How Long Does a Wheel Alignment Take?
Most alignments take 45–60 minutes at Cherry Ave. It takes longer when we find worn parts (we tell you before going further), when a lifted or lowered vehicle has aftermarket hardware, or when adjusters are seized. A Paramount drop-off adds the round trip to Cherry Ave. Sunday alignments cost the same as weekdays, with no weekend upcharge.
Signs You Need an Alignment
- Your car pulls left or right on a straight road.
- The steering wheel sits off-center when you drive straight.
- Your tires show uneven or feathered wear on the inside or outside edge.
- You feel vibration through the steering wheel. That's often balance, not alignment — here's how to tell, or read why the steering wheel shakes on the highway.
- You hit a big pothole or curb.
- You had suspension or steering work (tie rods, control arms, struts), or lowered or lifted the vehicle.
- You're buying new tires.
Can you get an alignment with bad control arms?
Technically you can measure it, but a worn control arm or tie rod won't hold spec, so the alignment drifts and you pay twice. We check the suspension first and tell you if the alignment should wait. See suspension repair — the $45 suspension inspection is credited to the repair when you approve it the same day.
More reading: how alignment prevents tire wear, why a car pulls to one side, what causes uneven tire wear, bent rims after a pothole, and high-speed wheel balance.
EV and Tesla Alignment ($165)
EV alignments start at $165. EVs are heavier than gas cars of the same size and use model-specific alignment specs, which takes more setup on the rack. We align Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X, plus the Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Chevy Bolt, Nissan Leaf, Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning.
We're an independent shop, not Tesla-authorized or Tesla-certified. We do tires, wheels, alignment, brakes and TPMS. We don't do high-voltage, charging or drive-unit work. EV tire and service details →
Lifted Trucks, Lowered Cars and Lowriders
We regularly align modified vehicles: trucks with 3- to 6-inch-plus lifts, lowriders on hydraulics or air ride, and dropped compacts on coilovers. Lowrider and wire-wheel work is what we're known for. Modified vehicles may need adjustable upper control arms, ball joints or camber/caster plates. When factory spec isn't reachable, we set the best achievable spec and explain the trade-offs. Any add-on is quoted before work.
Lifted or extra-large trucks start at $145. Lowered cars start at $125; the final price depends on the adjustments the car needs and how it's set up, and we quote it before we start.
- Lifted truck & 4x4 alignment — leveling kits vs. full lifts, caster correction and solid-axle setups.
- Lowered car & lowrider alignment — hydraulics, air ride and camber kits.
Alignment After New Tires
Yes, get one. If the alignment is off, new tires start wearing unevenly right away. Buy 4 tires from us and you also get free rotations for life. Shopping for a set? See new tires, what 4 tires cost in Long Beach, or get a tire quote.
What We Check
We align every vehicle on a Hunter Hawkeye Elite at our Cherry Ave shop. Before we adjust anything, we look over the tires and steering parts. The quick visual suspension check is free; if something looks loose, we tell you before going further. If you also need balancing, we balance on Coats 1600 HD balancers at both shops.
The inward or outward tilt of the tire seen from the front. Wrong camber wears the inside or outside edge.
Whether the tires point in or out seen from above. The most common cause of fast, feathered wear.
The steering axis angle seen from the side. Affects steering feel, straight-line stability and return to center.
The direction the rear axle points compared with the vehicle's centerline. Out of spec, the car "dog tracks."
You get a before-and-after printout of the readings, and we walk you through it.
Why Long Beach Drivers Choose Ochoa's for Alignment
- Posted prices. Most local alignment shops don't post any.
- Open Sundays at Cherry Ave, one of the few Long Beach shops open on Sunday — same pricing, no weekend upcharge. Sunday hours and services.
- English and Spanish at both shops.
- Family-owned since 1988. Run by Elias P. Ochoa, second generation.
- Before-and-after printout on every alignment.
- Phones answered. Missed calls are returned within 10 minutes.
- 30-day alignment warranty (details below).
“Brought my truck to get worked on — lower control arm, alignment, and tires. Had the best prices around the area. Great customer service, very professional and knowledgeable about anything that has to do with cars. Got the job done quickly. Will definitely be coming back.”
Our 30-Day Alignment Guarantee
Every alignment at Ochoa's comes with a 30-day warranty. If something isn't right within 30 days, bring it back to Cherry Ave.
Our 24-month / 24,000-mile warranty covers parts we supply and their installation. Alignments have their own 30-day warranty.