New shocks - alignment question

[shane10]

Hi all, I'll be installing all 4 shock/strut assemblies in my 02' XLS. I decided to go with KYB strut plus after a lot of help and recommendations from the great folks here.
Anyways, I just had a question about alignment after installation. I know it's absolutely necessary, i'll be doing front UCA's as well. But my question is about spring settling.
Should I wait for the springs to settle before I get an alignment? It would make sense to me that the alignment would be thrown off if the height of the vehicle is different. And I have read with new shocks/struts that they can settle almost an inch after installation.
Some things I have read is wait 100 miles/1-2 weeks to allow the springs to settle.
I doubt this would hurt my tires too much since i'm sure alignment will be off.
Any recommendations?
Thanks

 

[shane10]

ALSO! Does anyone have any experience with DIY alignment kits? Not just the string method. But the kits that are put onto the outer diameter of the rim, are they accurate? I could see them saving me a lot of money in the future.
Thanks again!

 

[LMHmedchem]

The UCAs are probably more of an issue for your alignment than the struts. I always do an alignment right away after major suspension work and I don't remember any situation where the vehicle seemed to go out of alignment after a few weeks of driving. If your ride seems reasonable good after changing out the UCAs, then you could probably wait a bit. If it is pulling noticeably, or shaking at high speed, then I wouldn't wait to get it aligned.

I get my tires and alignments at Town Fair Tire. this shop is nice in that they don't do any repairs to the suspension themselves. If they find something that needs fixing, like a frozen tie rod end, the print you a report and you go and get it fixed yourself. The will re-do the alignment for free anytime within 60 days. It can be a hassle to go twice, but you know they are not pushing unnecessary repairs on you since they don't get anything out of it.

If you have a place like this around you, you could do the UCAs, or UCAs and front struts, and take it to be aligned. Then you could do the rears and drive for a while and then take it back for a re-check. Just call and ask you alignment shop what their policy is on re-doing the alignment after repairs. At any rate, I think that the major alignment issue is with the UCAs and not the struts.

LMHmedchem

 

[Joe in NY]

firestone has lifetime alignment and we got that for all of our cars. Being out of alignment really chews through tires. If you don't have a good alignment pretty much every warranty on any tire goes right out the door.

 

[apenland01]

^^^^ what Joe said......

I got my lifetime alignment at Firestone back in 2006 and they have done about 20 alignments for the $119 it cost me back then. If my Explorer smells like its out of alignment, I take it in and I'm squared away in a couple of hours. It gives me a reason to go to the pub next door and have a cold beer......

As for getting an alignment after struts, I would do it just because you are "re-leveling" things after installing them. Your ride will sit ever so slightly higher and your camber will be affected, becoming more positive than spec. You don't tighten all your bolts/nuts until you load the suspension, but even then, you may have slight discrepancies that can change the camber and/or toe and will make a big difference.

If money is an issue, just wait until you do all the work and get one alignment done.