the car should track straight when you let go for a second. If it doesn't, the angles are off, and your tires are paying for it.
About wheel alignment
An alignment sets three angles on each wheel: camber (the tilt in or out when you look at the car head on), caster (the tilt of the steering axis from the side) and toe (whether the fronts of the tires point in or out). Your vehicle's maker publishes a spec for each one. We measure, compare and adjust back to that spec.
Potholes, curbs and plain old miles knock those angles out over time. Toe is the expensive one. A little toe error drags the tire sideways a few inches every mile, and the inside or outside edge wears off long before the middle does.
Got new tires? Align them. It's the cheapest way to protect what you just paid for.
Signs you need an alignment
- The car drifts or pulls to one side on a flat road
- The steering wheel is off-center when you're driving straight
- One edge of a tire is wearing faster than the rest
- Tread feels feathered or sawtooth when you run a hand across it
- You hit a curb or a deep pothole hard
- You just bought new tires, or had steering or suspension parts replaced elsewhere
What happens in the bay
Check what the alignment sits on
Tire pressures get set first. Then we look at the steering and suspension for play. Worn tie rod ends or ball joints won't hold an alignment, and we'll tell you before you pay to align around them.
Measure all four wheels
Alignment sensors go on each wheel and read camber, caster and toe against your vehicle's factory spec.
Adjust to spec
Toe gets set on every alignment. Camber and caster get adjusted where your suspension allows it. Some cars have fixed camber from the factory, and we'll say so.
Center the wheel and check again
The steering wheel is centered and all four wheels are read once more against spec before the car comes off the rack.
Two-wheel or four-wheel?
Most cars on the road today need a four-wheel alignment because the rear axle has adjustable or measurable angles too. Tell us the vehicle and we'll book the right one.
Alignment isn't balancing
A pull or uneven wear points to alignment. A shake at highway speed usually points to balance. Not sure? Book an inspection.
Book wheel alignment in Montclair.
Book online in a minute, or call (909) 321-2191. 5483 Moreno Street, Montclair.
Wheel alignment questions
How often should I get an alignment?
Check it once a year, any time you buy tires, and after any hard hit to a curb or pothole. If the car pulls or the wheel sits crooked, don't wait for the calendar.
Can an alignment fix a pull?
Usually. But a pull can also come from a tire with an internal defect, uneven pressures or a dragging brake. We check pressures and tires first so you're not paying for the wrong fix.
Will an alignment fix a vibration?
Rarely. Vibration at speed is almost always balance, a bent wheel or a tire problem. Alignment fixes pull and uneven wear.
Do you align lifted trucks?
Call first with the year, make, model and lift details. Some lift kits need parts to bring the angles back into range.
