Changed the height, change the alignment
A lift kit, a leveling kit, bigger tires, or a set of lowering springs all do the same thing to a vehicle's geometry: they move it. The angles that were correct at the factory ride height are no longer correct at the new one.
That is true even when the vehicle looks straight and drives acceptably. Raising the front of a pickup changes the angle of the wheels in a way that is hard to feel and easy to see on the tires a few thousand miles later, worn on one edge.
Three moments call for an alignment on a modified vehicle:
- Right after the change. Any time the ride height moves, the alignment should be set at the new height.
- After it settles. New springs can settle slightly over the first weeks. A check after that period catches it.
- When the tire size changes. Larger tires load the steering and suspension differently.
If the vehicle came to you already modified, it is worth asking when it was last aligned at its current height. Often nobody knows.
Stock vehicles too
A standard car or SUV needs the same attention for simpler reasons: a hard curb strike, new tires, or a steering wheel that sits off center on a straight road. Uneven wear on the inside or outside edge of a front tire is the usual giveaway.
Worn parts first
An alignment set on worn components will not hold. Loose tie rod ends or tired bushings let the angles move under load, and the alignment drifts again. Suspension repair is at this store, so worn parts can be replaced first. A vibration rather than a pull is usually tire and wheel balancing. The national alignment page covers how the check works.
Other stores nearby
Tremonton and the Salt Lake City commercial and consumer store also align cars and light trucks.
About this store
The Ogden store carries all nine Purcell tire categories, stays open until 5:30 PM on weekdays, and is managed by Mike Theis.
See the national car and light truck alignment page for all 40 locations.