What to Expect at Your Alignment Appointment
An alignment visit follows a straightforward sequence. First, our technicians mount your vehicle on the alignment rack and take a full computerized measurement of your wheel angles, comparing each reading against your manufacturer’s specifications. Second, we walk you through the findings in plain language and provide a clear, upfront estimate. No work begins without your approval. Third, once you’ve given the go-ahead, we adjust the suspension components until every wheel tracks correctly, then confirm the result with a road test.
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.
Colorado Roads & Your Alignment
Lafayette’s freeze-thaw cycle is hard on pavement. When groundwater under the road freezes and expands, then thaws and contracts, it weakens the surface and opens potholes. State highways and city-maintained streets both go through this cycle every winter, which means routine driving can knock your wheels out of alignment without a single dramatic impact.
Correct alignment reduces uneven tire wear, improves handling, and can improve your fuel efficiency. Keeping your angles within specification is one of the simpler ways to protect your tires and suspension over Colorado’s long driving seasons.
Signs Your Vehicle May Need an Alignment
Lafayette’s roads give your suspension plenty of opportunities to shift. The most common signs that your wheels are out of alignment include the vehicle pulling to one side, a steering wheel that sits crooked when you’re driving straight, uneven or unusually rapid tire wear, and vibration through the wheel. Potholes and curb strikes are the usual culprits, and Colorado’s freeze-thaw cycle means those encounters happen year-round.
If any of these sound familiar, schedule a wheel alignment check before tire wear makes the problem more expensive to fix. Our complimentary shuttle service means you don’t have to wait at the shop while we work. Call Christian Brothers Automotive Lafayette at (303) 622-3466 to book your appointment.
Front-End, Four-Wheel & Thrust Angle Alignment Explained
Not every alignment service is the same, and the right one depends on your vehicle’s drivetrain and suspension design.
A front-end alignment adjusts the angles of the two front wheels only. It’s suited for vehicles where the rear suspension geometry is fixed and non-adjustable. A four-wheel alignment goes further, measuring and adjusting all four wheels to precise manufacturer specifications. This is the standard recommendation for most modern vehicles with independent rear suspension. A thrust angle alignment checks whether the rear axle is centered and tracking parallel to the vehicle’s centerline. When the rear axle points slightly off-center, the vehicle “dog-tracks” with the rear end offset from the front, creating handling problems even when the front wheels appear straight.
As a general rule, an alignment check is worthwhile after hitting a significant pothole or curb, after suspension repairs, and periodically as part of routine maintenance. Frequency depends on your vehicle and driving conditions. Our technicians can tell you what makes sense for your specific car after reviewing the inspection results.
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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"Just a quick thank you to CHRISTIAN brothers and the entire staff. my service there was done swiftly and completely. the report was amazing and very detailed. hanging out in there waiting area was very comfortable. they are a wonderful business and I will "
- Sonja Motley