Will I need a re-alignment??? Front & rear
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 2
From: Port Orange Florida
Cruise-In III Veteran
Will I need a re-alignment??? Front & rear
My ZO6 springs will be here friday and when I get them installed in place of the standard springs will the car need to be realigned or does changing the springs not affect things????
I will have ZO6 springs.
2004 ZO6 shocks.
ZO6 sway bars.
Should I get a ZO6 alignment or keep the standard C5 alignment?
I'm sure someone has already done this Mod and can give me some advice.
My next Mod will be a 3:42 ratio rear for My A4. Gotta save up some real loot for that one.
$$$$$$ 
$$$$$$$
Ronnie,
I will have ZO6 springs.
2004 ZO6 shocks.
ZO6 sway bars.
Should I get a ZO6 alignment or keep the standard C5 alignment?
I'm sure someone has already done this Mod and can give me some advice.
My next Mod will be a 3:42 ratio rear for My A4. Gotta save up some real loot for that one.
$$$$$$ $$$$$$$Ronnie,
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 22
From: Bella Vista Ca
If the new springs change the ride hight you need to. Measure the distance from the ground to the fenderwell before and after the install. If it changes an alignment is a good idea. I would also drive the car for a few hundered miles before I take it in for the alignment. The cars tend to settle a little. I would stick with the Coupe/ Vert alignment, my opinion. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
I did the exact same thing and asked the exact same question - the feeling I got is that yes, you need a front and rear alignment and that you should use the ZO6 specs since that is the suspension that is now in place
I was also told that it only takes about 5 minutes of driving for the new suspension to "settle" into place, so I don't think I would drive it too far before doing the alignment - I'd be afraid that if you do and something is way out of line, that you will ruin your tires.
Just my .02.
PS Haven't driven mine yet w/ all the winter mods, so here's hoping we both like our new suspensions!!
I was also told that it only takes about 5 minutes of driving for the new suspension to "settle" into place, so I don't think I would drive it too far before doing the alignment - I'd be afraid that if you do and something is way out of line, that you will ruin your tires.
Just my .02.
PS Haven't driven mine yet w/ all the winter mods, so here's hoping we both like our new suspensions!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Evaluate the cost of new tires versus the cost of an alignment. If you haven't had an alignment in awhile, you probably need one anyway. How old are the tires? You could wait until you pop for a new set and then have the alignment. On every car I've put new tires on, I've always gotten an alignment. I'd be sick if I wore out tires because I was being cheap.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
From: Enterprise AL
Originally Posted by Mike04
If the new springs change the ride hight you need to. Measure the distance from the ground to the fenderwell before and after the install. If it changes an alignment is a good idea. I would also drive the car for a few hundered miles before I take it in for the alignment. The cars tend to settle a little. I would stick with the Coupe/ Vert alignment, my opinion.
This is the way I would do it, the only difference I wouldn't bother to drive it a couple hundred miles, 10 - 20 should do it depending on the surface. Possibly on the way to your favorite alignment center. The more bumps the better to get it settled.Also you may consider lowering slightly, the Z06 spring rates being higher will hold the car up a bit more, so you could get it back to the original height or even lower depending on your tastes.
One last note, if you were to use the FE4 (Z06 spec), this will put a lot of negative camber in all four corners vs the coupe/vert spec alignment. Handles very well, but you do have to watch for inside tire wear particularly on the front. So you may want to stay with the normal specs for your year.
Last edited by ZO6vettepilot; Mar 31, 2006 at 10:16 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
Here's what I would do, measure the ride height before changing the springs then change the springs.
Put a few miles on it and measure the ride height again and adjust it to the former ride height.
After you drop the rear cradle and ruin the 4 wheel alignment and install the 3.42 rear axle.
Then take it in and get the 4 wheel Z06 alignment done to specs.
JMHO besides I been there before!
Put a few miles on it and measure the ride height again and adjust it to the former ride height.
After you drop the rear cradle and ruin the 4 wheel alignment and install the 3.42 rear axle.
Then take it in and get the 4 wheel Z06 alignment done to specs.
JMHO besides I been there before!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
springs
Mine took a couple of hundred miles before it quite settling. The Z alingment can cause more tire wear with improved handling. I had the tech go between the Z and C5 camber settings for my car.
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