How necessary is alignment after installing new springs? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

switchlanez · 08-27-2012, 02:35 PM

I've heard it's always necessary in the past. Until I installed springs/struts myself on my MR2 and again on my G35 and did not see any way to play with alignment. Everything bolted in one way. Things might've shifted a tenth of a degree or two but stayed within the spec range. A mechanic friend of mine also did not believe an alignment necessary for this straightforward job. Now if we start unbolting things beyond the struts (suspension arms, etc.), then it becomes necessary.

I don't have any tools in my new apartment so I'm getting a dealership to install my springs. They say a $90 alignment is necessary, at least on the front pair. Are they trying to gouge me for money/how necessary is this?

EDIT: This question is for a mild 0.6" drop all around.

Racecomp Engineering · 08-27-2012, 02:37 PM

It's necessary.

Just because things only bolt in one way, the changes in ride height change alignment.

- Andrew

Visconti · 08-27-2012, 02:38 PM

Very necessary

jadewbj · 08-27-2012, 03:00 PM

Yes, very needed. You have changed geometry of the suspension.

RandomHero · 08-27-2012, 03:12 PM

Ever see a civic that is lowered and looks duck footed/ pigeon toed? Thats a ricer that sprung for the springs and never paid for an alignment...

Apex Chase · 08-27-2012, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

It's necessary.

Just because things only bolt in one way, the changes in ride height change alignment.

- Andrew

Anytime you change ride height you need an alignment.

Draco-REX · 08-27-2012, 03:30 PM

100% Necessary. Even the slight play in the bolts can effect your alignment.

Rule of thumb: If you mess with the suspension at all, get an alignment. Sway bars are the only exception as they are not locating members of the suspension.

empower-auto · 08-27-2012, 05:53 PM

Depends really..

If you read, for example, the Eibach Pro-Kit alignment specs for before and after install - you really don't have to adjust anything on a new, straight, car.

switchlanez · 08-27-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

It's necessary.

Just because things only bolt in one way, the changes in ride height change alignment.

- Andrew

Quote:

Originally Posted by jadewbj

Yes, very needed. You have changed geometry of the suspension.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apex Chase

Anytime you change ride height you need an alignment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

100% Necessary. Even the slight play in the bolts can effect your alignment.

Rule of thumb: If you mess with the suspension at all, get an alignment. Sway bars are the only exception as they are not locating members of the suspension.

Thanks for all the responses. But like I mentioned earlier, my alignment remained within the OEM specified range after I swapped the springs/struts out myself leading me to believe that even the slight play in bolts had not much effect. I've watched shops adjust my alignment and noticed they don't adjust any strut housing bolts that I touch when I install springs/struts. They're torquing bolts in the suspension arms that I never touched. I guess my question should be have any of you guys gone out of alignment when only installing <1" drop springs/struts? It's easy to say, yes, it theoretically could happen. But I wonder if anyone has experienced this firsthand because my firsthand experience (twice) tells me the change in alignment is negligible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by empower-auto

Depends really..

If you read, for example, the Eibach Pro-Kit alignment specs for before and after install - you really don't have to adjust anything on a new, straight, car.

The Eibach Pro-Kit is a 1" drop. The springs I'm installing are only a 0.6" drop developed specifically to work with the OEM struts. Is 0.6" really enough to put geometry out of spec?

RWD-boxer · 08-27-2012, 06:44 PM

90$ is cheap for a dealer... Do it

Matt Andrews · 08-27-2012, 06:44 PM

the rear toe setting change was negligible with a 1" drop. I didn't change it after measuring. And considering rear camber isn't adjustable, I was fine. The front "may" be the same if you don't touch camber, but I added 3 degrees, and consequently hand to adjust toe.

switchlanez · 08-27-2012, 07:30 PM

I'm going to have the reputable Subaru shop only install my springs for $700. They're already upcharging me compared to $550 at the less reputable Subaru shop which hasn't installed any springs "in a while." That's why I'm hesitant to throw more money at the 1st shop for an alignment. Then I'm going to a nearby tire shop for a free alignment check and, if needed, $80 for alignment. But the tire shop doesn't have access to alignment specs for any 2013 models.

Does anyone have the BRZ alignment specs they can send me?

empower-auto · 08-27-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by switchlanez

I'm going to have the reputable Subaru shop only install my springs for $700. They're already upcharging me compared to $550 at the less reputable Subaru shop which hasn't installed any springs "in a while." That's why I'm hesitant to throw more money at the 1st shop for an alignment. Then I'm going to a nearby tire shop for a free alignment check and, if needed, $80 for alignment. But the tire shop doesn't have access to alignment specs for any 2013 models.

Does anyone have the BRZ alignment specs they can send me?

Geez. Just burn your wallet man.

n8dog11914 · 08-27-2012, 07:46 PM

If you're going to lower the car the wrong way, then just cut the springs and no alignment the cheap way.

Not recommended of course

08-27-2012, 02:35 PM	#1
switchlanez Glorious BRZ Master Race Join Date: Apr 2011 Drives: Subaru Libird Location: Race Wars Posts: 3,645 Thanks: 1,050 Thanked 2,718 Times in 1,079 Posts Mentioned: 110 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	How necessary is alignment after installing new springs? I've heard it's always necessary in the past. Until I installed springs/struts myself on my MR2 and again on my G35 and did not see any way to play with alignment. Everything bolted in one way. Things might've shifted a tenth of a degree or two but stayed within the spec range. A mechanic friend of mine also did not believe an alignment necessary for this straightforward job. Now if we start unbolting things beyond the struts (suspension arms, etc.), then it becomes necessary. I don't have any tools in my new apartment so I'm getting a dealership to install my springs. They say a $90 alignment is necessary, at least on the front pair. Are they trying to gouge me for money/how necessary is this? EDIT: This question is for a mild 0.6" drop all around. __________________ << BUILD THREAD >> Last edited by switchlanez; 08-30-2012 at 12:49 PM.

08-27-2012, 05:53 PM	#8
empower-auto Kouki-Monster Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2013 Scion FR-S Location: Saskatoon, SK Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 11 Thanked 562 Times in 261 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Depends really.. If you read, for example, the Eibach Pro-Kit alignment specs for before and after install - you really don't have to adjust anything on a new, straight, car. __________________ Rich Anderson EMPOWER AUTO

08-27-2012, 06:44 PM	#11
Matt Andrews Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: race cars Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 253 Thanks: 31 Thanked 150 Times in 68 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	the rear toe setting change was negligible with a 1" drop. I didn't change it after measuring. And considering rear camber isn't adjustable, I was fine. The front "may" be the same if you don't touch camber, but I added 3 degrees, and consequently hand to adjust toe. __________________ 11/19/12 - Just back from Redline TimeAttack's demo event. Video and write up in link below. http://fecompetition.wordpress.com/ https://www.facebook.com/FECompetition

08-27-2012, 07:30 PM	#12
switchlanez Glorious BRZ Master Race Join Date: Apr 2011 Drives: Subaru Libird Location: Race Wars Posts: 3,645 Thanks: 1,050 Thanked 2,718 Times in 1,079 Posts Mentioned: 110 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'm going to have the reputable Subaru shop only install my springs for $700. They're already upcharging me compared to $550 at the less reputable Subaru shop which hasn't installed any springs "in a while." That's why I'm hesitant to throw more money at the 1st shop for an alignment. Then I'm going to a nearby tire shop for a free alignment check and, if needed, $80 for alignment. But the tire shop doesn't have access to alignment specs for any 2013 models. Does anyone have the BRZ alignment specs they can send me? __________________ << BUILD THREAD >>

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08-27-2012, 02:37 PM	#2
Racecomp Engineering Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: 2016 BRZ, 2012 Paris Di2 & 2018 STI Location: Severn, MD Posts: 5,408 Thanks: 3,420 Thanked 7,242 Times in 2,963 Posts Mentioned: 303 Post(s) Tagged: 9 Thread(s)	It's necessary. Just because things only bolt in one way, the changes in ride height change alignment. - Andrew

08-27-2012, 02:38 PM	#3
Visconti Banned Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: 05 STi Location: Norwalk, CT Posts: 2,843 Thanks: 196 Thanked 3,188 Times in 1,197 Posts Mentioned: 375 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Very necessary

08-27-2012, 03:30 PM	#7
Draco-REX Corner Junkie Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 13 BRZ, 11 STI, 99 RS Location: Ohio Posts: 2,908 Thanks: 129 Thanked 1,520 Times in 702 Posts Mentioned: 11 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	100% Necessary. Even the slight play in the bolts can effect your alignment. Rule of thumb: If you mess with the suspension at all, get an alignment. Sway bars are the only exception as they are not locating members of the suspension.

08-27-2012, 06:44 PM	#10
RWD-boxer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Black Location: Tally Posts: 291 Thanks: 27 Thanked 61 Times in 41 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	90$ is cheap for a dealer... Do it

08-27-2012, 07:46 PM	#14
n8dog11914 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2013 WRB Subaru BRZ 6MT Location: Fort Mill, SC Posts: 272 Thanks: 46 Thanked 72 Times in 58 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If you're going to lower the car the wrong way, then just cut the springs and no alignment the cheap way. Not recommended of course

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