Alignment needed after strut replacement?
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Alignment needed after strut replacement?
I am hoping to replace all four struts in the near future, thanks to Lexmex's very helpful DIY thread. On some vehicles, the alignment is not affected when the shocks/struts are replaced. On other vehicles, everything changes. What's the case with the RX300?
Haynes and Chilton recommend marking where the pieces go together to aid in preserving alignment specs on reassembly. Is this adequate, or should a 4-wheel alignment be done as a precaution?
Thanks!
Haynes and Chilton recommend marking where the pieces go together to aid in preserving alignment specs on reassembly. Is this adequate, or should a 4-wheel alignment be done as a precaution?
Thanks!
Last edited by trhs75; 07-17-09 at 05:44 PM. Reason: Clarity
#2
Moderator
If you are replacing with the same (same as the one that are being removed and not same all around) and the vehicle had good alignment when new were put in, then you can skip alignment.
If you have expensive tires and dont want to risk it, then go ahead and get an alignment checked. You have already used the key word 'precaution'.
Salim
If you have expensive tires and dont want to risk it, then go ahead and get an alignment checked. You have already used the key word 'precaution'.
Salim
#3
Lead Lap
iTrader: (2)
I would get the alignment checked as a "precaution". I know I did the struts all around on my friends car, (my first time before i do mine), and we did as chilton and hayes state. And we got the alignment checked at Sears Auto, and the alignment was perfect they stated and we weren't charged anything.
#4
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I appreciate the info, both of you.
Salim, do you mean if I switch to 4 KYB's it may change the alignment specs?
John, I like the idea of practicing on a friend's car first!!
Salim, do you mean if I switch to 4 KYB's it may change the alignment specs?
John, I like the idea of practicing on a friend's car first!!
Last edited by trhs75; 07-17-09 at 06:04 PM. Reason: clarity
#5
Moderator
If the old were KYB and the alignment was good and the new ones are KYB then most likely the alignment would remain good. Further clarification ,,,, it in not just the make, the part number of old and new need to be the same.
If the new ones, alter the height/stance then you should have the alignment checked/verified.
Salim
If the new ones, alter the height/stance then you should have the alignment checked/verified.
Salim
#6
Lexus Champion
I am hoping to replace all four struts in the near future, thanks to Lexmex's very helpful DIY thread. On some vehicles, the alignment is not affected when the shocks/struts are replaced. On other vehicles, everything changes. What's the case with the RX300?
Haynes and Chilton recommend marking where the pieces go together to aid in preserving alignment specs on reassembly. Is this adequate, or should a 4-wheel alignment be done as a precaution?
Thanks!
Haynes and Chilton recommend marking where the pieces go together to aid in preserving alignment specs on reassembly. Is this adequate, or should a 4-wheel alignment be done as a precaution?
Thanks!
#7
Yes, definitely need alignment.
I changed all corners with the oem structs and it drove fine but I was not comfortable with it so we checked the alignment and learned that it was pushing on all sides.
I changed all corners with the oem structs and it drove fine but I was not comfortable with it so we checked the alignment and learned that it was pushing on all sides.
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#8
Moderator
Shims (addition and removal) can adjust the camber. That is how you make any change to the rear.
A while back we had a long discussion on caster being adjustable or not and one member found eccentric bolts for this. To me the caster adjustment should only be needed if there is a frame damage.
Salim
A while back we had a long discussion on caster being adjustable or not and one member found eccentric bolts for this. To me the caster adjustment should only be needed if there is a frame damage.
Salim
#9
Pole Position
My AWD alignment changed not one bit after going to KYB and aftermarket upper mounts. My only issue was a tie rod that got moved, for a crooked steering wheel.
#10
Lexus Champion
Shims (addition and removal) can adjust the camber. That is how you make any change to the rear.
A while back we had a long discussion on caster being adjustable or not and one member found eccentric bolts for this. To me the caster adjustment should only be needed if there is a frame damage.
Salim
A while back we had a long discussion on caster being adjustable or not and one member found eccentric bolts for this. To me the caster adjustment should only be needed if there is a frame damage.
Salim
#11
Lexus Champion
Clevercat- when I took my DIL's RX back to have a tire balanced that was not right, The manager of the tire shop said something quietly to the service tech. I had had the tires installed about 6k mi. before that. OE Bridgestone Duelers, I believe. While the manager and I talked, unbeknowst to me, the tech was checking the alignment. When he was done balancing the 1 tire I asked them to balance, he came in with the printout of the 4 wheel alignment check. They showed me how the car would dog-track and how the tires NEEDED the alignment. I said my son would have to deal with it. I installed the tires at 97k mi. and the RX now has 133k mi. I have driven that vehicle many, many times (I'm the 1 that does all the work on it) and for 36k mi. that car has gone dead straight down the road and the tires have worn completely evenly on all 4 wheels. The tires get cross switched about every 7k mi. or so. I have aligned literally hundreds of vehicles of all makes, and it's your money, spend it as you wish, I have no argument with that, but a lot of people spend the money for an alignment because it makes them feel better, when nothing was changed because it didn't need to be. If you think that alignment people put the alignment in the center of the specks, think again. As long as it is WITHIN the specks, if even at the very edge of specks, I can guarantee you it's not likely to get changed, EVEN if it can be changed, which often it can't because there's no adjustment. I didn't do my alignments that way, but we started doing them inhouse because of the terrible results from several REPUTABLE alignment shops. Refer to my earlier post.
#12
Lexus Champion
I would get the alignment checked as a "precaution". I know I did the struts all around on my friends car, (my first time before i do mine), and we did as chilton and hayes state. And we got the alignment checked at Sears Auto, and the alignment was perfect they stated and we weren't charged anything.
#13
Super Moderator
I can understand because the cost of many alignments (at least in the U.S.) is high, $50+, usually approaching $100 with a Hunter machine (one that can do AWD vehicles for rear alignment). Right now, most of us have to keep $$$ under control. Still, keep in mind that one can test the vehicle after they have driven it out of the shop and BEFORE any alignment is done to see if anything feels off.
I'd still, given that shock/strut replacements are usually a once in the life of a vehicle thing, get an alignment at that point in time.
BTW, many of you remember that in Mexico I could get an AWD alignment on a Hunter machine for under $20 USD, because alignments were a common thing that were done given the road conditions.
I'd still, given that shock/strut replacements are usually a once in the life of a vehicle thing, get an alignment at that point in time.
BTW, many of you remember that in Mexico I could get an AWD alignment on a Hunter machine for under $20 USD, because alignments were a common thing that were done given the road conditions.
#14
Lexus Champion
I can understand because the cost of many alignments (at least in the U.S.) is high, $50+, usually approaching $100 with a Hunter machine (one that can do AWD vehicles for rear alignment). Right now, most of us have to keep $$$ under control. Still, keep in mind that one can test the vehicle after they have driven it out of the shop and BEFORE any alignment is done to see if anything feels off.
I'd still, given that shock/strut replacements are usually a once in the life of a vehicle thing, get an alignment at that point in time.
BTW, many of you remember that in Mexico I could get an AWD alignment on a Hunter machine for under $20 USD, because alignments were a common thing that were done given the road conditions.
I'd still, given that shock/strut replacements are usually a once in the life of a vehicle thing, get an alignment at that point in time.
BTW, many of you remember that in Mexico I could get an AWD alignment on a Hunter machine for under $20 USD, because alignments were a common thing that were done given the road conditions.
Yeah I can understand that.I must live in Pennsa-Mexico here then.....
#15
Lexus Champion
Lexus- Strut R&R in fact changes nothing. There are NO adjustments to be lost any more than there are adjustments to the water pump being lost when you change the water pump. I am aware that people want to feel good about their cars. Refer to my post about the FEA guy in the dealership I worked in many years ago. I will almost guarantee you that some of those people who got the "sunshine treatment" and payed for an alignment would SWEAR that their car drove better than it did before they brought it in. Did it? The story is as real as a heart attack. The difference is, then, most of the cars had plenty of alignment adjustments available. Today, you don't have even a fraction of the adjustments even available that you did then. Read the response that I am about to post to Salim.