A wheel alignment usually takes about an hour. At our Tyler and Longview shops, an alignment is done within an hour. It can take longer if a part is worn out and has to be replaced first, or if an adjuster bolt is rusted solid.
We do wheel alignments in-house at our Tyler and Longview shops, and every lift and level we install leaves aligned.
Everybody asks how long it'll take, and I get it. Nobody plans their day around sitting in a tire shop lobby. The good news: an alignment is one of the shorter jobs we do. You'll be out before you finish arguing with the vending machine.
How long does a wheel alignment take?
A standard wheel alignment takes about an hour. At our shops it's done within an hour. That covers getting the vehicle on the rack, measuring every angle, making the adjustments and a final check.
That time assumes the parts underneath are healthy. An alignment can only set angles on parts that hold still. If something's loose or worn, it has to be fixed first, and that's where the clock starts running longer.
What is a wheel alignment?
A wheel alignment adjusts the angles of your wheels to the vehicle maker's specs. It doesn't touch the tires themselves. It adjusts the suspension that holds them. Three angles do most of the work, as parts maker Mevotech explains.
| Angle | What it is | What you notice when it's off |
|---|---|---|
| Camber | How far the tire tilts in or out, seen from the front | Wear on the inside or outside edge |
| Caster | The lean of the steering axis, seen from the side | Wandering, or a pull to one side |
| Toe | Whether the tires point in or out, seen from above | Fast, feathered tire wear |
When those three are right, the truck tracks straight, the steering wheel sits centered and the tires wear evenly. When they're wrong, you'll feel it in the steering and see it on the tread. We cover the warning signs in why is my car pulling to the right.
How long does a 4 wheel alignment take?
A 4 wheel alignment still usually fits in about an hour. It checks and adjusts the rear wheels as well as the front. A front-end alignment only adjusts the front wheels, and it's mostly for vehicles with a solid rear axle, as Capital One's car guide lays out.
Which one your vehicle needs depends on its suspension, not on what you'd prefer. Most pickups with a solid rear axle get the front adjusted and the rear checked. Many cars and SUVs with independent rear suspension get all four adjusted.
Need an alignment today? Bring it to either shop and we'll have it done within the hour. See our wheel alignment in Tyler and Longview.
What makes an alignment take longer?
Most of the time, the extra time comes from what we find before we start adjusting. Here's what can stretch it:
- Worn steering or suspension parts. A loose tie rod or ball joint has to be replaced before the alignment will hold. At our shops, tie rods take about an hour and ball joints about two.
- Rusted adjusters. Older trucks fight back. A seized bolt can turn a quick adjustment into a long one.
- A fresh lift or level. The alignment comes after the kit goes on, so the total visit is longer. The alignment part itself doesn't change much.
- A busy day. Calling ahead helps.
Even a bigger job can be one visit. We once leveled a full-size Chevy SUV with 2 inch struts, mounted new wheels and 33 inch tires, programmed the sensors and aligned it, all the same day.
Alignment questions
How long does a wheel alignment take?
How long does a 4 wheel alignment take?
What is a wheel alignment?
Can I wait while you do the alignment?
Do I need an alignment after a lift or level?
Ready to get it straight? We align in-house at both shops, done within the hour. See wheel alignment in Tyler or wheel alignment in Longview, or call Tyler at (903) 500-8557 or Longview at (903) 500-9626.