Part 3: What Every Driver Should Ask Before Trusting a Shop With Their Alignment
This is Part 3 of our 6-part series: Wheel Alignment Myths & Mistakes That Cost You Thousands. Most alignment shops won’t be intentionally dishonest - but they’re counting on you not knowing what to ask. This article gives you the exact questions that empower you to make a good choice.
Put Your Alignment Shop on the Spot
Before you hand over your keys, hit them with these. If they hesitate, change the subject, or stumble for an answer - you just saved yourself from a bad alignment.
The “Are You Actually Qualified?” Questions
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“How much experience does my alignment tech have—years and number of alignments?”
If they can’t give a number, assume it's low. “He’s certified” doesn’t mean he knows what he's doing. Ask, what certification and how long did it take to get certified. -
“Have they been trained on suspension-specific systems, or just tire and general mechanic equipment?”
Many techs are tire pros or general techincians - but that doesn’t make them suspension specialist.
The “What Will You Actually Check?” Questions
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“Will you inspect my suspension and steering system before aligning?”
If they say “it’s not part of the alignment,” walk away. -
“Which angles do you measure and adjust?”
Toe, camber, caster, thrust angle, and SAI should all be on the list. If they only say toe & camber they’re skipping most of the job.
The “Show Me” Question
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“Will I get a digital inspection report and a copy of the alignment before & after specifications/measurements?”
If there’s no proof, there’s probably no precision. Transperancy is everything when it comes to wheel alignments.
Bonus: The One Question Most Shops Hate
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“If my vehicle still pulls (or has other issues) after the alignment, what’s your plan?”
This reveals whether they’ll actually diagnose the issue - or just tell you it’s “within spec” and send you on your way. Can they actually identify and repair other isuues that may be found.
You don’t need to be a mechanic to protect your vehicle - you just need to ask better questions. The right ones make all the difference.
At Spring Works, the answers are: Yes, We have 30 years of specialized suspension experience, We will thoroughly check your suspension & steering, You will Receive a Digital Inspection Report & Alignment printout, and if any problems are found with your suspension we can and will fix it. Make an Appointment To Get Your Alignment Done Right.
