front end alignment after front strut replacement?

[mntn-biker]

Would you typically need a front end alignment after replacing the original OEM front struts (everything is currently stock)?

[northvibe]

yes

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »yes/thread

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »/thread

[06pvibe]

It's a good idea and cheap insurance... better if replacing the tires too.

[djkeev]

I'll be the lone voice saying the opposite of what's been said so far, so here goes ....Assuming you are replacing just the interior guts and not the complete assembly, you can simply tip it forward and remove the spring and top bearing assembly without disturbing anything else.Technically No, you don't need an alignment. Providing you don't pull the two bolts holding the shock assembly to the axle.If you are replacing the complete shock assembly with the housing, yes, you must realign.Saying that, you'd be a fool to NOT realign your front end. IF the shocks were worn and sloppy the front end geometry changes and if it was aligned in the weaken condition the newer stronger parts will change settings more to the factory new stance requiring a reset.If a car is a newer low mileage car and it is pulled apart to replace a defective part, you don't need to bother checking the alignment. On an older car, heck, it probably needs an alignment anyway so go get it done.Dave

[mntn-biker]

I just called a local alignment shop and they said replacing the struts affect the camber and caster but not toe-in. Makes sense I guess. They said it would be $60-$70 if no parts needed to be replaced. I think I'll drop it off @ the shop today....

[06pvibe]

A good idea in any case. As I'd said, relatively cheap insurance, but I wouldn't necessarily call/trust a front end shop to tell you that you "need" a front end alignment.(?)They have a job to gain (re: your hard earned $$$) by doing the alignment either way, so what's their incentive to tell you otherwise? On the other hand, you could be wearing out a set of tires, or worse, experience uncontrollable handling in an emergency situation.Do it. Cheap insurance for you, your passengers, other driver's/pedestrians on the road and your tires.

[yyamad1]

I would like to add that changing the struts does not affect the Toe nor the camber/caster.If the old struts were bent, or you have installed a camber adjusting bolt, then the caster/camber will change. Our stock set up uses 2 bolts in the bottom of the struts which has no adjustment. I have found you can push or pull just a hair and tighten the bolt which may change the camber just slightly. The strut does not affect ride height and tie rods/ball joints are not touched in the install. A worn out strut and new struts does not change anything. However all that said, if your car does not track perfectly straight it doesn't hurt to get an alignment done.Another thing MOST people over look is our control arm bushings. They do wear and are torn by the time your struts are worn out. Energy suspension sells new bushings but are a bit of work to install. Also they are much harder than stock rubber bushing so ride is a bit harsher. If you dont like really tight steering then you can buy OEM/aftermarket control arms but they are bit more $. good luck