Alignment after springs/shocks?
 

All the parts I needed for putting on new springs and shocks on my FD arrived today. Amazingly, I ordered a set of lower spring seats from Ray at Malloy Mazda on Wed and I got them today. Amazing service from Ray.

Anyway, I have an autocross event on Sunday. I could install the springs and shocks tomorrow (provided I can get a spring compressor) but I wouldn't be able to get the FD aligned. Am I better to just be patient and install the springs next week after the autocross event, take my time, and then get an alignment, or can I run the car with the new setup before i get it aligned?

Even as I ask the question it sounds stupid. I think I better just wait. Nothing ever goes smoothly for me since I'm a terrible mechanic. I'd hate to have the car in pieces and miss the race. I'm just impatient. I got Tein H-tech springs and Tokico Illuminas. It should drop the car a bit less than an inch. BTW, that raises another question. Should I drive the car a bit to let the suspension settle before I have it aligned?

You know, oddly enough, the last time I made a major spring/shock adjustment after my car was stripped and left on a spare, the ground, and a 5 gallon bucket, I didn't need an alignment at all. But yes, generally you should simply because you're altering the suspension's geometry and at least your camber will change. And yes, you'll want to let the car settle before you have said alignment.

Don't worry about alignment right now. Install your new suspension if you can and enjoy your autox event.

Lower springs will just let you gain some more negative camber, a move in the right direction.

- Sandro

agreed. dont worry about the alignment right now. and yes, do let your springs settle. everytime you go to jack the car back up and unload the suspension, youll have to let it settle again. no biggie. but throw that shit on there, take some pics, post them here (pics whores yes we are) and have fun at that auto-x. btw, take some pics there too!

peace

Thanks for the feedback guys. I decided to wait until after tomorrow. Even though it looks to be pretty straight forward, I'm sure I can find a way to run into problems. I'll do it when I'm not pressed for time. I'll have a few weeks before the next event which should be plenty of time even for me.

with lowering springs, you shouldent need to compress the springs to get the perches on, if you do, its only just a little. stand up the illumina, put the perches on top, get everything aligned. press down on the spring and shock, you should be able to skrew the top nut down after that. it takes like 10 minutes per, or ~30 minutes for all.
VERY simple. i dont think you can fuck it up. just make sure you use a deep socket if you have one thats big enough.

peace