WHEEL ALIGNMENTS

Same-Day Estimates Available

20% off Labor Charges!

Wheel Alignment — Complete Brake Service (preview)

A wheel alignment is one of those services that's invisible when it's right and obvious when it's wrong. When it's off, it pulls the steering, wears your tires unevenly, and quietly costs you money in fuel economy and premature replacements. At Complete Brake Service, we've been keeping Columbus drivers' wheels straight since 1986, with computerized alignment equipment and the experience to read what your vehicle is telling us.

What an Alignment Actually Measures

Modern alignment is computerized and precise. Three angles get measured and adjusted on each wheel — when any one is off, your vehicle and your tires both pay the price.

Camber

The vertical tilt of the wheel viewed from the front. If the top of the tire leans inward or outward too far, you'll see uneven wear on the inside or outside edge of the tread.

Caster

The angle of the steering axis viewed from the side. Caster affects steering stability and how well the wheel returns to center after a turn. Off-spec caster usually shows up as wandering or pulling.

Toe

Whether the front of the tires point slightly inward (toe-in) or outward (toe-out) relative to each other. Even small toe errors cause rapid, even-feeling wear across the tread — the most common alignment problem.

Two-Wheel and Four-Wheel Alignment

Front-End (Two-Wheel) Alignment

For older vehicles with non-adjustable rear suspensions, we align just the front wheels. The thrust angle of the rear axle is checked and used as a reference, but no rear adjustments are made.

Four-Wheel Alignment

The standard service for most modern vehicles, AWD/4WD systems, and trucks with adjustable rear suspensions. All four wheels are measured and brought into spec — necessary to keep modern multi-link suspensions performing properly.

Trusted in Columbus Since 1986

580 W Town St, Columbus, OH 43215  ·  Mon–Fri 8a–6p  ·  Sat 9a–2p

Signs Your Vehicle Needs an Alignment

Alignment problems usually announce themselves through the steering wheel, the tires, or the way the car feels at speed. Here's what to watch for.

Vehicle pulls to one sideIf you have to keep steering pressure on the wheel just to drive straight, alignment is the most likely cause.
Steering wheel is off-centerDriving straight while the wheel sits at an angle is a classic alignment symptom.
Uneven tire wearOne edge of the tread wearing faster than the other points to camber or toe issues.
Squealing tires on turnsTires being dragged at the wrong angle make noise that proper alignment eliminates.
You hit a pothole or curb hardMajor impacts can knock alignment out of spec immediately. Worth checking.
You just got new tiresAn alignment check protects your tire investment from day one. Bad alignment ruins new tires fast.

Get Your Wheels Pointing Straight

Computerized precision, fair pricing, and the experience to spot alignment-related issues before they become tire-replacement bills.

Schedule a Service Call (614) 221-4888

Why Columbus Drivers Choose CBS for Alignments

Computerized Precision

Modern alignment is a measurement game, not a guessing game. Our equipment reads camber, caster, and toe to fractions of a degree on every wheel.

Decades of Experience

Since 1986, we've seen every alignment quirk and every cause — worn ball joints, sagging springs, bent control arms. We diagnose the cause, not just the symptom.

Tire-Life Math, Not Sales Pitches

If your vehicle truly doesn't need an alignment, we won't sell you one. If it does, we'll show you the before-and-after readings so you can see exactly what changed.

Honest About Underlying Issues

Sometimes alignment is the symptom of a worn suspension component. We'll tell you when that's the case rather than aligning over a problem that'll come right back.

Wheel Alignment Questions, Answered

The questions Columbus drivers ask us most about alignment.

How often should I get a wheel alignment?

Most vehicles benefit from an alignment check every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or once a year, whichever comes first. You should also have alignment checked any time you install new tires, after a hard impact like a pothole or curb strike, or when you notice any pulling, off-center steering, or uneven tire wear.

What's the difference between alignment and tire balancing?

They're different services that solve different problems. Tire balancing equalizes the weight distribution around each individual tire and wheel, fixing vibration. Wheel alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels relative to each other and the road, fixing pulling, uneven wear, and steering issues. Most vehicles need both periodically.

How long does a wheel alignment take?

A standard alignment typically takes 60 to 90 minutes once we get to your vehicle. If we find worn suspension or steering components that need replacement before alignment can hold, we'll quote that work separately and let you know the timing impact.

Do I need a four-wheel alignment or just front-end?

It depends on your vehicle. Older cars and trucks with non-adjustable rear suspensions can get a front-end (two-wheel) alignment. Most modern vehicles, AWD/4WD systems, and many newer pickups have adjustable rear suspensions and need a four-wheel alignment for proper handling and even tire wear. We'll determine the right service for your specific vehicle when you bring it in.

Does new tire installation include alignment?

Not automatically — alignment is a separate service. But we strongly recommend an alignment whenever you install new tires. Putting fresh tires on a misaligned vehicle wastes the investment; even small alignment errors can shave thousands of miles off a new set's life.

Can hitting a pothole knock my alignment out?

Yes — and it's one of the most common causes we see. A hard pothole impact, a curb strike when parking, or a serious bump can shift suspension components enough to change camber or toe immediately. If your steering or tracking changed after an impact, get it checked promptly.

Will my car drive better after an alignment?

If alignment was the issue, yes — noticeably. Steering returns to center, the vehicle tracks straight without constant correction, tire noise from dragging tires goes away, and fuel economy often improves slightly because the tires are no longer fighting the road. If you don't feel a difference, alignment probably wasn't the underlying issue and we should look further.

Image