Hey everybody. I am considering changing the springs in my Equinox (both front and back.) I know that when you replace struts/shocks that an alignment is required but was curious if it is the same for springs? Thanks in advance!
New Springs = Alignment?
- Thread starter Bgallagher
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Well if you have a strut setup, and the strut has to be removed, then the rule of thumb is the same. Spring replacement requires removal of struts.
I agree and disagree at the same time, some cars have camber adjust and things built into the strut, some do not. I have replaced struts on cars before that do not, and the alignment was pretty much unchanged afterwards.
I agree and disagree at the same time, some cars have camber adjust and things built into the strut, some do not. I have replaced struts on cars before that do not, and the alignment was pretty much unchanged afterwards.
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Depends on the condition of the shocks, if they were blown out, the car will be lower so the alignment will be set for the old springs, where as the new ones may sit up 1/4 inch higher leaving the alignment off.... It's your call on this one, I would get it done for piece of mind.
OE struts are often not adjustable for camber so they should go in close to where they came out.
However a little change in camber can mean a significant one in toe. You can judge this by the centering of your steering wheel, unless of course you are unlucky and screw it up the same amount on both sides.
Can also shoot a laser at your rear tires from 4 and 8 oclock on your fronts. Do a before and after, it should just barely miss both times.
However a little change in camber can mean a significant one in toe. You can judge this by the centering of your steering wheel, unless of course you are unlucky and screw it up the same amount on both sides.
Can also shoot a laser at your rear tires from 4 and 8 oclock on your fronts. Do a before and after, it should just barely miss both times.
Interesting stuff.
To give a little detail. Last year I replaced the struts and shocks so they are still in good condition. I don't plan on adjusting so it would be replacing worn springs with OE springs. Strut removal would be needed in the front but not in the back. I don't have the right air tools for the struts so I figure I will replace the rears and have the fronts installed with an alignment. That way there isnt a chance that any harm will come from it being changed.
To give a little detail. Last year I replaced the struts and shocks so they are still in good condition. I don't plan on adjusting so it would be replacing worn springs with OE springs. Strut removal would be needed in the front but not in the back. I don't have the right air tools for the struts so I figure I will replace the rears and have the fronts installed with an alignment. That way there isnt a chance that any harm will come from it being changed.
We put new springs on my dads 1970 Chevy full size wagon when it was about 8 years old. We wanted to go extra high and put in something just one size higher (springs for the same vehicle with AC, his did not have AC. The vehicle did not have enough adjustment to bring it into alignment. We had to go with original specked springs. And yes the increase in height did require an alignment.
Any independent suspension vehicle is going to have camber problems any time you change a spring.
Shocks don't affect ride height.
Shocks don't affect ride height.
JHZR2
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Id align given any change on the suspension. Wont the shocks cause the suspension to sit higher or lower than before?
Originally Posted By: AVB
Why are you replacing the springs? Is it sagging?
Yeah, compared to other Equinoxs on the road mine is significantly lower. Considering I am the original owner I know there isnt any mods done to my car so it is sagging springs.
Why are you replacing the springs? Is it sagging?
Yeah, compared to other Equinoxs on the road mine is significantly lower. Considering I am the original owner I know there isnt any mods done to my car so it is sagging springs.
I'd get an alignment done. i had an 05 Grand Cherokee that needed new springs around 100k because they were sagging and had poor ride quality. Initially I replaced shocks first with minimal improvement, which is why i ended up doing springs too. The shop that put the springs in did a free alignment check after and sure enough it was out of alignment. Not a big deal, a cheap way to ensure you are getting even tire wear IMO.
May as well get the alignment done. Cars do tend to need one every few years, in my experience.
You replace the strut and did an alignment with the sagging spring, now you replace the sagging spring, so your old alignment is no longer valid because it was compensating for the sagging spring.
I'd do an alignment for that.
I'd do an alignment for that.
Great info guys, thanks!
Originally Posted By: Brenden
Depends on the condition of the shocks, if they were blown out, the car will be lower so the alignment will be set for the old springs, where as the new ones may sit up 1/4 inch higher leaving the alignment off.... It's your call on this one, I would get it done for piece of mind.
Worn shocks or struts do not change ride height.
Springs do.
If someone does put in new springs, drive it for 100+ miles before an alignment.
Depends on the condition of the shocks, if they were blown out, the car will be lower so the alignment will be set for the old springs, where as the new ones may sit up 1/4 inch higher leaving the alignment off.... It's your call on this one, I would get it done for piece of mind.
Worn shocks or struts do not change ride height.
Springs do.
If someone does put in new springs, drive it for 100+ miles before an alignment.
^^^This is critical. You must DRIVE the vehicle a while to 'settle' the suspension in first. Springs relax and bushes distort during the work.
Otherwise you align it once now and again in a few weeks.
Sorry, Mechtech, but you forgot gas charged shocks on many cars now. They indeed CAN change ride height a bit!
Otherwise you align it once now and again in a few weeks.
Sorry, Mechtech, but you forgot gas charged shocks on many cars now. They indeed CAN change ride height a bit!
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Sorry, Mechtech, but you forgot gas charged shocks on many cars now. They indeed CAN change ride height a bit!
I thought that all modern shocks and struts were gas charged, but that the gas was only to enhance the dampening performance, not change ride height.
Please explain how a gas charge shock or strut could change vehicle height.
I am not talking about load balancing/spring assisted/load levelers/air shocks.
Sorry, Mechtech, but you forgot gas charged shocks on many cars now. They indeed CAN change ride height a bit!
I thought that all modern shocks and struts were gas charged, but that the gas was only to enhance the dampening performance, not change ride height.
Please explain how a gas charge shock or strut could change vehicle height.
I am not talking about load balancing/spring assisted/load levelers/air shocks.
Sorry, but they're not all gas charged at all.
On many cars the pressure that extends the shock is enough to alter the ride height. I've put gas charged shocks on my fleet vans that you need a jack to compress!
If you have a car with a poor suspension design the camber can change significantly as the ride height varies.
On many cars the pressure that extends the shock is enough to alter the ride height. I've put gas charged shocks on my fleet vans that you need a jack to compress!
If you have a car with a poor suspension design the camber can change significantly as the ride height varies.
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
^^^This is critical. You must DRIVE the vehicle a while to 'settle' the suspension in first. Springs relax and bushes distort during the work.
Otherwise you align it once now and again in a few weeks.
Sorry, Mechtech, but you forgot gas charged shocks on many cars now. They indeed CAN change ride height a bit!
No, I didn't forget about gas shocks. They have been the standard for decades - just about all you can get. We are talking VERY low pressure, to keep the fluid down at the bottom of the strut/shock to prevent aeration. A few lbs vs 500 or for springs.
^^^This is critical. You must DRIVE the vehicle a while to 'settle' the suspension in first. Springs relax and bushes distort during the work.
Otherwise you align it once now and again in a few weeks.
Sorry, Mechtech, but you forgot gas charged shocks on many cars now. They indeed CAN change ride height a bit!
No, I didn't forget about gas shocks. They have been the standard for decades - just about all you can get. We are talking VERY low pressure, to keep the fluid down at the bottom of the strut/shock to prevent aeration. A few lbs vs 500 or for springs.
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Note that not all are low pressure. Unless you call the 360 psi that Monroe uses in a particular application "low"!
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