I'm planning on installing new springs and struts on my car, but at the same time I need new tires since my old ones are almost down to the wear bars.

Should I get my new tires first before the alignment or afterwards?

Is it recommended to let the new lowering springs settle first before getting an alignment or can I can get one done at the same time I have the springs and struts installed?

The shop I'm planning on going to tells me it doesn't matter.

How long does it usually take for springs to settle?

Any special procedures I should be aware of?

 

If your springs "settle", something is wrong with them, or you failed to correctly clock the bushing to the new ride height.

Put the parts on the car, get it aligned, then replace the tires. It won't matter what order if you get it all done quickly. However, driving around after changing ride height will chew up tires, and you might as well chew up the old ones on the way to get the alignment. Heck, have the shop mount the tires immediately after alignment if you want.

 

you should get new tires before you get an alignment.

i wouldnt worry about waiting for the springs to settle. before tighten your rear suspension, i would jack up and put your rear suspension on jack stands before tightening it so that it it at ride height and your bushing wont be binding.

 

tires -> suspension -> alignment

get tires first so you know how your car will look with the new ride height.
If your worried about springs settling, drive it for a week or so, you shouldnt see any insane tire wear, unless you are slamming your car(which is stupid). 2 of my friends have been driving their cars for about a year without alignment after lowering their cars, i see no noticeable tire wear.

so get alignment last so can have everything perfect to your liking and not have to get repeated alignments.


Modified by TOO MUCH TORQUE at 4:36 PM 10/7/2008

 

whatever you do get the alignment last, or get one of those unlimitedf 3 year deals get aligned whenever you change something, after installing the new tires get ur alignment soon after

 

thanks for the quick replies, I guess I'll do the alignment last then.

How many miles should I drive on the new suspension parts before getting one?

Is there a break-in or settle period?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PhatRoyale &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thanks for the quick replies, I guess I'll do the alignment last then.

How many miles should I drive on the new suspension parts before getting one?

Is there a break-in or settle period?</TD></TR></TABLE>

dont really need to but if you must a week or so. I got my alignment after 3 days of driving. After installing koni/gc my ride height didnt change at all, but now with 10k on them, the ride has softened just a bit.

 

great, guess I'll do that then, thanks!

 

is there a difference if you install the coilovers then get an alightment and then get new tires later?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johnnynguy3n &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">is there a difference if you install the coilovers then get an alightment and then get new tires later?</TD></TR></TABLE>

unless you get the same size tires again

then its

mainly looks..

smaller tires=more fender to wheel gap vice versa.

 

I don't think there is a difference. I did it in that order and I'm still alive, and so is my car.

 

dont mean to thread jack but i have the same question excepte will they align our cars with no camber kit and dropped pretty low?

 

who is they? as long as they can safely get your car on the lift, they should do it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chee_dog &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">dont mean to thread jack but i have the same question excepte will they align our cars with no camber kit and dropped pretty low?</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah but all they will be able to do is set the toe front and rear, having toe set properly will make ur car handle better and will save ur tires, I would also rotate the tires about every 5k on a really low ride, all cars for that matter just more important on lowered cars with bad camber