Alignment question after shocks
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From: Schaumburg, IL
Alignment question after shocks I just finished installing SLP Bilsteins with stock springs, as well as dropping the k member to replace the oil pan gasket. The car now has heavy steering and feels darty on the road, like it doesn't want to track straight while at speed.
My understanding is that the alignment shouldn't be affected unless lowering the car, so I'm not sure what's causing my problem. Is the k member possibly not aligned correctly? I'm thinking about taking the car to get aligned, but want to make sure my problem isn't due to a mistake on my end.
My understanding is that the alignment shouldn't be affected unless lowering the car, so I'm not sure what's causing my problem. Is the k member possibly not aligned correctly? I'm thinking about taking the car to get aligned, but want to make sure my problem isn't due to a mistake on my end.
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From: Schaumburg, IL
Since no one has any ideas so far, I'll throw something out there, though I doubt it's the cause. Is it possible that these symptoms could be from the sway bar endlinks being too tight? Now that I think about it, I did probably overtighten them.
Sway bar endlinks are probably too tight, it's natural to want to do for most folks. As far as alignment after shocks, you don't automatically need it, but probably you do. Unless you made some reference marks and installed the new shocks accordingly, I would recommend an alignment. Why chew up tires and/or not enjoy driving the car?
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It depends on the suspension work. If you stay at the same ride height and don't touch anything that affects alignment (ie a shock replacement and staying w/ the same springs) its a waste of money to get an alignment.
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TECH Enthusiast
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From: Schaumburg, IL
This is what I thought, and I did reuse the stock springs. However, the car has 100K on it, has never had an alignment and the steering feels a little off. I found a local shop to do it for $90 that uses a Hunter Hawkeye. I'll report back Tuesday with the results.
A lot of people simply assume that because "it drives straight" the alignment is right on. Not necessarily.....
I just finished installing SLP Bilsteins with stock springs, as well as dropping the k member to replace the oil pan gasket. The car now has heavy steering and feels darty on the road, like it doesn't want to track straight while at speed.
My understanding is that the alignment shouldn't be affected unless lowering the car, so I'm not sure what's causing my problem. Is the k member possibly not aligned correctly? I'm thinking about taking the car to get aligned, but want to make sure my problem isn't due to a mistake on my end.
My understanding is that the alignment shouldn't be affected unless lowering the car, so I'm not sure what's causing my problem. Is the k member possibly not aligned correctly? I'm thinking about taking the car to get aligned, but want to make sure my problem isn't due to a mistake on my end.
And report back what they find. We all learn that way.
Last edited by Racin'Z28; Sep 6, 2009 at 05:29 PM. Reason: typo
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From: Schaumburg, IL
Just picked the car up and in the 1 mile drive back from the shop I can already tell it drives 10x better. Passenger outer tie rod had play and needed to be replaced. I'm sure that was part of my problem, alignment was also off. I'm guessing the alignment was off before I worked on it and just became more noticeable after the install. Here is the printout I received.
I would have had the chamber set in a little more just for road handling situations. But if you remove trhe K memeber 99.9% of the time the k member will be sitting kock eye'd when re installing. Yes there are dowel pins but the alignment will be effected. I am glad you had it aligned it was very smart.
Just picked the car up and in the 1 mile drive back from the shop I can already tell it drives 10x better. Passenger outer tie rod had play and needed to be replaced. I'm sure that was part of my problem, alignment was also off. I'm guessing the alignment was off before I worked on it and just became more noticeable after the install. Here is the printout I received.
But, that's a excellent amount of Caster you got out of it. Congrats. Toe in seems right on the money too.
It's gotta feel like a new car.
