mctuners

As far as I know, I need to get a wheel alignment after the springs are settled after 50 something miles.
Now, the question I have is, would it be dangerous to drive 1,000+ miles right after lowering the car without getting alignment?
Would I see severe uneven wear on tires?
Thank you!

Brian231

I would honestly go for the alignment asap.

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

No you are not going to see anyting from 1000 miles. IMO i waited 2 mos before I did my alignment. Its only the TOE that is adjusted and its not off that much. You are probably just pushing factory specs with the car lowered. IMO I would take the trip as the springs need time to settle. If you get the alingment now you will need to go in for a 2nd one.

Check suspension section...there is a thread I started with this info so you can see my car along with a few other members with before and after info.

Enjoy the trip! Take some good pics for us

APBT4Me

NO!!! Drive at least 500-1000 miles before getting an alignment. Springs/coils need to settle and if you get an alignment right away you will be getting one in a 1000 miles. There is no risk to driving your lowered car for a little bit before getting the alignment so do it, drive the car and around 500-1000 miles after your lowering job go get an alignment.

fyi...realize that due to the lack of camber adjustments on our cars you will burn tires quicker and most likely expericence more interior wear on the tires.

100plus

thanks for that info , im lowering my car on springs this weekend.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

It doesn't take that long for the springs to settle. I had lifetime alignment on my car and my alignment readout was the same from 100 miles after the install to 2500 miles.

APBT4Me

look, not every car responds the same way to mods, similar to how the dyno results for individual cars vary and they vary even more once you start modding. some cars will take longer than others settle...a good rule of thumb is put at least 500 mile on the car before doing an alignment.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Now it depends who you talk to. I know not every cars are the same, but I would not recommend driving 500 miles for those who are low. Your toe will be off a good deal compared to oem toe spec. 500 miles with horrible toe will do a lot of tire wear, more than you think. Spend $150 for a lifetime alignment, or $300 for a new set of tires in the near future. Now if you have a very mild drop, then you can get away with 500 miles. Looks like the original poster is going on a 1000+ mile road trip. By the end of the trip, his tires probably wont have ideal wear.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

BTW this thread needs to be in the suspension and brake forum.

APBT4Me

i agree that if he is going on a road trip the alignment should be done first...that said he should still put a couple hundred miles on it before the road trip...if this is not a possibility then it was bad timing for doing the lowering job.


about the cost of alignment vs. tires...even if you have extreme wear on sticky performance tires driving 500 mile wont do more damage than shortening the life of the tire by 5-10% and that is a hgih estimate for extreme wear. if an alignemnt is done too early and the car settles more you have the same expense of tire wear and now the inclusion of a 2nd alignment. the best idea is to wait a few hundred miles at least 500 is the most common answer i have heard and best decision based on my experiences.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

The thing is, the spring will not drastically settle down to the point where your alignment will change dramatically. If anything, it will settle just a bit, but nowhere as bad as dropping your car 2" lower.

This is why I like lifetime alignment because I will be getting more than 1 alignment during the life of my car. Just have to find the right guy to do the job. I put on at least 100 miles onto my car after lowering and they usually get the same spec after 1000 miles of driving.

I say if he's going on a roadtrip soon, then get the alignment done now. Even if alignment changes on the way to his destination, it wont be as bad as right now.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Done. Just curious - if a car needs mileage on it before it is aligned, what do they do at the factory?

And I've run Dunlop D40M2s to the cords on the inside in 6k miles because of bad toe.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

You bring up a very good point. I'm sure they dont drive each car 500 miles just for the suspension itself. Hell, even the Lexus dealerships around here will do an alignment right after they install new springs/shocks. I've never heard them tell their customers to come back within 500 miles for alignment.