Ooops i think i messed up: Wheel Alignment
 

So today i put on my new falken tires and balanced them. Then i said hey why dont i get a wheel alignment so i did. Everything cost me about $130.

Now i come home and im like well let me get ready and throw on my shocks and springs and everyone is telling me its gonna mess up my wheel alignment.

Is this TRUE?

Why would it. I thought a wheel alignement just straighetens out the tires and what ever u need to keep em pointing straight. This way you car wont veer off when braking and u dont get uneven tire wear.

So yeah i screwed up. How much dioff is it gonna be when i put my kyb agx, and eibachs.

Jason , NYC

You'll need a new alignment. When you replace your struts, springs, or subframe, you always need a new alignment to put caster, camber, and toe in spec. Replacing new struts and springs sets it off dramatically usually.

It's actually common sense if you think about it.

YEAH WELL you know its commen sense but it wasnt that apparant to me today. But shit how much is it really gonna change, i just assumed they was trying to make the tires point straight and stuff didnt think the new spring shocks will throw it off that much.

Well im not going to UNDO what i just paid for , so ima stay with the stock shit till next year or something

Jason NYC :MissileSm

I just did a swap from 4 to 5 lugs..and I changed the Spindles and whatnot..It entailed takin the Assembles off the struts and control arms..IT Does throw your wheels out of whack..Basically you are replacing what I didn't..(I didn't replace the shocks)..I noticed on the test drive that the car is Very Squirrelly..and I knew that it meant "alignment",so I booked one in,immediately,since I will be gettin new Tires,and they will be balanced also..Too bad you "had no Idea"Jason, you have to get another alignment Buddy..Shit Happens when you are puttin on mods,..Personally,if you wait to put them on,you may never get them on..Take the "hit" of another alignment..after-all you paid good money for your Set-up..why let the parts gather dust?...what-ever you decide,Good Luck.

Holy shit, is your keyboard broken? :D

I guess while you're doing struts and springs you might as well replace any bushings, bearings, spindles, etc. that are out of spec before getting it aligned again. :D

Whenever you get aftermarket suspensions...

That stuff that keeps them pointed straight IS the shock and it's carriage.

You may or may not change the caster, camber, and toe. But with the lowering springs I can assure you're camber may fuck up.

New struts and springs can EASILY fuck that up. Think about it. You're new tires will be eaten up and your can may handle like shit.

Worse case scenario they will set the toe and go.

People don't take alignment very seriously. It's not worth killing your tires and making the car unsafe for the sheer fact of being lower.