Do I need an alignment with a strut change?

[arbailey]

I'm getting the Lakewood 70/30 drag struts and 50/50 rear shocks. When I change the struts do I need an alignment or not. I'm getting different opinions from people. Also the Chilton manual says to "check the alignment" and the Haynes manual does not mention an alignment at all. Any thoughts???

 

[HISSIN50]

If all you do is remove the one stud on the top of the strut, you might not need to worry. IF doing CC plates, etc, obviously get an alignment.

As an aside, some alignment shops will do an 'alignment check' for like 10 bucks (it used to be free back in the day). That can give you peace of mind. If you choose to get an alignment, the cost for the check is often put toward the alignment.

Good luck.

 

[arbailey]

Thanks. Yeah just changing the struts and shocks no caster/camber plates. Looking at it, I don't see how there is any "adjustment" in the strut itself. There's one large nut at the top, and two bolts/nuts in the spindle.

 

[HISSIN50]

Thanks. Yeah just changing the struts and shocks no caster/camber plates. Looking at it, I don't see how there is any "adjustment" in the strut itself. There's one large nut at the top, and two bolts/nuts in the spindle.

One can remove the entire 'stock CC plate' on top of the strut tower, and that would require an alignment afterwards (I did that when doing struts since I replaced all the bushings in there).
But if you can get that one nut loose (good luck - some folks really fight it), then it should be plug and play (no real room for adjustment).

Good luck.

 

[arbailey]

Thanks. I put new KYB's on about 2 years ago and got the nut off then so it should come off pretty easy (I hope).