When to get an alignment.... ???

[econhonda]

I've got OME 881's, 906's, 90004, and 60027 shocks sitting in my house right now. I've also got some 265/75/16 tires sitting in my garage that are all BEGGING to be installed on my 4runner.

So my question is simple: When should I get the wheels aligned? Right after I throw everything together? I've heard the coils "settle" a little at first. Does that mean I should wait? I really don't want to drive around on my old 265/70's, but do you think that would be better while the coils settle?

Or am I worrying about something that I shouldn't be?

Thanks,

 

[brian2sun]

It will take a few months or longer for the coils to fully settle so go ahead and throw it all on including the new tires and get it aligned. You may need another alignment on your next set of tires down the road to correct the little bit that they've settled.

Also, don't let the shop align it before they install the new tires. A lot of shops will do this if it fits their schedule better and it's never as accurate. They might tell you it doesn't matter, but it does. Alignments should always be done after the new ones are on.

 

[econhonda]

It will take a few months or longer for the coils to fully settle so go ahead and throw it all on including the new tires and get it aligned. You may need another alignment on your next set of tires down the road to correct the little bit that they've settled.

Also, don't let the shop align it before they install the new tires. A lot of shops will do this if it fits their schedule better and it's never as accurate. They might tell you it doesn't matter, but it does. Alignments should always be done after the new ones are on.

Thanks Brian. Did you end up using the front trim packer on your 883's? I think it's only 5 mm, and is designed to level things out, but I'm not even sure if I'll use it.

 

[brian2sun]

I didn't get a trim packer with my 883s, but I sit level side-to-side. My pre-assembled struts (from Toytec) came labeled as driver and passenger sides, so I think maybe the 883 coil itself has a little higher spring rate on the driver's side. I'm not sure about the 881s, maybe Dylan can pipe in and say for sure.??...

I did get 10mm trim packers to lift my ass end back up after putting on the CBI rear bumper, but so far I've only lost like an 1/8" in height which is pretty impressive for the 891s considering the bumper must weigh >225 lbs. with the tire on there. I'm just gonna probably save the trim packers and see if my 891s go down any more in the future. One thing I will say is once you add a few hundred lbs., the OME heavies ride absolutely amazing on and off road!

 

[econhonda]

I didn't get a trim packer with my 883s, but I sit level side-to-side. My pre-assembled struts (from Toytec) came labeled as driver and passenger sides, so I think maybe the 883 coil itself has a little higher spring rate on the driver's side. I'm not sure about the 881s, maybe Dylan can pipe in and say for sure.??...

I did get 10mm trim packers to lift my ass end back up after putting on the CBI rear bumper, but so far I've only lost like an 1/8" in height which is pretty impressive for the 891s considering the bumper must weigh >225 lbs. with the tire on there. I'm just gonna probably save the trim packers and see if my 891s go down any more in the future. One thing I will say is once you add a few hundred lbs., the OME heavies ride absolutely amazing on and off road!

Good to know. Thanks for the info.

 

[Pikeman]

Actually my 2 Cents would be go get a Firestone Lifetime alignment first. Some of the locations will sell the lifetime after the lift but some will not. Once you have the lifetime alignment they have to continue to align it for you at any Firestone across the nation.