Alignment?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 700
Likes: 2
From: Spring Hill Florida
Alignment?
Priced out having new shocks installed at my dealer and it seemed kinda high. When asking why so high they told me that when you have new shocks installed you have to have the front and rear aligned. I never heard of this but then what do I know? Anybody else heard of this?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
are the new shocks the same part number? if not, the gas pressure will be different, and if it is more or less, it will affect how much lift the shocks supply to the suspension affecting the ride height.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
First, don't go to a dealer to get a price. Go to a repair shop. Then, the shocks themselves are not cheap (of course, they're 3x as bad at a dealer). As noted above, the likely change in ride height could require realignment. I'm sure it would not be terrible, but of course they must recommend it.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Columbus IN
Priced out having new shocks installed at my dealer and it seemed kinda high. When asking why so high they told me that when you have new shocks installed you have to have the front and rear aligned. I never heard of this but then what do I know? Anybody else heard of this?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 700
Likes: 2
From: Spring Hill Florida
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Here, I'll just say it again. Don't go to the dealership...
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Columbus IN
Why are you worried about spending $100. Its a corvette. If it gives you 1k miles more on your tires, then its paid for itself. I keep seeing these posts about do i need an alignment. Simple answer is YES. Anytime you change the suspension (except sway bars) you need an alignment. New shocks? Yes you need one. Why? if the new shock is slighyly stiffer or has a little more gas charge, then the geometry just changed. Maybe less than a degree, but it matters on 30k mile tire life. Don't pinch pennies when your tires cost a grand.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
Why are you worried about spending $100. Its a corvette. If it gives you 1k miles more on your tires, then its paid for itself. I keep seeing these posts about do i need an alignment. Simple answer is YES. Anytime you change the suspension (except sway bars) you need an alignment. New shocks? Yes you need one. Why? if the new shock is slighyly stiffer or has a little more gas charge, then the geometry just changed. Maybe less than a degree, but it matters on 30k mile tire life. Don't pinch pennies when your tires cost a grand.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
in fact you can get the lifetime alignment for 180 which allows you to have your car fully aligned to any specs you want anytime you want. most everyone who tracks that i know uses this as they change the alignment 2-3 times a year
you even get a nice print out like my last one here
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 700
Likes: 2
From: Spring Hill Florida
Thanks guys for all your input. The only reason I inquired from my dealer is they sponsor our Corvette Club and I try to give them as much business as possible, plus we get a 15% discount. I ended up ordering Bilsteins from Mid-America ($400 at my door) and had a local Corvette special shop locally install them for $150. Thanks to your input I will get it aligned!