coil overs

[Santiago0429]

i just bought me some coil overs for my car (2000 gts) i dont remember if i need an alighnment after i change them. i know i need a camber adjustment. plz help

[PiroGT]

Your question is confusing me a bit; I'm going try and clear it up...if you dont want to read just go to the TL;DR at the bottom.

Originally Posted by Santiago0429

i just bought me some coil overs for my car (2000 gts) i dont remember if i need an alighnment after i change them. i know i need a camber adjustment. plz help

Based on the way you stated your question, I believe that you think an alignment is a toe adjustment. Just to clear it up for you an alignment is a package of services. A typical alignment adjust you camber/caster/toe.

When you lower a vehicle the thing that suffers the most change is you camber. It has the tendency to add negative camber. Obviously you already know that...but I feel like typing so Funk it. Camber is the most important reason to get an alignment after fucking with your ride hight. Your cars OEM camber range is between -.75 and .75 degres[2]. If you were to lower your car a bit then you should be fine. But I highly doubt thats the case because everyone knows lower is better.
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Now the other big reason to get an alignment is your toe. I think that your question is basically asking, "if by installing coilers, will your toe change". Well thats difficult to answer. Your toe is set by whats called your tie rods(inner& outer), the outer tie rod is either pushed in or out to adjust your toe. I suppose that if you were really careful and what not your toe would stay the same. I have changed my ride hight many times and only one time did I mess up my toe. (I was installing ebay and had to hammer away at some **** and grind other parts but that was old stupid me...) even that time it wasn't horrible messed up. Keep in mind thought that a bad toe setting even off by just the smalles bit means your tire and ride quality will both go to **** rather fast.
[1]

With that said.
You will need to go in and set your camber once you have the car at the proper height. Once you go in for an alignment have them do it all. Yes you might spend a few extra bucks but it will save your tire. I find it idiotic to spend a bunch on coilovers but nothing to have them setup correctly...


TL;DR Yes you need an alignment after installing coilovers. **** my coilovers said it right on the packaging papers.


Sources;
[1] Wheel Alignments - Discount Tire
[2] | Repair Guides | Wheel Alignment | Wheel Alignment Specifications | AutoZone.com