Alignment after coilover rebuild?

[NickB34]

I ran a couple of searches, but came up empty.

I've sent my coilovers in to be rebuilt and I'm wondering if I need to have an alignment done when I put them back on. They'll be setup the same as when they came off (height and pre-load) so I'm thinking I'll be ok, but I don't have enough experience to know better.

I also couldn't really find any info on when exactly you should get an alignment done (other than if you change the height), so if anybody could enlighten me I would appreciate it.

[tyler_win_photo]

I think it's always best to at least check the alignment after working on a piece of suspension or something that could change the alignment such as arms.

It's hard to get the exact same settings as when you took them out.

[strat61caster]

If there's anything adjustable that's been removed and could be reinstalled different from before like camber bolts, camber plates, any cam bolts on the rear suspension then I would say yes.

If everything you unbolted is non-adjustable it's unlikely that there will be much of a difference from before.

But also realize that alignments don't last forever, stuff slips and changes over time of pounding across pavement, some people get alignments every few months, every year is suggested for people who drive their car hard, some people check alignment between track sessions, there's a wide spectrum.

[BlueWhelan]

If you're getting a suspension rebuild, then you probably want the handling to be optimized, yes?

So IMO, if ripping the dampers out, always get an alignment afterwards.

[NickB34]

I realize that the typical response is that any time you touch the suspension you should get an alignment.

I'd get a before and after alignment to have some data to work with, but that just seems like it's probably a waste of money.

Thanks for the feedback so far!

[jamal]

The rear should be fine, but the front camber at least would definitely need to be checked. Even if you don't have a camber bolt or put it back at the same angle, there is some room for things to move around when it's unbolted.

Also the corner balance will be different.

[NickB34]

My coilovers have a camber plate on top. I'm assuming that setting them to the previous position will be ok to run around on until I can get the alignment, right?

Originally Posted by jamal

The rear should be fine, but the front camber at least would definitely need to be checked. Even if you don't have a camber bolt or put it back at the same angle, there is some room for things to move around when it's unbolted.

Also the corner balance will be different.

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[churchx]

NickB34: there is always some slack in bolt connections. Untightening/rebolting them, even for supposedly unadjustable connections often can make alignment for slight extent out of whack. I guess, that camplate setting may get you in rough ballpark for driving until alignment (at least non-performance driving on track), but i'd wish to have that alignment done sooner. For example if that slack in bolts rebolted changed at previous alignment carefully evened and dialed specific toe settings .. yes, i'd probably would be ok with slight driving for few days to-from work, but would more then prefer to have it set back right prior few days long or of very long mileage trips/trackday/anything that would benefit from better handling/more performance/not increased tire wear.