How much does a wheel alignment cost?

The cost of a wheel alignment varies based on the size and type of vehicle and the alignment service required. A front-end wheel alignment only involves the two wheels on the front of the car, which typically costs between $50 and $75. Meanwhile, 4-wheel alignment costs tend to be higher at $100-$300.

Remember that mechanics can ask from $367 to $585+ and base the price on an estimated hourly rate, plus the materials costs.

Cost of wheel alignment inspection and repair

If you are driving your vehicle and realize you need to keep the steering wheel pulled to one side to drive in a straight line, it is a sign that the “alignment” is off. This is when you should hire a wheel alignment service, and though a simple issue, it has to be done by an expert. In this wheel alignment cost guide, we’ll learn more about the process, what it will cost, and choose the right provider for the work.

What is wheel alignment? 

Wheel or tire alignment is an adjustment to a vehicle’s suspension (the system that connects the wheels to the rest of the car). Though it sounds as if it is an adjustment to the wheels, it is not. It is an adjustment to the angles of the wheels, and the goal is to ensure they make proper contact with the road surface. The benefits of alignment include:

• Ensuring the vehicle handles properly
• Ensuring even wear on the wheels
• Allowing all four wheels to perform properly (i.e., keeping the car in a controlled direction)
• Eliminating any pulling or vibrating in the steering
• Using less energy (fuel) to operate the vehicle

How do you know you need a wheel alignment?

Although you will require an expert’s opinion to ensure that any problems with a vehicle are due specifically to alignment issues, the most common signs that it is time for a wheel alignment are:

• The tread on one or more wheels is uneven or worn at odd angles.
  
  
• Your vehicle “pulls” to one side or another rather than driving straight. A test is to lift the hands slightly from the wheel while traversing a straight road, and if the vehicle drifts instantly to one side or another, it is “pulling.”
  
  
• The steering wheel seems to vibrate when you are driving at speed.
  
  
• The steering wheel is off-center when you are driving a straight stretch of road (i.e., the center, upright post tilts to one side)
  
  
• It has been more than six months or 6,000 miles since you last had the alignment checked
  
  
• You recently hit a pothole or curb, and the vehicle is handling differently.

If one or more of these signs apply to your vehicle, an alignment is likely needed.

Do I need to hire an expert to do wheel alignment?

In a word: Yes. Whether you bring your vehicle to a garage or work with a provider of mobile services, any wheel alignment requires the use of specialty equipment to be done correctly. It’s also not a DIY job or something you can do with the naked eye. It involves measurement with proper alignment devices, and so it has to be through a qualified professional with the right machinery.

What does wheel alignment involve?

Wheel alignment can mean:

• A front wheel alignment (also called a front-end alignment)
• A four-wheel alignment (usually reserved for four-wheel drive vehicles)

This service mostly depends on the make and model of your vehicle. However, there are usually three specific issues that your technician or mechanic adjusts or measures:

• Camber – This is the angle (outward or inward) of a tire when viewed directly from the front. Tilting too much in either direction (i.e., negative or positive camber) means re-alignment is required. Ignore this, and you get worn out suspension, ball joints, and worn bearings, which are often reasons for the camber to be misaligned.
  
  
• Toe – This is a tire’s angle (outward or inward) when viewed directly from above. When tires are “toe-in” or “toe-out,” it means it is time to re-align.
  
  
• Caster – This is the angle of the “steering axis” determined by looking at the side of the wheel. It can be negative or positive, but it either means that the wheel is misaligned. Caster is what gives balance to the steering and stability to the vehicle, particularly with cornering.

A mechanic looks at camber, toe and caster, and tire wear and ensures everything is fully aligned. Typically, they should also look at steering and suspension components as damaged or faulty parts may need replacing.

The “ride height” might also be part of a wheel alignment as suspension springs can sag and wear, altering the vehicle’s ride height. This affects wheel alignment and can cause negative cath and make it impossible for a mechanic to get a vehicle to proper factory specifications.

Wheel alignment prices for different vehicles

The average cost of wheel alignment can greatly vary depending on your car’s make and model. Here are a few of the main dealers in the US and the respective costs of their wheel alignment service:

Tips for creating a wheel alignment task 

Are you eager to find someone from Airtasker to do your wheel alignment? It is easy to write your listing, wait for providers to respond with offers, compare them, and make your choice. It would be best not to base such a decision on cost alone since customer feedback and time in business are also key factors. 

Here’s a list of issues we recommend you include in any listing:

• The time frame required (emergency, longer amount of time available, etc.)
  
  
• Budget (the amount you have for the project)
  
  
• The make, model, and age of the vehicle, along with notes about other issues you feel might affect the wheel alignment project
  
  
• The materials and parts you will provide (and ask for a quote on them if you want to compare your options)
  
  
• If you require a warranty on labor (and materials if you don’t supply them)
  
  
• Your location (keep in mind that most wheel alignments are done in a garage to have use of the alignment and balancing machines)

The more details you provide, the easier it is for a Tasker to give you an accurate and competitive offer. Keep in mind that most will also use your listing as a guideline for when they arrive to do the work – so accuracy and honesty are essential!

How often should you get an alignment?

You want to get the alignment checked every six months or 6,000 miles. Hitting holes in the pavement, wear and tear on suspension components, “curbing” the car, a small “fender bender,” worn-out spring—these are all issues that can cause a gradual or sudden misalignment in a vehicle. That is why you should get it checked every six months or 6,000 miles.

However, that does not mean it is going to need a wheel alignment on that same schedule. Mechanics agree that wheel alignment is usually required every:

• Two to three years
• When you install new tires
• More often, if you have wider tires or a sports car