Wheel alignment in Calgary
From $119.99 plus tax, depending on your vehicle. For cars that pull, steering wheels that sit crooked, and tires wearing on one edge.
A wheel alignment sets your wheel angles (toe, camber and caster) back to factory spec so the car tracks straight and tires wear evenly. Signs you need one: pulling, an off-centre steering wheel, or tires wearing on one edge. At our NE Calgary shop, alignments start at $119.99 plus tax; final price depends on your vehicle.
Spring in Calgary means potholes. You hit one on Deerfoot, the car feels fine, and a month later you notice the steering wheel sits a little to the left when you're driving straight. That's your alignment. It doesn't take a big hit, either. Curbs, speed bumps taken too fast and ordinary wear on suspension parts all shift it over time.
We inspect and re-align every make and model at our shop in NE Calgary. Alignment starts at $119.99 plus tax, and the final price depends on your vehicle. Before we adjust anything, we check the steering and suspension, because an alignment set on a worn tie rod end won't stay put.
What the three angles mean
Despite the name, the adjustments are made to the suspension that holds the wheels. Three angles matter most.
- Toe: whether the fronts of the tires point in or out, seen from above. Even a small toe error scrubs the tread sideways and wears tires fast, often leaving a feathered edge you can feel with your hand.
- Camber: the inward or outward tilt of the tire, seen from the front. Too much of it wears the inner or outer edge of the tread.
- Caster: the forward or backward tilt of the steering axis. It affects straight-line stability and how the steering wheel returns to centre after a turn. Uneven caster from side to side can make the car pull.
Signs your alignment is off
One thing to know first: roads are built with a slight crown so water drains off, so a gentle drift toward the curb can be normal. If the car pulls on a flat parking lot, or it started recently, get it checked. Pulling can also come from a tire problem or a sticking brake, which is one more reason we inspect before we adjust.
- The car drifts or pulls to one side on a straight, flat road
- The steering wheel is off-centre while you're driving straight
- Tires wearing faster on the inside or outside edge
- Loose or vague steering, or the car wandering on the highway
- Tires squealing on gentle turns
When to get an alignment
No single interval fits every car. A yearly check is a sensible habit with Calgary's freeze and thaw potholes, and on top of that, get an alignment in these situations.
- When you install new tires, so they wear evenly from the start
- After replacing tie rod ends, struts, control arms or other steering and suspension parts
- After a hard pothole or curb hit
- Any time you notice the signs above
How it goes at the shop
Inspection
We look at your tire wear and check the tie rod ends, ball joints and the rest of the front end for play.
Measure
We measure your current angles against your vehicle's specs.
Adjust
We set toe, camber and caster wherever your vehicle allows. Many cars only have toe adjustment from the factory, and we'll tell you if yours is one of them.
Explain
You get a rundown of what we found, including any worn parts, and what we'd suggest next.
Questions we hear a lot
Still not sure? Call 403-454-7500 and ask. It's free to ask.
How much is a wheel alignment in Calgary?
Our alignments start at $119.99 plus tax. The final price depends on your vehicle, because some have more adjustment points than others, and seized adjusters or worn parts can add time. If we find something that would keep the alignment from holding, we'll show you and quote it before going further.
How long does a wheel alignment take?
Most alignments take around an hour of shop time. It takes longer if adjusters are seized from road salt, or if a worn part has to be replaced first so the alignment will hold. Call 403-454-7500 and we'll give you a realistic time for your vehicle.
What's the difference between an alignment and wheel balancing?
An alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels so they point the right way and the car tracks straight. Balancing adds small weights to each wheel so it spins evenly without shaking. Bad alignment shows up as pulling and uneven tire wear. A wheel out of balance usually shows up as vibration in the steering wheel or seat at highway speed.
Can bad alignment cause vibration?
Not usually. Misalignment causes pulling, a crooked steering wheel and uneven tire wear, but it rarely makes the car shake. Vibration more often comes from a wheel out of balance, a damaged tire, a bent rim or worn suspension parts. Badly misaligned tires can develop uneven wear that eventually causes noise or vibration, though, so one problem can lead to the other.
Do I need a two-wheel or four-wheel alignment?
That depends on the vehicle. Most modern cars and crossovers have independent rear suspension that should be checked and set along with the front, which is a four-wheel alignment. Many trucks with a solid rear axle only need the front adjusted, with the rear checked as a reference. We'll tell you which your vehicle needs when you book.
Book an alignment
Call 403-454-7500 or stop by 404 40 Ave NE. Open Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM.