Is an alignment necessary?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 477
Likes: 48
Is an alignment necessary?
I'm having the C6Z06 shocks & Z51 sways installed tomorrow and after calling two dealers who both said an alignment wouldn't be necessary since you're not changing any settings( which saves me $65.00 
). I just wanted to check with the ones in the know about what you guys think about that. No sense in spending it if you don't have to. Thanks!
). I just wanted to check with the ones in the know about what you guys think about that. No sense in spending it if you don't have to. Thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
IN A PERFECT WORLD, the answer would be NO, you are fine.
BUT,,,,,,,,,,,,, We don't live in a perfect world!
Your old OEM shocks are MOST LIKELY worn out and have lost some or ALL of its NITROGEN CHARGE.
The NEW shocks will have lots of pressure. It may alter the ride height of the car a little. That in turn usually changed the CASTER of the car.
The real killer of tire wear is CAMBER and TOE. Adding shocks and sway bars shouldn't change any of those settings.
When was the last time you have an alignment done???
If its been a while, you should have it checked after you have driven the car for a week of so and allowed the suspension to settle out with the new shocks. ALIGNMENTS are cheep.. Tires are NOT
Bill
BUT,,,,,,,,,,,,, We don't live in a perfect world!
Your old OEM shocks are MOST LIKELY worn out and have lost some or ALL of its NITROGEN CHARGE.
The NEW shocks will have lots of pressure. It may alter the ride height of the car a little. That in turn usually changed the CASTER of the car.
The real killer of tire wear is CAMBER and TOE. Adding shocks and sway bars shouldn't change any of those settings.
When was the last time you have an alignment done???
If its been a while, you should have it checked after you have driven the car for a week of so and allowed the suspension to settle out with the new shocks. ALIGNMENTS are cheep.. Tires are NOT
Bill
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with Bill - if you haven't had an alignment done in a while it would be a thing to consider. But just changing the sway bars and shocks normally would not be cause for an alignment.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
IN A PERFECT WORLD, the answer would be NO, you are fine.
BUT,,,,,,,,,,,,, We don't live in a perfect world!
Your old OEM shocks are MOST LIKELY worn out and have lost some or ALL of its NITROGEN CHARGE.
The NEW shocks will have lots of pressure. It may alter the ride height of the car a little. That in turn usually changed the CASTER of the car.
The real killer of tire wear is CAMBER and TOE. Adding shocks and sway bars shouldn't change any of those settings.
When was the last time you have an alignment done???
If its been a while, you should have it checked after you have driven the car for a week of so and allowed the suspension to settle out with the new shocks. ALIGNMENTS are cheep.. Tires are NOT
Bill
BUT,,,,,,,,,,,,, We don't live in a perfect world!
Your old OEM shocks are MOST LIKELY worn out and have lost some or ALL of its NITROGEN CHARGE.
The NEW shocks will have lots of pressure. It may alter the ride height of the car a little. That in turn usually changed the CASTER of the car.
The real killer of tire wear is CAMBER and TOE. Adding shocks and sway bars shouldn't change any of those settings.
When was the last time you have an alignment done???
If its been a while, you should have it checked after you have driven the car for a week of so and allowed the suspension to settle out with the new shocks. ALIGNMENTS are cheep.. Tires are NOT
Bill
Trust but verify.Mr. Sam
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 477
Likes: 48
Thanks for the input---I had her aligned about a year ago when the new tires/wheels were installed so I'm taking your advice and drive her for a week or two and then see if it's needed.
I'll post my take on the install--I'm looking forward to a new, tighter ride (and no snide comments are necessary
)
I'll post my take on the install--I'm looking forward to a new, tighter ride (and no snide comments are necessary
)
