When Front End Alignment is Necessary

[WaWaZat]

What parts of the front suspension on a 2G FWD require that an alignment be done when removed/replaced?

 

[Dream On]

Tie rods, ball joints, I'm sure there's more though...

 

[Talon ESI-T]

Text book reply.....all ball joints and tie rods, and wheel bearings.


The shops around me do a 1 year warrenty so inquire about that, make near future plans less expensive and alignment as accurate as possible.


Terry

 

[WaWaZat]

So R&Ring the lower control arm, lateral arm, shock fork (for drive shaft seal replacement) and stabilizer bar & links won't require an alignment?

 

[Forced4]

I would suggest having it looked at anytime you take front suspension or steering related parts off. If you know for a fact you alignment is right on, and you know all your parts are in perfect shape you shouldn't need to align it, but how often can you say you "know" your alignment is in spec unless you have had it done recently?

Just my .02
Rich
Forced 4

 

[WaWaZat]

I would suggest having it looked at anytime you take front suspension or steering related parts off. If you know for a fact you alignment is right on, and you know all your parts are in perfect shape you shouldn't need to align it, but how often can you say you "know" your alignment is in spec unless you have had it done recently?

Just my .02
Rich
Forced 4

Excellent point...but I did just recently have it done. So why go throught the trouble if I don't have to? I believe the only adjustments are the tierods, right (aside from my camber adj on the upper C arms, but those'll be staying on)? So am I correct in thinking, anything can come off cept the tierods & it won't affect alignment?

 

[wret]

Text book reply.....all ball joints and tie rods, and wheel bearings.

Add to that: control arms, knuckles, and height adjustments.

 

[Talon ESI-T]

IF your just replacing the seal in the trans, you really dont need to remove all of that.

All you really need to remove (assuming you can remove the axle from the hub) is unbolt the Shock wishbone from the lateral arm. Then unbolt the lateral Arm from the front subframe and you can pivot the knuckle outwards to slide the axle out of the hub. Then you can remove the axle from the trans and replace your seal. Would save you a lot of work. This is how I do it when I drop my trans.

If you cant remove the axle from the hub, all you would need to do to gain additional clearance would be to remove the two bolts from the compression arm mount in the subframe under the car.

If you plan to remove the arms completely, be careful you dont tear the ball joint boots. In order to replace the boot only you need to special order the dealer boot. Some aftermarket universal boots fit but they are very hard to find.

Sorry to go off topic but thought you could use a few other ideas too.

Good luck

Terry

 

[WaWaZat]

Add to that: control arms, knuckles, and height adjustments.

How would removing control arms affect alignment? Aren't they just bolted in statically? What do you mean by knuckle & height adj?

Talon ESI-T - great advise...thanx! I'm replacing some of the prothane bushings while I'm in there to, so I plan on dropping the control arms. Then I don't think I'll have to worry about breaking the shaft free from the hub.

 

[Forced4]

As I said in prior post..not currently reading it of course, but I think I said it. As long asd you know that ecerything will bolt right back in the same place and the alignment is good now, you should be fine. I replaced both frront axles with no affect on my alignment. Now, keeping that in mind. If your suspension bushings are weak/worn, or cracked, and you install poly bushings you may change the alignment slighly. It may not be enough to be concerned about, but it may happen. If you have a warranty where it was aligned, see if they will toss it up there again and check it. DO NOT tell them you just messed with all that stuff or I am sure they will void any warranty. If poss go to another location that can honor the warranty. You could say you installed all that and had it adjusted, but you want to make sure everythings still ok, since....(you're in IL, right)...then since you hit one of those famous pot-holes that are carefully laiden all over. I am not saying to lie to them, but mearly embellish a little.

Rich
Forced 4
(originally from Hoffman Estates, IL)

 

[wret]

How would removing control arms affect alignment? Aren't they just bolted in statically? What do you mean by knuckle & height adj?

I don't know how close the tolerences are between replacement parts, but that could be a factor. The ams and knuckles come with squishy rubber bushings attached to them. Changing them means that more than likely, the suspension comes to rest in a slighly different position. Just changing a lateral arm should not have a great effect on alignment but I wouldn't stake my tire investment on it.

Changing ride height effects toe and requires re-alignment.