Signs You Need an Alignment in Hillsboro, KS
The short answer
You probably need an alignment if the car drifts, the steering wheel sits crooked when you drive straight, or a tire is wearing faster on one edge.
On our roads it rarely takes much: a winter of potholes, a summer of washboard gravel, or one hard hit on a cattle guard outside Marion is enough to shift things. An alignment is not a big job, but skipping one costs you tires, so bring it in, or we will come and get it.
Call or text (620) 416-0008. Describe the noise. We'll do the rest.
We answer texts the same day we get them.
Alignment trouble, decoded
Tap the ones that sound like yours.
You ticked 0. That is worth a look.
Text us which onesHow we check and set an alignment at Moxie
We check the parts before we align. If a worn tie rod or ball joint is letting the wheel move, we tell you, because an alignment on loose parts will not last.
We measure all four wheels, not just the front. Many vehicles can be adjusted at the rear too, and a rear wheel that is off makes the whole vehicle crab down the road.
We show you the numbers. You get the before and after readings, so you can see what moved and what we set.
Then we road-test it. It should track straight with the steering wheel level, whether you are going across town or up I-135.
Why Hillsboro brings its alignments to Moxie
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Hunter alignment equipment
Accurate alignment for every make, including the pickups and fleet vans that work the roads around Hillsboro.
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Before and after readings
You see exactly what was out and what we set, instead of taking our word for it.
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An ASE-certified technician
Our technician is ASE certified in engine repair, automatic transmissions and drivetrains, and Moxie pays for ASE testing for the whole team.
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Warranty good at over 17,000 shops
Repairs carry the NAPA nationwide warranty for 24 months or 24,000 miles.
Call or text (620) 416-0008. Describe the noise. We'll do the rest.
Alignment myths we hear at the counter
Hover or tap a card to flip it.
Sounds like yours? Tell us what it is doing and we will tell you straight.
Can I keep driving?
Yes, it is not an emergency, but it is costing you tires.
A car that needs an alignment is usually safe to drive while you book it in. The longer you wait, though, the more tread it scrubs off, and a strong pull is tiring on a long drive. If the steering feels loose or clunks, or the pull came on suddenly, that is more than an alignment, and it needs a look soon.
Stop driving and call us if
- The steering feels loose or clunks over bumps
- The pull is strong or came on suddenly
- The car pulls only when you brake
- A tire is worn down to the cords on one edge
Want the details?
Tap any of these to open it.
What knocks alignments out around here
- Potholes after the freeze and thaw of winter
- Washboard gravel and county roads, which shake the settings loose over time
- Curbs, parking blocks and cattle guards
- Worn steering and suspension parts, such as tie rods and ball joints
- Lifting or leveling a truck, which changes the angles
- Heavy loads and towing, which strain the suspension
How we diagnose a wheel alignment in Hillsboro
- We check and set the tire pressures first, since a low tire can imitate an alignment problem.
- We look at the wear on every tire, because the pattern tells us which angle is off.
- We check the tie rods, ball joints and bushings, since an alignment will not hold on worn parts.
- We measure all four wheels on our Hunter equipment and compare them with the maker's specification.
- Then we show you the readings and explain what they mean.
A wheel alignment across five Kansas counties
We look after drivers across Marion County, Harvey County, McPherson County, Chase County and Lyon County, with free pickup and delivery within 40 road miles of 611 Orchard Dr, Hillsboro.
Alignment questions we hear every week
How often should I get an alignment?
There is no single right answer for every vehicle, and your maker's schedule is a good place to start. On rough country roads it is worth checking more often, and any time you get new tires, replace a steering part or hit something hard. We can check it while your vehicle is in for something else.
Is an alignment the same as balancing?
It is not. An alignment sets the angles so the wheels point straight, while balancing makes each tire spin smoothly without shaking. A pull or uneven wear points to the alignment, and a shake at speed usually points to balance.
Do I need an alignment with new tires?
It is a good idea, because new tires on a bad alignment start wearing unevenly from the first mile. If the old tires wore evenly and the car drives straight, the alignment may be fine, and we will tell you so honestly.