Straight driving, a centered steering wheel and tires that last
A wheel alignment at Alan Cox Premier Auto Care sets the angles of your wheels back to the factory specs, so your car tracks straight and your tires wear evenly. It is for drivers whose car pulls, whose steering wheel sits crooked, or who just bought new tires and want them to last.
We have served Marietta drivers since 1983. Our ASE Certified technicians check the parts that hold the wheels in place before adjusting anything, because an alignment on worn parts does not hold. We are a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, and qualifying repairs are backed by our 2 year / 24,000 mile warranty. We are close by for drivers in Old Marietta and across Cobb County.
What is a wheel alignment?
A wheel alignment is an adjustment of the angles at which your wheels meet the road, measured against your vehicle maker’s specs. The technician adjusts the suspension and steering linkage so all four wheels point the same direction and sit at the right tilt. It is a separate job from tire balancing, which fixes vibration.
Most cars get a four-wheel alignment, since many have adjustments at the rear as well as the front. Some vehicles only allow adjustment at the front, and the rear is measured to make sure it is in spec.
How do I know if I need a wheel alignment?
You likely need a wheel alignment if the car pulls to one side on a flat road, the steering wheel is off center when you drive straight, or your tires wear faster on one edge. Many drivers first notice it right after hitting a pothole or a curb.
Common signs of an alignment problem:
On a straight, empty, level road, hold the wheel lightly for a few seconds. Most roads slope a little toward the edge for drainage, so a slight drift to the right is normal on many streets. A steady pull, or a crooked steering wheel, is worth a look.
Every wheel alignment sets toe, camber and caster
Toe, camber and caster are the three main wheel alignment angles. Toe is whether the fronts of the tires point in or out, like your feet. Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the tire seen from the front. Caster is the tilt of the steering axis seen from the side, which helps the wheel return to center.
Each angle shows up in a different way. Toe that is off is the biggest tire killer, because the tires scrub sideways a little with every turn of the wheel. Camber that is off wears one edge of the tire, and caster that differs side to side can make the car pull.
Expert tip: If your car needs an alignment more than once a year with no pothole hits, something is likely worn or bent. Angles that keep drifting point to tired bushings, ball joints or tie rods. Fixing that part first is what makes the next alignment last.
What does uneven tire wear say about my wheel alignment?
Uneven tire wear is one of the clearest signs of a wheel alignment problem. Wear on the inside or outside edge usually points to camber or toe. Feathered tread, where each rib feels smooth one way and sharp the other, usually points to toe. Wear across the center or both edges usually means a pressure problem instead.
Run your hand across the tread from the inside of the tire to the outside, then back. If it feels smooth one direction and catches the other, the tire is feathering. Cupping, a pattern of scooped-out spots, usually points to worn shocks or struts, which calls for suspension repair before the alignment.
Expert tip: An alignment stops new uneven wear. It cannot put back tread that is already gone. If a front tire is badly worn on one edge, it may need replacing at the same visit. Catching a pull early saves the tire.
A yearly wheel alignment check protects your tires
Plan on a wheel alignment check about once a year, and any time you buy new tires, hit a hard pothole or curb, or have suspension or steering parts replaced. Many drivers wait for a pull, but alignment can drift enough to wear tires before the car feels different. A yearly check catches that early.
New tires are the most important time to align. A fresh set of tires is a big investment, and a bad alignment can wear thousands of miles off them in a few months. Pair the alignment with tire services like mounting and balancing.
If your steering feels loose or noisy, our steering and alignment service repairs the steering first, because an alignment cannot hold on worn tie rods. You can also ask us to check the alignment during regular auto maintenance.
Can a wheel alignment fix a car that pulls?
Often, yes, and a pull can also come from a tire or a brake. A tire with an internal defect can pull the car, and so can a sticking brake caliper or uneven tire pressure. We check pressures, tires and brakes along with the alignment so the real cause gets fixed.
A simple test helps sort it out. If the pull switches sides when the front tires are swapped left to right, a tire is the cause. If the car pulls mostly when you brake, the brakes need a look through our brake repair service. If it pulls all the time and the steering wheel is crooked, alignment is the likely fix.
Expert tip: If your car started pulling right after new tires went on, tell us right away. Tire-related pull, often called radial pull, can usually be fixed by moving the tires to different positions.
Wheel alignment cost in Marietta depends on your vehicle
Wheel alignment cost depends on whether your car needs a front-only or four-wheel alignment, how many angles are adjustable on your model, and whether any parts are worn, bent or rusted in place. Some vehicles need extra parts, such as camber kits, to reach spec. We give you a clear estimate before any work starts.
If we find a worn tie rod or ball joint during the inspection, Alan Cox Premier Auto Care tells you before going further, since aligning on worn parts wastes your money. Qualifying repairs carry our 2 year / 24,000 mile warranty.
Where can I get a wheel alignment near me in Marietta?
Alan Cox Premier Auto Care is at 1326 Cobb Parkway North in Marietta, close to drivers along the Cobb Corridor and in Kennesaw. 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 your wheel alignment.
If you would like to wait, our waiting area has free Wi-Fi and a private work area for your laptop. Our ASE Certified technicians work on most domestic and import models, with particular experience in Honda, Acura, Toyota and Lexus vehicles, plus Ford and hybrids. Call or contact us today to get your car driving straight again.