Alignment with bilstiens?

Joined
14 May 2007
Messages
11,224
Location
Beaumont, Texas
Well I finally found some used Bilstiens {thanks wil "Angus"] and now the big question is. Once installed, What do I need to tell my alignment shop as far as aligment specs. Car is only coming down around an inch so. Thank's.
 
aren't bilsteins just shocks? so unless there is a change of springs involved... how is the car coming down an inch?

the bottom line is... if there is going to be any change in the geometry of the suspension (as happens when the car is lowered) then you need an alignment. just changing shocks shouldn't affect the ride height or geometry.
 
Many of the Bilsteins have a second perch which drop the car 1".

You WILL need an alignment and just tell them to align to factory specs. You may not get all the way there, however.
 
Even if you decided not to lower the car, it would still need an alignment when replacing the shocks.
 
They will need to align the car to 93+ alignment specs (which is what is programmed into the alignment machines for the most part for the NSX anyway). You will most likely be able to get the front/rear toe and the caster into spec. The camber might or might not come into spec.
Camber seems to vary by car and by wheel/tire setup.
 
They will need to align the car to 93+ alignment specs (which is what is programmed into the alignment machines for the most part for the NSX anyway). You will most likely be able to get the front/rear toe and the caster into spec. The camber might or might not come into spec.
Camber seems to vary by car and by wheel/tire setup.
I'll let them know, thank's.:smile:
 
out of curiosity... why?

Think about it.. You are changing out the some of the cars' major suspension components. Over time, a vehicle settles and becomes used to it's setup. When you put new shocks on, you are essentially taking the car 'out of balance', thus needing an alignment.

I have this same setup on the lower perch. FWIW, the two shops I took it to had a tough time aligning the car. They were not able to get it to spec.
 
Think about it.. You are changing out the some of the cars' major suspension components. Over time, a vehicle settles and becomes used to it's setup. When you put new shocks on, you are essentially taking the car 'out of balance', thus needing an alignment.

springs "settle" over time... a shock doesn't settle. a shock is not a load-bearing part of the suspension... it simply regulates the rate of spring motion :)
 
Back
Top