Alignment after new shocks?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
So long as the person installing the shocks didn't mess with the lower control arm bolts and put the washers in the front upper control arms back the same as they came out, nothing has changed in the alignment and you don't need to realign it at all.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 111
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Normally I would agree but in my case I changed to z06 (2011) shocks, sway bars and end links. My 99 coupe sits higher and wore the outside edges on the tires. It never hurts to get an alignment after suspension work.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 622
Likes: 169
From: Montgomery Texas
Replacing shocks will not affect the alignment. Installing shocks with an incorrect stroke, or valving could cause tire wear, however.
Likewise, anti-sway bars, if correctly installed, will not affect alignment. Anti-sway bars should do absolutely nothing, unless cornering, or driving over uneven surfaces, at which time they act to keep the suspension in a range where the camber change is more modest and linear. Since camber is a "wear angle", this will minimize tire wear with conservative (OEM) alignment specs.
Even modest changes to the ride height can have dramatic consequences for suspension geometry and will require an alignment.
Likewise, anti-sway bars, if correctly installed, will not affect alignment. Anti-sway bars should do absolutely nothing, unless cornering, or driving over uneven surfaces, at which time they act to keep the suspension in a range where the camber change is more modest and linear. Since camber is a "wear angle", this will minimize tire wear with conservative (OEM) alignment specs.
Even modest changes to the ride height can have dramatic consequences for suspension geometry and will require an alignment.
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
If your car was aligned at a specific body height and you add new shocks that are higher in internal pressure, it could raise the body height a little.
That would affect your alignment a little by causing the top of the tires to tilt outward (bottoms inward).
Depends on how new or old you tires are and how long it will be before you get or need to get new tires.
BC
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Verdad Gallardo
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
The shock its self has absolutely nothing to do with the ride height of the car (as long as the shock is not bottomed out in the rest position)
The GAS PRESSURE inside the shock does and it pushes the piston out of the shock with a force that pushes UP on the cars body.
If you OLD SHOCKs did not have any pressure and you install new shocks that have pressure, your going to raise the body of the vehicle a specific amount (depending on the pressure inside of the shock).
The GAS PRESSURE inside the shock does and it pushes the piston out of the shock with a force that pushes UP on the cars body.
If you OLD SHOCKs did not have any pressure and you install new shocks that have pressure, your going to raise the body of the vehicle a specific amount (depending on the pressure inside of the shock).
