H&R springs are on, alignment now or later?

limitup · 13th April 2006, 18:53

I keep hearing conflicting information about getting an alignment after changing out the springs. The old rule of thumb was to let springs settle for 500 miles or so and then get an alignment. Then a lot of people (and maybe even the manufacturers I don't know) started saying this isn't necessary because these days high quality springs are manufactured in a way that there is little or no settling after they are installed. I've searched and read tons of posts and I still don't know which is the "right" way to go. The shop that installed my springs preps tons of race cars (mostly BMWs) and the installer swears to me that H&R springs WILL settle 1/8th to 1/4 inch after installation so he suggests getting an alignment 500 miles or so later. I guess ideally you'd do one now and one 500 miles later, but it seems like a waste of money considering this is no 1 hour job ...

e6tme · 13th April 2006, 19:21

Well, if you do the alignment now and the springs settle, how much is a 1/4 of an inch going to throw out the alignment? Nothing you would notice, and probably a fraction of what that pothole you hit next week is going to do!

Just do the alignment now and get it over with...

royk · 13th April 2006, 21:13

The issue is when the suspension has been reassembled given that spring replacement requires the removal/reinstall of dampers, all the settings (toe, camber, less so caster) could be out of spec.

Driving with the suspension out of spec will not only lead to premature and unpredictable tire wear, it can also make the behaviour of the car unpredictable if you put some stress on the suspension during some spirited driving.

So, getting the alignment ASAP is a good idea; you can always go back and check it in 500 miles.

20C4S · 14th April 2006, 08:43

always do the alignment after any type of the suspension related work. simple, ur alignment is totally off now because all the shocks etc were removed & then put back. u hear conflicting information because people/shops are being lazy. springs do settle that means u need a second alignment to double check if the first alignment was off. if the car was aligned at the 1st place the second round should be just double checking & fine tuning if needed. i'd never let my customers drive off the lot without the alignment after suspension work. simple as that.

willturner · 14th April 2006, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by e6tme

Well, if you do the alignment now and the springs settle, how much is a 1/4 of an inch going to throw out the alignment? Nothing you would notice, and probably a fraction of what that pothole you hit next week is going to do!

Just do the alignment now and get it over with...

Wow, Well said....

H&R Springs will not settle..there "Bloc set" and already set where there going to end up......

I really liked the above answer though....

-WT

TCM · 14th April 2006, 16:03

Get it alined ASAP as stated above. The slighest changes can have long standing effects on an unaligned car.

Indy_M5 · 15th April 2006, 03:22

Not sure where your "conflicting" information came from because every single reputable resource that I asked this of was ADAMANT about doing it immediately. There is nothing to gain from waiting and everything (not the least of which are your tires) to lose.

I have the H&R springs and have for about a month. DO THE ALIGNMENT NOW. My car has not settled one bit.

gbogh3 · 15th April 2006, 06:06

you do the alingment at the sametime you do the new suspension. If it is not done the same day, then shortly there after. 3 cars done this way

Yohon · 15th April 2006, 18:13

I also changed the H&R springs on mine, and go to do the alingnment soon.
Because I still use the stock wheels and I like the original design, so I put the 13mm spacers on each because I cannot wait to get H&R's spacers.....
And I didn't feel anything wrong even I used the 13mm spacers.

limitup · 15th April 2006, 18:23

What are you using spacers with the stock wheels?