How Long Does an Alignment Take? Things You Need To Know

Are you aware of technicalities if the most crucial part of your vehicle? Do you know how long your tires will take to be aligned? Are you confused about the alignment techniques of your two-wheelers and four-wheelers? Is it difficult for you to tell which tire is out of balance? Are you unsure about the cost and pricing of the service?

If the whole process of the servicing of your vehicle confuses you, here are the answers to all your doubts about tire alignment and the details of every tire alignment-related technicality. Read the article to get a clear idea of the duration and procedure of tire alignments and get your tire servicing scheduled accordingly.

When a vehicle starts displaying issues in performance and movement it is important to pay attention to the tires of the vehicle. Since tire alignment is a very crucial factor to keep in mind as a vehicle gets older it is wise to understand what tire alignment is and how much time it can consume.  Wheel or tire alignment is an adjustment done in the suspension system that is attached to the wheel and is not concerned with adjusting the wheels themselves. 

To get an accurate aligning service for your vehicle it is crucial to pay attention to the workshop that you chose for the same. It is best to choose a workshop that has alignment machines that are pre-programmed with the measurements of your car. This will help you get a precise alignment of your wheels. It is also important to check the suspension parts of your car and tighten the bolts and repair and change parts with defects before beginning the alignment procedure for the wheels.

How Long Does It Take to Change Four Tires?

Changing four tires on average takes around 45 minutes. It can typically take anywhere between thirty minutes to an hour in this procedure. It also depends on the expertise of the mechanic and the fluency he has with the procedure. Each tire of the vehicle can take around 10-15 minutes each. With automated tools available on today’s date, the procedure may also take much lesser time. One must take a test drive before and after the alignment is done. This helps in identifying if the problem in the tires has been accurately handled or no. The test drive after the procedure also ensures that all the things are in place and the service on your vehicle was successful and that your vehicle is ready to go!!!

How Long Does It Take to Balance Tires? 

The detection of uneven rolling of a tire due to reasons such as irregular weight distribution and its correction is called balancing of tires. A set of four tires can be balanced anywhere between 45 minutes to two hours. Older tires that have experienced more bumps and unevenness generally take longer in balancing when compared to newer tires with minor misbalancing caused during storage and shipping. 

Tire balancing also often comes added with other services like tire removal and remounting which may add to the total time taken in the servicing of the tire of your vehicle. The balancing of wheels is generally an accompanying procedure done along with the alignment of the tire. Hence, it is safe to say that a time period of anywhere between 45 minutes to 2 hours will be enough for the balancing of the wheels in the right measurements with the use of proper machines.

How Long Does Front End Alignment Take?

A front-end wheel alignment should typically take an average of one hour under normal circumstances, for both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles. However, if the damage is excessive and or there are damages in the suspension system, steering bushing, track rod, or other parts, the process might take longer than usual because there might be requirements for replacements of certain components in the system.

Does Wheel Alignment Take Long ?

The average time that is required in the process of alignment of wheels is about an hour for any car, be it a four-wheel or a two-wheel. The waiting time depending on the service center and the mechanic might vary and is not included in this period. The time taken might extend and can be much longer if the system damages are severe. If the ball joint, track rod, suspension, or steering bushing has too much damage then they might need replacement and this will take longer than the time duration required for the alignment under normal circumstances. Hence, the time required for the alignment of the tires of a car is highly dependent on the condition of the car when it is brought in for service. The waiting time is also another varying addition to the time taken in the technical procedures of the alignment.

How Much Should Alignment Cost?

 Depending on the model of the car and the complications in the suspension system the cost of the alignment might vary. The price is also dependent on other factors such as the requirement of any repair or corrections required in the vehicle before the alignment takes place. The advancement of the wheel alignment machine and tools used also affect the cost of alignment. The prices also differ depending on whether the car is a two-wheel or a four-wheel and the suspension system of the car. To get four wheels aligned, one can expect to pay an average of $200. 

Signs of a Bad Alignment

• Drifting to One Side: Your vehicle tends to pull or drift towards the left or right when you’re trying to drive straight. This is a common sign of misaligned wheels.
• High-Volume Noises: You may hear unusual high-volume noises, especially when driving at high speeds. This can indicate alignment issues.
• Steering Wheel Vibration: The steering wheel may vibrate while driving, which can be a result of uneven tire wear or misalignment.
• Uneven Tire Wear: Tires may wear unevenly if the alignment is off, causing safety and performance issues.
• Crooked Steering Wheel: The steering wheel may not be centered even when driving straight, indicating a potential alignment problem.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to get your vehicle’s alignment checked and corrected to ensure safe and efficient driving.

How Long Does Alignment Last ? 

The answer to this question depends on your usage of the vehicle. The lasting of the alignment depends on several factors including the condition of the road that you drive on, your personal driving habits, and the conditions of the suspension parts and wheels of your vehicle. A hard-driving condition, where your vehicle faces conditions like high-speed driving through pumps or potholes, damages the alignment of the vehicle much sooner when compared to a vehicle that is put under lighter driving conditions.

It is also just as important to balance your wheels as it is to get them aligned. Many experts also suggest that one must get the wheels of their cars balanced every time they go for alignment service. 

How Often Should You Get Tire Alignment ?

The variations in the duration and time gap between your tire alignment services are dependent on the conditions under which your car is kept. However, if you take an average figure, it is recommended by most expert mechanics to get an alignment every two to three years to keep your tires aligned and have a longer life. One can also follow the owner’s manual given along with their vehicle to get an idea of how often the wheels of their particular car must be balanced and aligned. If there is no mention of when to get your wheels checked and serviced in the owner’s manual, it is safest to bring your car in for checking at least once a year.  

Conclusion

Driving with bad alignment or unaligned wheels is never advisable because it brings a risk of potential road accidents. There are possibilities of losing control of a vehicle while driving with unaligned wheels as it might easily drift in different directions which might cause hazardous accidents.

Though unaligned wheels are a normal and expected situation as a vehicle gets older and experiences more bumpy roads and high-speed driving, it is important to understand that it is not safe to keep your vehicle unaligned for long when it is under regular use. It is best to get the wheels checked and get them serviced after you see the first visible signs of unaligned wheels. One must not overlook the service of alignment and balancing especially after getting a new set of tires for their vehicle. This helps in maintaining the life of the wheels. 

Tire alignment is a slightly long but very crucial procedure and it is best to know about all the technicalities related in order to be a responsible vehicle owner. The choice of the workshop for the same should be done wisely. It is also best to have an idea of the signs of nonalignment and the approximate time that will be required in this procedure to help in the scheduling and planning of the check-up and servicing of your vehicle. It is also best to have an idea about the possible factors that can affect the pricing and cost of the service. It is advisable to know all about the procedure related to the service to keep your wheels maintained and have a better lifespan.

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