What to Expect With an Alignment
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.
If you're concerned about the tread on your tires, we recommend the “penny test” to check your tread depth. Simply insert a penny into your tire's tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, your tread depth is less than 2/32 inch and it's time to replace your tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a misaligned suspension affect my long-term tire lifespan?
When your wheels are not tracking perfectly parallel, the tires are effectively dragged sideways across the asphalt rather than rolling smoothly. This continuous lateral friction creates intense thermal stress and localized abrasion, scraping away your tread blocks unevenly and forcing you to invest in expensive replacement sets much sooner than expected.
What is the difference between a front-end alignment and a four-wheel alignment?
A front-end calibration focuses exclusively on adjusting the steering components of your front axle, which is generally suitable for older trucks with solid rear designs. A four-wheel adjustment calibrates all four independent hubs simultaneously, ensuring the rear wheels track directly behind the front wheels for maximum stability and optimal handling.
Can hitting a single curb or pothole instantly throw my car alignment off?
Yes, absolutely. A sudden, high-impact force from a deep pothole or concrete parking barrier can easily overpower your suspension's structural tolerances, bending a control arm or slipping an adjustment eccentric out of place. We highly recommend scheduling a professional wheel alignment check immediately following any significant suspension impact.
Why does my steering wheel shake when my wheels are out of calibration?
A vibrating steering wheel often points to an alignment angle that is fighting against your vehicle's direction of travel, creating rapid mechanical oscillations. This structural vibration can also indicate that your tires have developed flat spots due to uneven wear or that your wheels require a computerized dynamic balancing service.
How often should I have my vehicle alignment checked as part of vehicle maintenance?
As a general rule for dependable preventative care, we highly recommend having your alignment checked every 6,000 miles or during every routine oil change service. Regular inspections allow our certified technicians to catch minor geometric adjustments early, protecting your steering linkages from experiencing accelerated mechanical wear over time.
Schedule Your Precision Wheel Alignment Service Today
Maintaining a properly calibrated suspension loop is essential for maximizing your fuel economy, extending your tire tread life, and ensuring predictable vehicle control on every local drive. Our advanced facility combines state-of-the-art alignment machinery with factory data parameters to restore your car's original ride characteristics cleanly. We focus on providing a transparent, elite service experience that keeps your car dependable.
Don't let poor tracking or an off-center wheel ruin your daily driving experience and waste your tire investment. Trust the certified auto technicians at Christian Brothers Automotive Montgomery to deliver the accurate diagnostics and premium workmanship your vehicle requires.
Book your wheel alignment service online or call us at (334) 539-0180 to schedule your appointment.
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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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"Great friend of the Steve Kisner family. Thank you and God bless for what you did...Jeff"
- jeff Grossett