Let Springs settle before getting alignment - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

adey · 07-03-2002, 03:38 AM

I was wondering whether one should get an alignment right after installing coilovers, or if one should let the springs "set" (settle?) to the height that they will sit at (~week or so after installing) before getting an alignment done.
Or does it make a difference?

Also, when rotating tires (wheels), is an alignment needed?

uuninja · 07-03-2002, 05:24 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (adey @ July 02 2002,05:38)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I was wondering whether one should get an alignment right after installing coilovers, or if one should let the springs "set" (settle?) to the height that they will sit at (~week or so after installing) before getting an alignment done.
Or does it make a difference?
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

It shouldn't be much difference either way. I think that any settling that occures will happen with in the first hour or so. But I have no proof.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Also, when rotating tires (wheels), is an alignment needed?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Not unless your alignment is causing the tires to wear unevenly, hence the reason for the trie rotation.

tnord · 07-03-2002, 07:34 AM

good springs (read; eibach & H&R) are pre-set and will not sag. and to those people that are gonna call "FOUL" and say that their car sagged after a while.........well, that's your shocks wearing out. speaking of springs, anybody want a set of pro-kits?

adey · 07-03-2002, 09:24 AM

...hmm, okay, so are HKS springs going to sag? (just curious)
and even then, will it make a difference?
... thanks for the feedback, all.  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

uiuc240 · 07-03-2002, 11:10 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (tnord @ July 03 2002,08:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">good springs (read; eibach & H&R) are pre-set and will not sag. and to those people that are gonna call "FOUL" and say that their car sagged after a while.........well, that's your shocks wearing out. speaking of springs, anybody want a set of pro-kits?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I call FOUL  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

Every car that I've swapped suspensions on (Cavalier with Eibachs/Tokicos, Prelude with Eibachs/Konis, Focus with H&R/Konis, and my 240 with Whitelines/Konis) have settled after about a week.  I JUST put my new suspension on.  And I swear to you, it is a smidge lower after a week of driving than it was after I put it on a drove it around the block 10 days ago.  Nothing big, but it's definitely more.

Eric

bbp · 07-03-2002, 01:52 PM

I would get an alignment just after the install.  The supension is going to settle on the drive to the alignment shop.  The springs shouldn't sag, especially with coilovers.

We just roll the car back and forth and bounce it up an down in between adjustments. (using a tape measure)

choku_dori_drift · 07-03-2002, 02:47 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (bbp @ July 03 2002,2:52)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I would get an alignment just after the install. The supension is going to settle on the drive to the alignment shop.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Unless the shop is next door <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

adey · 07-03-2002, 03:14 PM

I don't know if I'd call FOUL, but i just remembered H&R cup kits for VWs... they advertise 2" in front and 1.8" in the rear (drop) and it's there when you first insall them, but a lot of people reported it being closer to a 2.5" and 2" drop front and rear respectively. So I don't think it's necessarily true for all springs... maybe H&R race springs dont' sag (as much) or something though.

Anyway thanks for the responses!

rrx · 07-03-2002, 05:43 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (adey @ July 03 2002,10:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">...hmm, okay, so are HKS springs going to sag? (just curious)
and even then, will it make a difference?
... thanks for the feedback, all. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Woah... HKS Hiper coilovers? Excellent setup. You'll love them. I used to have one on an FD RX-7. To answer your question, they will not sag after you've driven a few minutes on them at least mine didn't. If you're really worried, go do some hard donuts in an empty parking lot.

Oh and not to nag... but when you installed them, you remembered to put the shocks in with the external oil valve facing INWARDS right!?!? If not, take them off and swap the sides otherwise you'll break the oil valve off and completely jack up your dampers within a few days. You may also spin out from sliding in the oil coming out of your broken valve.

Are the HKS coilovers for 240's also 30 way adjustable rear and 24 way adjustable front?

07-03-2002, 05:24 AM	#2
uuninja Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Reston, VA Age: 43 Posts: 812 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (adey @ July 02 2002,05:38)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I was wondering whether one should get an alignment right after installing coilovers, or if one should let the springs "set" (settle?) to the height that they will sit at (~week or so after installing) before getting an alignment done. Or does it make a difference? </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> It shouldn't be much difference either way. I think that any settling that occures will happen with in the first hour or so. But I have no proof. </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Also, when rotating tires (wheels), is an alignment needed?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> Not unless your alignment is causing the tires to wear unevenly, hence the reason for the trie rotation. __________________ Lurker Supreme! www.midatlantic240sx.com 91 Coupe 97 KA24DE+T SOLD

07-03-2002, 11:10 AM	#5
uiuc240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Age: 42 Posts: 2,093 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (tnord @ July 03 2002,08:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">good springs (read; eibach & H&R) are pre-set and will not sag. and to those people that are gonna call "FOUL" and say that their car sagged after a while.........well, that's your shocks wearing out. speaking of springs, anybody want a set of pro-kits?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> I call FOUL  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> Every car that I've swapped suspensions on (Cavalier with Eibachs/Tokicos, Prelude with Eibachs/Konis, Focus with H&R/Konis, and my 240 with Whitelines/Konis) have settled after about a week.  I JUST put my new suspension on.  And I swear to you, it is a smidge lower after a week of driving than it was after I put it on a drove it around the block 10 days ago.  Nothing big, but it's definitely more. Eric __________________ 2002 Mazda Protege5 1989 S13 w/SR20DET (sold)

07-03-2002, 01:52 PM	#6
bbp Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: oHIo Age: 49 Posts: 477 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I would get an alignment just after the install.  The supension is going to settle on the drive to the alignment shop.  The springs shouldn't sag, especially with coilovers. We just roll the car back and forth and bounce it up an down in between adjustments. (using a tape measure) __________________

07-03-2002, 02:47 PM	#7
choku_dori_drift Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 16 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (bbp @ July 03 2002,2:52)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I would get an alignment just after the install. The supension is going to settle on the drive to the alignment shop.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> Unless the shop is next door <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

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07-03-2002, 03:38 AM	#1
adey Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 3,061 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I was wondering whether one should get an alignment right after installing coilovers, or if one should let the springs "set" (settle?) to the height that they will sit at (~week or so after installing) before getting an alignment done. Or does it make a difference? Also, when rotating tires (wheels), is an alignment needed?

07-03-2002, 07:34 AM	#3
tnord Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,975 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	good springs (read; eibach & H&R) are pre-set and will not sag. and to those people that are gonna call "FOUL" and say that their car sagged after a while.........well, that's your shocks wearing out. speaking of springs, anybody want a set of pro-kits?

07-03-2002, 09:24 AM	#4
adey Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 3,061 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	...hmm, okay, so are HKS springs going to sag? (just curious) and even then, will it make a difference? ... thanks for the feedback, all.  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

07-03-2002, 03:14 PM	#8
adey Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 3,061 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I don't know if I'd call FOUL, but i just remembered H&R cup kits for VWs... they advertise 2" in front and 1.8" in the rear (drop) and it's there when you first insall them, but a lot of people reported it being closer to a 2.5" and 2" drop front and rear respectively. So I don't think it's necessarily true for all springs... maybe H&R race springs dont' sag (as much) or something though. Anyway thanks for the responses!

07-03-2002, 05:43 PM	#9
rrx Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 35 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (adey @ July 03 2002,10:24)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">...hmm, okay, so are HKS springs going to sag? (just curious) and even then, will it make a difference? ... thanks for the feedback, all. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> Woah... HKS Hiper coilovers? Excellent setup. You'll love them. I used to have one on an FD RX-7. To answer your question, they will not sag after you've driven a few minutes on them at least mine didn't. If you're really worried, go do some hard donuts in an empty parking lot. Oh and not to nag... but when you installed them, you remembered to put the shocks in with the external oil valve facing INWARDS right!?!? If not, take them off and swap the sides otherwise you'll break the oil valve off and completely jack up your dampers within a few days. You may also spin out from sliding in the oil coming out of your broken valve. Are the HKS coilovers for 240's also 30 way adjustable rear and 24 way adjustable front?