I took my car to a good friend of the family's to get my springs put on. He did the job and everything is fine, but i was curious if i needed an alignment. I don't feel any problems. He said nothing gets shifted at all and there is no reason for an alignment. He also mentioned that customers sell this themselves, saying they need an alignment when it isn't necessary. I have known this guy for 8 years and he runs a very nice shop here in philadelphia. I know this guy wouldn't screw me. Now i am telling a friend about this and he says he always thought you needed an alignment after springs. Whats the real deal? My car has not been pulling or anything, i can drive down the road and let go of the wheel and i still go straight. please throw up some insight. HONESTLY, is an alignment necessary??

marc

 

Some places offer a free alignment check, try finding one and see. Maybe you're lucky

 

After I got my springs installed I needed an alignment. The Toe was way off from factory specs.

 

My CL-S definitely needed an alignment after getting the Comptech springs. My toe was off substantially.

 

Whats a toe? And BTW I am the friend with Marc is having this discussion. Very interested to know a result of this?

 

If you were to look down on your car from above, the TOE is the amount of turning in towards or out on the front wheels from midline of the car.

If I recall correctly, a little TOE in can improve cornering. Almost like having negative cambers; however, too much will cause more understeer.

Try checking www.tirerack.com . I believe they have a section explaining this.

 

I didn't need one after getting my H&R OE springs on.

My place did what your shop did and told me the same thing. They said that it wasn't absolutely necessary, only if the toe was out of spec and if the car was pulling. Mine, like yours, will go straight when I let go of the wheel. There is no pulling to one side, and my toe is not out of spec. So therefore I haven't gotten one yet.

 

my toe was off after i installed my ground control coilovers. i'd recommend getting one just for peace of mind. its only around $60 for a 4wheel alignment.

 

Good call!