Alignment needed?

[Porqupine82]

I broke a caliper bolt off in the spindle, and after drilling and drilling and drilling to no avail, decided it would be easier to just buy a used spindle to replace the old one. I cannot see why I would need to get realigned, as the geometry doesn't seem to change doing this, but I would just like a second opinion as to why or why not I need one. Vehicle is a 4th gen 4runner.

Thanks

 

[gm350reratliff]

If your previous steering knuckle was true and the new one is also true, then no, you shouldn't need an alignment. You could get one just to validate how true the new knuckle is though.

 

[Tech405]

Some dealerships sometimes have promotions like Free Alignment Checks. If you see one take advantage of it.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Wouldn't hurt, there's enough variation in just manufacturing and the fact it's used to possibly knock the alignment out a bit. Probably not enough to cause wear and/or maybe a slight pull; assuming the used one is as close to brand new/straight as possible. But it's not a bad idea to check/set the alignment afterwards.

 

[Porqupine82]

I broke a caliper bolt off in the spindle, and after drilling and drilling and drilling to no avail, decided it would be easier to just buy a used spindle to replace the old one. I cannot see why I would need to get realigned, as the geometry doesn't seem to change doing this, but I would just like a second opinion as to why or why not I need one. Vehicle is a 4th gen 4runner.

Thanks

Wouldn't hurt, there's enough variation in just manufacturing and the fact it's used to possibly knock the alignment out a bit. Probably not enough to cause wear and/or maybe a slight pull; assuming the used one is as close to brand new/straight as possible. But it's not a bad idea to check/set the alignment afterwards.

Finished the install. Vehicle doesn't pull. I'll get an alignment within the next couple weeks just to be safe

 

[Ezlife45]

Not a 4 runner but here's my story.

Purchased new upper control arms and lower ball joints for a truck. Installed everything Set the upper control arms exactly where the previous ones were. Vehicle drove normally - for a little bit. The wheel did not pull at all. One day while driving a bridge in the rain the wheels made a horrible pounding sound. Basically there was a steel expansion joint every 100 or so feet. The banging sound was the tires losing traction due to the alignment being off.

Made me scared to drive the vehicle in the rain. Got an alignment and all is well. Moral of the story - it's cheap insurance to get the alignment.