Do I need to get an allignment after having the A-Spec suspension installed? I have heard conflicting stories. I recently read on another thread to wait a little while to let the springs settle. Opinions?

 

yes you do either way. you don't have to get it right away, you may experience none to minimal tire wear, but after 2 weeks or so the springs should have settled enough and then you can get a alignment. Or you can get it right away, the .5 inch drop isn't that big of a deal.

 

Alignment is not required as it may still be within spec after the drop. The drop is so minimal that it should have very little effect on the alignment.

 

For 1/2inch, I wouldn't do an alignment job. Not needed as the drop is very minor. DOn't waste your $$$ on it!!! If you lower anything over 1.5 inches then it is highly recommended.

 

so your saying i should cancel my appointment for an alignment?

 

I would not spend the $$, but if it makes you feel good go ahead and get it done.

 

haha- no not really i was just under the impression from reading all of the other posts that it "must" be done.......good thing i found this out--my appointment was tomorrow

 

It made me feel better. I am of the opinion that when you change any component of the suspension, you should re-align your car just to be sure.

I guess we differ only in degrees, because I understand your point about the minimal lowering effect, and the "chances" of something being out of spec. For me, the peace of mind in terms of normal tire-wear etc. etc. was worth it.

 

I am planning on having the A-Spec suspension installed and the dealers installation price includes a 4-wheel alignment. Since you have already gone through this, after the alignment did they tell you how much "out of alignment" you were?

 

man-i wish i had my own alignment rack! i hate paying other people to work on my car (i installed the steering wheel as well, so even if i dont get a full alignment, i still need the toe adjusted.

 

Treblig, that is a good question. I wish I had thought to ask, but I didn't.

 

What did you all pay at a dealership for the install of the suspension? How did you negotiate it, because almost none of the dealers I talked to will come off of the book price - 1.2+ hours per corner * hourly rate of $80-95 per hour. The one that will charge the actual time worked has never installed an A-Spec package. What to do?

BTW, all 4 dealerships that I called argued that the A-spec package is normally installed at the factory. After telling them that they are wrong ten times I told them to ask their service manager... guess who was right?

 

They don't know much about the cars they work on do they? Now that's kinda scary

 

What a frickin joke. Dealers SUCK. 1.2 hours per corner, must include a coffee break, a couple trips to the sh!tter and a :15 minute nap berfore moving on to the next corner. It took me all of about three hours for all four sides and I don't consider myself that good or that quick, since I used hand tools.

 

I have a freind that works at a Acura dealer ship. Every A-spec that was installed was off when it came time for the allignment. So if I was you I would get it.

 

What does off mean? Was it still within spec, but not to the techs liking or did it fall outside the range?

In the A-spec instructions I believe it states that it should be checked to see if it falls within specs and if necessary make adjustments. I'd bet $$ that 1/2" does not throw the car out of the range unless the car has been set up before the drop with the most aggresive negative camber allowed to stay within the range, then it may fall outside the window, after the shocks are installed, and an alignment would be needed.

 

Yet another reason to do it DIY.

 

i did mine myself-it was suprisingly simple...no way a skilled tech would take that long to do it...

 

When I had my A-Spec suspension installed, I was given the option of an alignment. I had it done because I wanted to be sure the car was in spec, and didn't want to worry about excessive tire wear. I didn't ask whether the car was out of spec before the alignment, though.

 

well- i had mine done last night....i'll scan in the printout and post it later...

only the rear was "slightly" out of spec...probably didnt have to get it done--but at least my steering wheel is straight now :-)

 

Dealers suck big time. I took my brand new '05 A-Spec rims for them to mount the tires and guess what.... yeap, they scratched one of the rims.

That’s why I am going to do the S-Spec suspension myself tomorrow. If something goes wrong... no one to blame but me.

 

did dealer try to fix your damaged rim?

 

No. They don't even have a touch up paint for it. It is the '05 rim, kind of weird color. It is not a big scratch, but it sucks to have brand new rims, just took them out the boxes and they screw one up. I will have to live with that.

 

I wouldn't live with it. Raise hell. They at least owe you the money it will cost to fix the rim.

 

I guess you are right. I just finished installing rims & suspension. Found scratches on the clear coat, other than the "bad" one. Will try buffering tomorrow and see what happens. The bad one has no fix other than repainting the rim, despite the small size.