So I took in a car to get the 4-wheel alignment done but as the guy put it on the lift, he noticed that one of the CV boots was torn. He mentioned that it would be pointless to do a wheel alignment now because as soon as you disconnect the axle/CV boot to get it repaired or change, the alignment will change as well. True or false?

 

Its not totally true, if the shop is competent they wont have to disassemble the entire susp just to remove an axle from a Honda. I dont do alignments after Ive pulled an axle nor does the dealership I work at.

 

This may be true for some vehicles with MacPherson strut suspension, but not really true for double wishbone suspension as found on many Honda vehicles. What vehicle do you have?

I've replaced many axles on double wishbone cars without having them aligned.

As mentioned, it also depends on who is doing the work. A technician familiar with Hondas will only need to separate the lower ball joint, remove the bolt from the damper mounting fork, and remove the axle nut to change an axle. It's a very simple and minimally intrusive process.

 

Its for an 1996 Integra. So it is possible that someone replacing an axle may inadvertently adjust the alignment?

Speaking of axles though, is there any garage shop chains that you would recommend I have it replaced at? I'm not the most mechanically inclined to do it myself but I have installed my own struts/springs.

 

Yeah I've never gotten an alignment after changing an axle, but it can affect alignment a slight bit. Probably not enough to make much of a difference in tire wear, though.

 

your fine! you wont need an alignment after you replace the axle!!! they prob just trying to make you pay for axle replacement to make more moneys

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B16B_coupe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">your fine! you wont need an alignment after you replace the axle!!! they prob just trying to make you pay for axle replacement to make more moneys</TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually I think the guy was trying to help him out by saying he should wait until the axle is replaced, whether or not it was correct. The shop didn't make any money off him that day. If they were just trying to make more money, they would have gone ahead and done the alignment, then informed him afterwards of the axle issue, and then told him it would need another alignment afterwards.

 

guess thats true to..