Steering repair first, then an alignment to finish the job
Steering and alignment service at Alan Cox Premier Auto Care starts with the steering system itself. If your steering wheel feels loose, heavy, noisy or vague, something between your hands and the front wheels needs attention. We find that part, repair it, then align the car so it drives straight.
Our shop has served Marietta since 1983, and our ASE Certified technicians work on most domestic and import models, including the power steering systems on Honda, Toyota, Acura and Lexus vehicles. We are a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, and qualifying repairs carry our 2 year / 24,000 mile warranty. We are close by for drivers in Fair Oaks and the rest of Cobb County.
What does steering and alignment service include?
Steering and alignment service includes inspecting and repairing the parts that turn your front wheels, then aligning the wheels once those parts are sound. We check the steering rack, inner and outer tie rods, power steering pump, hoses and fluid, or the electric assist on newer cars. The alignment comes last so it holds.
Most cars today use rack-and-pinion steering. When you turn the wheel, a gear moves a bar (the rack) left or right, and tie rods on each end push and pull the front wheels. Power assist, from a hydraulic pump or an electric motor, makes that easy at parking-lot speeds.
Signs your steering needs attention include:
Why does my steering feel loose or wander on the road?
Loose or wandering steering usually comes from worn outer tie rod ends, worn inner tie rods, a worn steering rack or loose rack mounts. These parts develop slack over time, so the wheel can move before the tires respond. On I-75 or I-575, that slack makes the car drift in its lane and makes long drives tiring.
Worn ball joints and other parts covered under suspension repair can feel similar, which is why our steering and alignment inspection checks both systems together. Tie rods matter for safety. If an outer tie rod end separates, the wheel on that side is no longer connected to the steering wheel.
Expert tip: Try a quick check in a parking lot with the engine running. Rock the steering wheel gently left and right and watch the front tire. If the wheel moves an inch or more before the tire starts to turn, have the steering checked soon.
A steering wheel that is hard to turn needs steering and alignment work
Heavy steering usually means the power assist is weak or gone. On hydraulic systems, the cause is often low power steering fluid, a worn pump, a slipping belt or a clogged hose. On electric systems, it is often a fault in the assist motor, a sensor or the wiring, which usually turns on a warning light.
Low tire pressure and a binding suspension part can also make steering feel stiff, so we check those too. If the steering is hard only on cold mornings and loosens up as the car warms, the seals inside the rack may be wearing.
What causes a whining or clunking noise when I turn the steering wheel?
A whine when turning usually points to low power steering fluid or a pump starting to fail. A clunk or knock when turning often comes from a worn tie rod end, steering rack mount or strut mount. Both noises tell you a part is wearing, and catching them early keeps the repair smaller.
Power steering fluid leaks are common on older cars with hydraulic steering. Look for an oily, reddish or amber spot under the front of the car, or wet hoses near the pump. Topping off only quiets the whine for a while, and a pump that runs low on fluid wears out quickly.
Expert tip: Never add just any fluid to the power steering reservoir. Many Honda and Acura models call for their own power steering fluid, and the wrong type can damage seals. Check the owner’s manual or the cap, or let us top it off with the correct fluid.
Newer cars with electric power steering still need steering and alignment care
Electric power steering uses a motor on the steering column or rack, guided by sensors that read how hard you turn the wheel. It has no pump, belt or fluid. Most newer cars use it, including many Honda, Toyota and Lexus models, and hybrids rely on it because the engine often shuts off while driving.
Electric steering needs less routine care, and it can still fail. Common problems include a steering warning light, assist that cuts in and out, or steering that feels heavier in one direction. These problems often trace back to a sensor, a connector or low voltage, so we scan for codes and check the charging system before replacing any part. Our electrical system repair and hybrid repair experience both come into play here.
Expert tip: If a steering warning light comes on, find a safe place to stop and restart the car. The light may reset, but the stored code stays in memory and tells us what happened. Write down when it came on and what you were doing, and bring the car in even if the light goes away.
Why is alignment the last step of steering and alignment service?
New tie rods, a steering rack or other steering parts change the angle of the front wheels the moment they go in. An alignment after steering repair sets those angles back to factory specs and centers the steering wheel. Doing it last means the car drives straight on parts that are tight and sound.
Aligning a car with worn tie rods wastes money, because the loose parts let the angles shift again within days. That is why Alan Cox Premier Auto Care inspects the steering first and aligns second. Our wheel alignment page covers the angles in more detail.
Steering and alignment cost in Marietta depends on the failed part
Steering and alignment cost depends on which part has failed, whether your car has hydraulic or electric steering, your make and model, and whether an alignment is needed afterward. Replacing an outer tie rod end is a smaller job than replacing a steering rack. We give you a clear estimate before any work starts.
We explain which repairs are urgent and which can wait. Fixing a small leak or a single tie rod early often prevents a pump or rack replacement later. Qualifying repairs are covered by our 2 year / 24,000 mile warranty, and financing is available for bigger jobs.
Where can I get steering and alignment service near me in Marietta?
Alan Cox Premier Auto Care is at 1326 Cobb Parkway North in Marietta, a short drive from Whitlock and The Summit at Piedmont. We are open Monday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Tuesday through Saturday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (770) 427-1745 to schedule a steering check.
We have served Cobb County since 1983, and our ASE Certified technicians explain what they find before any work begins. If you commute during the week, after-hours drop-off lets you leave the car without missing work, and our shuttle service helps when a repair takes longer. Call or contact us today and get your steering feeling tight and steady again.