Signs your truck needs an alignment
- Uneven or feathered tyre wear, especially on inside edges
- The steering wheel isn't centred when driving straight
- The truck pulls to one side on a flat, level road
- Wander or twitchiness at highway speed, worse while towing
- You've recently fitted a lift, level kit, new springs or hit a significant pothole
Why lifted trucks need a proper alignment
Raising a truck changes caster, camber and toe together. Left uncorrected you get inner-edge tyre wear, steering wander at highway speed and a truck that follows ruts under load. After any lift, level kit or spring change we re-align to specification adjusted for the new ride height.
What we check
- Caster, camber and toe front and rear
- Thrust angle and steering wheel centring
- Ball joints, tie rod ends and wheel bearings before adjusting
- Tyre wear pattern diagnosis
- Load-corrected pressures for towing
Alignment considerations by model
RAM 1500/2500/3500
RAM trucks with factory or aftermarket adjustable upper control arms give us more range to correct camber and caster after a lift than fixed factory arms allow, which is worth discussing at the same time as any suspension work.
Silverado & GMC Sierra/Denali
Silverado and Sierra trucks on larger factory wheel packages are particularly sensitive to correct toe settings — small errors show up quickly as accelerated shoulder wear on wide, heavy LT tyres.
Ford F-150/F-250/F-350
F-Series trucks with twin I-beam or independent front suspension (F-150) versus solid front axles (some F-250/F-350 4x4 configurations) need different alignment approaches — we confirm your exact front suspension type before booking the job.
Tyre choice comparison
| Tyre type | Suited to | Load handling |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger (P-metric) | Light daily driving, no towing | Lower load rating — not recommended for towing |
| Light Truck (LT) | Towing, touring, load-carrying | Higher load rating, stronger sidewall |
| All-terrain LT | Touring, hinterland/dusty tracks, mixed use | Higher load rating with off-road tread |
Tyres for towing and load
Passenger-construction tyres are the wrong choice on a truck carrying ball weight. We fit light-truck (LT) rated tyres with load ratings that suit your actual weights, and set pressures for loaded rather than empty running.
How long does alignment take and what does it cost
A standard alignment typically takes 45–60 minutes once the truck is on our alignment rack, longer if worn steering or suspension components need replacing first to get an accurate result. Alignment and tyre pricing is quoted on enquiry based on your model, ride height and chosen tyre brand and size.
Queensland driving conditions
Sunshine Coast hinterland tracks, corrugated dirt roads and coastal sand access all accelerate wear on steering and suspension joints, which then throws alignment out faster than city driving. If you regularly tour or tow on rough Queensland roads, we'd recommend checking alignment more often than the standard 12-month interval.
Frequently asked questions
- How often should a truck be aligned?
- Every 12 months, and any time you fit a lift, change springs, hit a serious pothole or notice uneven tyre wear.
- Can you align a lifted RAM 2500?
- Yes. Our alignment setup is rated for full-size American trucks, including lifted HD models.
- How much does a wheel alignment cost?
- Pricing depends on your model and whether any worn components need replacing first to get an accurate alignment, so it's quoted on enquiry — but it's inexpensive relative to the cost of a prematurely worn set of LT tyres.
- What tyres should I fit to a Silverado or RAM that tows?
- Light Truck (LT) rated tyres are the right choice for towing and load-carrying, since passenger-construction tyres aren't built for sustained tow ball weight and heavier axle loads.
- Why is my truck wearing tyres unevenly on the inside edge?
- This is a classic sign of excess negative camber or incorrect toe, often after a lift or worn suspension components. An alignment corrects it, but any worn ball joints or control arm bushes need replacing first for the fix to hold.
- Do I need a special alignment machine for a full-size American truck?
- Yes. Standard passenger car alignment equipment isn't always rated for the weight and track width of a full-size RAM, Silverado or F-Series. We use equipment set up specifically for these trucks.
- Does fitting a lift kit always require a new alignment?
- Yes, always. Any change in ride height alters camber, caster and toe, and skipping the alignment afterward will wear an expensive set of tyres unevenly within a few thousand kilometres.