Been doing some research on shock replacement, and from what I can gather it's likely there's no affect on alignment if the ride height isn't changing (e.g. OEM shocks being replaced with new OEM shocks and existing OEM springs).

If I understand correctly the front shock replacement requires disconnecting the upper control arm, and as long as that's stock (no camber kit/adjustable upper ball joint) I'm thinking it will not alter the alignment. The rear shocks don't require messing with the controls arms at all, and shouldn't impact the alignment.

Can anyone who's more versed at suspension setups confirm?

 

Depends, springs sag and new dampers are stiffer which will affect your ride height. It probably won't affect your alignment significantly but it will change. Read your tire wear at the outer edge of the tread after a few weeks, that will tell you if you need an alignment.

Most places give you a free alignment check. I would spend the $160 for the a lifetime alignment.

 

Wouldn’t the ride height only change if the springs were changed out? The new dampers being stiffer makes sense but I’m thinking (could be wrong) that wouldn’t have an affect while stationary, hence the alignment wouldn’t change.

Appreciate the input!

 

Springs are the main thing setting ride height as the springs determine how much the suspension can move. Dampers control the timing of that motion as well as contributing to ride height as they have their own spring rate. S2ks with really blown shocks look lowered.

 

I still have a hard time wrapping my brain around the idea that springs in a car (especially like this) would ever “sag”. Even if the car bottomed out it is much less than the point where this spring steel (literally) is going to deform.

 

All springs sag eventually. Except for torsion bar springs.

That said I wouldn't worry about sagging springs until your 3rd shock replacement, give or take.

 

Your alignment will not change, all things being equal- changing dampers like for like.

darcy

 

I've said it before, but my OEM springs have sagged well before 100k miles on my original set of OEM shocks.

I placed them side by side newer springs and they were perhaps an inch or two [noticeably] shorter -- same part numbers.

I tried in earnest to find a picture as proof, but I could not.

 

i would imagine that disconnecting the control arms would have some effect on your alignment.

 

That’s exactly what I’m hoping to confirm - the stock upper control arms have no alignment bolts/adjustment, but would disconnecting and reconnecting risk altering the camber (or toe/caster)?

Does anyone know for certain?