'95 DX Sedan D15B7.

OK, so I know after say, putting in a bushing kit you should have your front end alignment checked and adjusted if necessary, but when else should you have it checked?

After removing or replacing halfshafts also? Steering rack?

Ball joints for sure, right?

Does the back need to be aligned very often, typically? Mainly the front, right?

Thanks!

 

Any major suspension work or anything tied to the suspension, like tie rods. What do you need to verify SPECIFICALLY?
What did you do that you think you may need an alignment?

 

I am almost done putting in a bushing kit for the front end. Specifically pressed out bushings in LCA, upper control arm, top of strut, with a few more to go.

Also, I seem to need to replace halfshafts every now and then.

Also, I did a clutch job recently, so I had the lower damper fork off, and the halfshafts were off.

The bushings were all worn out, and I used to drive a lot, and the front tires on the inside would get worn a lot quicker than the rest. I also used to have a lot more weight in the car because I would haul parts around.

Now I don't drive the car for work 100 miles a day anymore, but I want to make sure the tires are going to last.

 

I think alignments are cheap I would do it for any suspension work I did. The car probably needed it anyways.

The only exception I would make is if I just had the car aligned a week ago and I did something today. If that was case you could probably get away with anything that did not changer your toe/camber/caster. So, depends on the car. If it is a cheap car that only has toe adjustments you could probably get away with just about anything except replacing tie rods/rack.


The rear alignment is just as important as the front alignment. What most people don't understand is if your car is pulling to one side it is probably because of your rear alignment.

 

Alignment. My rule of thumb is that if you even think you might need one, get one.

For the half-shafts, am I guessing correctly that the car is lowered?

 

Best thing to do is find a shop that has long-term alignments. I paid something like $150 for a 3 year alignment. Whenever I do work on the car, take it in for an alignment. Every 6 months, take it in for an alignment. Every time I hit a nasty, unexpected pot hole, take it in for an alignment. Easily pays for itself.

 

A little, how did you know?

 

Nice, I didn't know this existed, thanks!

 

Firestone does lifetime.
Because people that are extremely lowered always have problems with them. As long as you are that low you will continue to have them. Don't know if this applies to you though.

 

+1 for Firestone lifetime alignments.

 

Yes, hard to say of course. It isn't extreme.

Actually, most of the time I have changed the halfshafts because the boot was torn, or was cracked and about to tear. Before I knew better they would clunk, but I don't wait that long anymore.

I guess it isn't THAT often, since I was driving so many miles.

Once I caught the boots when they were cracked and not torn, so I got boot kits and just replaced the boots. It was a pain, but it saved me a few dollars (I was kinda broke at the time).

Is there something you can put on the boots to keep the rubber supple? I live near the ocean, so I don't know if that hurts it also. I do keep the car in the garage mostly when I am not driving it.

Maybe next time the boots crack I will buy some OEM boots if they are available, and some bands and grease. I have a couple different band tighteners, such as the one for the bandit-jr clamps.

Do the halfshaft joints mainly fail from the torn boots and then dirt getting in there, or do they just fail, or both? Will they always knock if they are failing?