What Happens During a Wheel Alignment Visit
We begin by reviewing the symptoms you’ve noticed. We then inspect the vehicle’s tires, steering, and suspension before taking measurements or making adjustments.
A typical visit may include:
- Initial inspection: The technician checks the tires, steering components, suspension condition, and reported handling symptoms.
- Computerized measurement: Equipment measures the alignment angles to identify where adjustments may be needed.
- Alignment adjustments: The technician adjusts those angles based on the vehicle’s requirements.
- Handling verification: A road test can assess how the vehicle steers and tracks after the work.
We use computerized alignment technology on our alignment rack. When needed after alignment work, we also perform ADAS calibration, which adjusts the vehicle’s advanced driver-assistance cameras and sensors.
1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
Qualified Automotive Care with Recognized Credentials
ASE-certified technicians perform our repair work. Our Brownsburg shop is also a AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility and RepairPal Certified, providing third-party confirmation of our service standards.
Qualifying repairs are backed by the Nice Difference® Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs last. Warranty eligibility depends on the repair performed, so we can explain whether specific work qualifies before service begins.
Signs Your Vehicle May Need an Alignment Check
Alignment can shift gradually through normal wear or after a road impact. Potholes and curb strikes can affect alignment, while worn suspension components can change how a vehicle tracks.
Warning signs to watch for include:
- Pulling toward one side while driving
- Uneven or unusually rapid tire wear
- A crooked or off-center steering wheel
- Squealing tires or vibration while steering
The Hendricks County highway department maintains 752 miles of roadway through patching, paving, shoulder work, and snow removal. Even with ongoing maintenance, road hazards and seasonal pavement damage can cause impacts that warrant attention. If handling changes after hitting a pothole, don’t wait for visible tire damage before arranging a check.
Wheel Alignment vs. Tire Balancing
Despite its name, a wheel alignment doesn’t adjust the wheels or tires themselves. It adjusts steering and suspension angles so the tires meet the road at the intended position.
The primary alignment angles are:
- Camber: The inward or outward tilt of the tire when viewed from the front.
- Caster: The angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side.
- Toe: The direction the tires point inward or outward when viewed from above.
Tire balancing distributes weight around the wheel and tire assembly, while alignment corrects the vehicle’s geometry. Because some symptoms overlap, an inspection can identify which service applies.
How Alignment Connects to Suspension & Tire Care
Alignment is commonly considered after steering or suspension repairs or when new tires are installed. Our Steering & Suspension services include work involving shocks, struts, and related components that may affect vehicle handling.
We also offer a free Courtesy Inspection covering major systems, including lights, brakes, suspension, tires, and the battery. This inspection provides a broader look at vehicle condition, while computerized measurement specifically assesses alignment angles.
Get Clear Answers About Your Vehicle’s Alignment
Our team can evaluate pulling, uneven tread, an off-center steering wheel, or handling changes after a road impact. We explain the findings and appropriate next steps in straightforward terms.
Complimentary shuttle service helps reduce disruption while your vehicle is at the shop. Our contact form is also available for appointment requests.
Call (317) 659-6868 to schedule wheel alignment service in Brownsburg.
When to Consider a Basic Alignment Check
There isn’t one situation that applies to every vehicle. Driving conditions, vehicle wear, tire replacement, and recent repair work can all influence when a basic alignment check makes sense.
Consider arranging a check after:
- Hitting a pothole or curb
- Completing steering or suspension repairs
- Installing a new set of tires
- Noticing gradual changes in steering or tread wear
Your Local Christian Brothers Amenities
FAQs
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Q. "What is the difference between a wheel alignment and a wheel balance?"Wheel alignment is the term for how your wheels sit when mounted to your car and wheel balancing is what’s done to perfectly balance the weight of a tire and wheel assembly so that it travels evenly.
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Q. "How often should I get a wheel alignment?"We recommend every 6,000 miles or when you experience signs of misalignment.
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Q. "What causes bad alignment?"Normal wear and tear can eventually cause your car to come out of alignment, but perhaps a more sudden occurrence would be things like hitting potholes, bumping curbs, or even minor accidents. Click here to read more on the causes and consequences of bad alignment.
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Q. "Do you offer a shuttle service?"Yes! we understand you have a full schedule. Whether you need to get to work, school, or need to attend to other responsibilities, we can take you where you need to go. Click here to learn more.
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Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
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Q. "Can you provide service under my extended warranty?"Yes. At Christian Brothers Automotive, we work with all major extended warranty providers to make needed repairs for our customers. If you have an extended warranty, you can discuss your carrier with our team when scheduling an appointment and confirm that the work will be covered. You can find a partial list of the extended warranty companies we work with here.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
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"I liked the customer service and going above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable while waiting in the store for my vehicle work to be done, specifically being offered a nice hot coffee with creamer."
- J.L.