A poorly aligned truck doesn’t just ride rough—it quietly chews through tires, fuel, suspension components, and even your profits. Whether you’re hauling across the Rockies or idling through I-25 traffic in Colorado Springs, alignment issues can snowball into serious downtime and costly repairs if left unchecked.
At Capital Truck Repair, we’ve seen firsthand how preventable alignment mistakes can turn a simple maintenance task into a five-figure fix. In this article, we’ll cover the five most expensive alignment mistakes and show you exactly how to avoid them like a pro.
Mistake #1 – Delaying Your Alignment Service
Let’s be real—alignment isn’t glamorous. It doesn’t leak, smoke, or trigger a fault code, so many drivers and fleet managers push it off until the tires start showing wear. By then, though, the damage is already done.
Why This Is a Problem:
- Uneven camber or toe leads to premature inner or outer tire wear, requiring early replacement.
- Misalignment increases rolling resistance, slashing fuel efficiency across long hauls.
- Continued driving while misaligned causes excess stress on kingpins, tie rods, and steering components.
Regular alignments don’t just maintain ride comfort, they prevent uneven wear, protect your steering and suspension, and reduce rolling resistance. Delaying this basic service can increase tire replacement frequency by 30% or more.
It’s best to set a mileage-based alignment schedule, typically every 50,000–70,000 miles, or after any major suspension work or curb strike.
Mistake #2 – Only Aligning the Front Axle
This one’s a classic rookie move. A lot of shops and drivers think adjusting the steer axle is enough to "fix the problem." But with multi-axle trucks and trailers, that logic just doesn’t fly. Some issues include:
- Ignoring rear alignment leads to dog-tracking, where the truck doesn't drive straight even when the wheel is centered.
- Misaligned drive axles can overload suspension components, especially air ride and bushings.
- Partial alignment hides systemic issues, resulting in recurring tire wear patterns and wasted repair dollars.
Your drive axles, trailer tandems, and even tag axles all affect tracking. If one’s off by even a few degrees, your truck will drift, scrub tires, and put unnecessary stress on your driveline and rear suspension.
When looking for service, remember to ask for a complete alignment service that includes all axles, not just the front. Use a laser or computerized system for precision.
Mistake #3 – Ignoring Ride Height Before Alignment
Modern alignments are all about geometry—and that geometry gets thrown off when your ride height is out of spec. Whether you're running air suspension or heavy-duty leaf springs, the height of your chassis determines alignment angles like caster, camber, and toe.
We can’t tell you how many trucks we’ve seen aligned to incorrect specs because the air bags weren’t inflated properly or the leaf springs were sagging. It’s a foundational error that throws off every adjustment afterward.
Why This Is a Problem:
- Incorrect ride height skews caster angle, which causes unstable steering and driver fatigue.
- Misalignment due to ride height issues increases bushing and shock absorber wear.
- Improper frame height alters pinion angle, stressing your U-joints and driveshafts.
Before any alignment, inspect and correct ride height. For air suspension, ensure your leveling valves are calibrated and bags are holding pressure. For leaf spring setups, check for broken leaves or sagging.
Mistake #4 – Not Rechecking After Suspension Work
Just replaced your kingpins, bushings, tie rods, or shocks? Great—but did you follow it up with a post-repair alignment? Too many fleets install new parts and hit the road, only to find their tires wearing unevenly weeks later.
Alignment specs change even with minor part replacement. A 1/8" toe misalignment can cause over 30 feet of lateral tire scrub per mile—do the math over a 500-mile run and it’s no wonder your steer tires wear many times faster than you expect.
Other common issues are:
- Fresh parts installed without an alignment lead to uneven load distribution and tire feathering.
- Alignment changes after bushing wear correction can shift caster/camber angles and affect turning radius.
- Neglecting post-repair alignment causes delayed handling issues that escalate into safety hazards.
Treat any front-end or suspension component replacement as a green light for realignment, even if the truck “feels fine” afterward.
Mistake #5 – Choosing the Cheapest Alignment Shop
There’s alignment—and then there’s alignment done right. Some shops cut corners, skip rear axle measurements, or use outdated equipment that hasn’t been calibrated in years. You might save a few bucks up front, but trust us: cheap alignments cost more in the long run.
Why This Is a Problem:
- Inaccurate equipment or shortcuts lead to misdiagnosed issues that get worse over time.
- Shops that don’t align trailers or rear axles cause repeating wear patterns, leading to customer frustration and loss of fleet uptime.
- “Quick-and-dirty” alignments often mask bigger issues like bent axles, cracked hangers, or worn tie rod ends.
You should use laser-guided alignment systems that capture toe, camber, caster, thrust angle, and tracking across all axles. Combined with a technician who understands suspension geometry, it’s the only way to ensure true alignment and long-term savings.
When you’re looking for an alignment shop, always ask what kind of equipment and alignment process your shop uses. If they don’t measure all axles or skip the ride height step, walk away.
How to Spot Misalignment Before It Gets Expensive
Even without fancy tools, your truck will often tell you when it’s misaligned—you just need to listen and look:
- The truck pulls or drifts to one side
- The steering wheel isn’t centered when driving straight
- Feathered or cupped tire wear
- Excess vibration through the steering column
- Poor fuel economy despite clean injectors and good tires
Stop Costly Alignment Mistakes Now
Alignment isn’t optional—it’s essential. One bad angle affects tires, fuel, suspension, steering, and safety. Whether it’s skipping the rear axle, ignoring ride height, or trusting a bargain shop, these five mistakes can cost you serious money over time.
But with regular inspections, proper shop selection, and a full-axle alignment approach, you’ll keep your rig rolling straight, smooth, and stress-free across every mile of Colorado highway.
Need a full-axle alignment in Colorado Springs? Capital Truck Repair uses industry-leading equipment and experienced technicians to keep your truck tracking true. Call us today and schedule your precision alignment service. For more information about truck repairs, read our article on diagnosing transmission slippage.
