• For as long as vehicles have had adjustable front steering and suspension components, wheel alignments have been an important maintenance item. Alignments started off with manually measuring the distance of the front wheels from each other at different parts of the wheel. Recently, alignment machines have evolved into very high-tech laser-measured machines. While the measuring technology has grown leaps and bounds, the basic mechanics remain the same. This means that most of the tools needed are basic hand tools.
  
  

Combination Wrenches

• Combination wrenches are a basic wrench with one open end and one closed end. These are used to loosen nuts and bolts that are in a tight spot, which a ratchet and socket may not fit in. Combination wrenches are also used to turn the adjusters on most inner and outer tie rod ends, changing the toe angle of the wheels.
  
  

Ratchet and Socket

• A socket is a small, cylindrical, metal tool that fits over the head of a nut or bolt and a ratchet is used to turn the socket. These are used in combination to tighten or loosen a nut or bolt. The ratchet has a mechanism inside that allows its handle to be reset for another turn without removing it from the nut or bolt.
  
  

Channel-lock Pliers

• Channel-lock pliers have an adjustable jaw with channels to hold the jaw in the selected position while holding the handle. This tool is typically used to turn the adjuster sleeves on older trucks, vans and cars to adjust the toe angle of the wheels.
  
  

Pry Bar

• The pry bar is placed under a front wheel, after the camber bolts are loosened, then it is used to pry the wheel outward. This prying adjusts the wheel's camber angle.
  
  

Steering Wheel Lock

• Locking the steering wheel is one of the most important parts of an alignment. An unlocked steering wheel has the potential of turning as adjustments are made. Once the adjustments are finished and locked into place, the steering wheel may end up crooked if not locked before adjustments are made.