If you just had suspension or steering work done, you may have been told you also need an alignment — and it's a reasonable thing to want explained rather than just taking on faith.
Why Alignment Angles Change
Wheel alignment is set by the specific position of suspension and steering components relative to each other. Parts like control arms, tie rods, and struts directly determine your vehicle's toe, camber, and caster angles. Replacing any of these components changes those angles, even if only slightly, because the new part doesn't sit in exactly the same position as the old, worn one.
Which Repairs Typically Require an Alignment
- Tie rod or tie rod end replacement
- Control arm replacement
- Strut or strut assembly replacement
- Ball joint replacement
- Any repair following an accident or significant impact
What Happens If You Skip It
Driving with alignment angles out of specification — even after a repair that fixed the original issue — leads to uneven tire wear and can affect handling. Skipping the alignment after suspension work often means the new parts' benefit is undermined by tires wearing unevenly.
In most cases, an alignment after suspension work isn't an upsell — it's part of finishing the repair correctly. See our wheel alignment page for more detail.
Call or Visit Commack Auto Works →