snow05gtRI Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Is it very important to do an alignment immediately after I install a new suspension? I will be getting Bilstein's / Pinks (and JDM RSB) installed HOPEFULLY this weekend on Saturday, and I wanted to know if it was absolutely necessary for me to do an alignment RIGHT after. Basically if there will be any problems NOT doing an alignment. I'm putting new tires on probably the following week, also....is it ok to wait a week on a new suspension or is it going to devour my winter tires? OR, if i get an alignment right after the suspension install, will it be necessary to do another alignment after I put on new tires for the summer? Thank you for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmarko Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Are they new springs? If so, I'd give them a week to 'settle' before getting an alignment. Also, I'd keep your old tires on there until you go through that week. Then get the alignment and your tires done at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow05gtRI Posted April 15, 2009 Author Share Posted April 15, 2009 used, less than 2k miles. is that long enough for them to settle? the shocks/struts are brand new, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn06SpecB Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 2k miles? yes get in for an alignment ASAP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACKeNeD Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Speaking of, does anyone do their own alignments? When I was on the Audi forums, one of the guys was doing his own. 4 jack stands and some simple alignment tools later, he had an aligned car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdeclipse03 Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Speaking of, does anyone do their own alignments? When I was on the Audi forums, one of the guys was doing his own. 4 jack stands and some simple alignment tools later, he had an aligned car. You can do that, but for $50-$75 you can spare yourself the time and get it done with a state of the art computerized alignment rack and have it set dead on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 You're going to want to set the camber bolts as close to stock as possible. Easy with konis since you can just mark the strut body with white-out, when switching struts its much harder. The Crimson Dynamo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonLGT Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Tires are more expensive than an alignment. Also it makes the car so much more enjoyable having your alignment dialed in, this should be a no-brainer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow05gtRI Posted April 16, 2009 Author Share Posted April 16, 2009 no, no....i'm not picking one or the other. both are getting done. I'm asking if I should wait till when i get my new tires to do the alignment, or just get it aligned right after putting the suspension on and then slap new tires on top of THAT alignment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjoe Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 I'm assuming that the struts and the springs are in separate pieces right now. If that's the case, after you get them installed and on the car, give it a day or two, maybe three, (you want to give the springs time to recompress and back to their normal operational state) and then bring it in for an alignment sooner rather then later. You'll be fine without an alignment for a couple of days. Just get the camber more or less to where it was before and drive nicely until you can get it done (the toe and caster isn't really going to change). You're not going to need a new alignment job after putting new tires on btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawlwawl06 Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 I'm assuming that the struts and the springs are in separate pieces right now. If that's the case, after you get them installed and on the car, give it a day or two, maybe three, (you want to give the springs time to recompress and back to their normal operational state) and then bring it in for an alignment sooner rather then later. You'll be fine without an alignment for a couple of days. Just get the camber more or less to where it was before and drive nicely until you can get it done (the toe and caster isn't really going to change). You're not going to need a new alignment job after putting new tires on btw. Good info thanks, I'll be going through the same situation next week. New konis/swifts. Noob question, should we be requesting four-wheel alignments at the shop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katalyst Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 ^ haha yea 4-wheel alignment def let the springs settle in a bit though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naimouasta Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Just get the camber more or less to where it was before and drive nicely until you can get it done (the toe and caster isn't really going to change). +1. i tried to be cool by maxing out the camber up front lol. killed the tires but they were on their way out anyways. there was no wear at all in the rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paisan Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 We always suggest about 200 miles from installation before getting an alignment. -mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow05gtRI Posted April 24, 2009 Author Share Posted April 24, 2009 even on used springs? The struts/shocks are brand new, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paisan Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Used springs you could do right away, but it won't hurt it for 200 miles. New or used struts/shocks are irrelivent to the alignment. -mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow05gtRI Posted April 24, 2009 Author Share Posted April 24, 2009 cool. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goneskiian Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Paisan - What do you suggest for alignment settings? Completely stock or ? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paisan Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 I always suggest stock for folks who aren't out there racing/tracking their cars. I'm going to go slightly negative camber on mine for track use. -mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ifbiker Posted April 25, 2009 Share Posted April 25, 2009 Blackened I did my own alignment using Smart Strings. There is a post on NASIOC which shows the same method you described. I prefer the Smart Strings because you set up to parrallel lines from which to measure from. The Jack stnad method assumes the track width is the same to set up the lines. I know on my car the rear track is slitghly more narrow than the front. Its not by much but it introduces some error. I will say that for the first time in a long time my steering wheel is straight with the car going straight. The dealer has never been able to do this and them have done at least 4 alignments for me over two cars. Its my opinion that you can do a better job with the Smart Strings and slip plates than with a Hunter rack. Keep in mind many race teams use either Smart Strings or variants to align race cars, they don't use Hunter Alignemnt racks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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