Installing S.Techs on Stock Shocks question

[CalPencil]

My tire tread is about half way, and I already bought the springs. I want to install them, but I was curious if its absolutely necessary to get the wheel alignment. It's a $50-$80 job, and I think it would be a waste of money if I need new tires later, right?

I'm wondering if I should wait till my tires wear down, to change the springs. In the same idea, will stock shocks hold up to those lowering springs, or should I save money for new shocks, so they both can be replaced at the same time.

Any guidance would be helpful. I want to be able to do it the cheapest possible way, and get the benefits of lowering as soon as possible. Thanks.

[fatboys2zz]

i think it depend on the drop, your stock shocks should hold as long as it`s not a extreme drop. what type of springs are they.as for aligment, sure it can only help with your tires usage

[aznkhaos]

if u dont wanna do the same thing twice change out ur shocks and springs at same time. u will need an alignment..i had almost full thread on my tires and the car has pretty bad camber after about a month-2 of driving(about 2000miles

[Transcend]

You should ALWAYS get an alignment after messing with your ride height. But be sure to give it 1-2 weeks to let the springs settle before getting the alignment done. From what I've seen Tein springs (crappy) tend to settle bit by bit at first...then they do a dramatic drop about a week after the install. Sometimes they will sag too much.

[shadytunerGTS]

Install your new S. Techs. Your stock struts will be fine for now. Whenever you get new tires have your car aligned. By that time your springs will have settled.

[slidr]

From what I've seen Tein springs (crappy) tend to settle bit by bit at first...then they do a dramatic drop about a week after the install. Sometimes they will sag too much.


I have never heard of that happening before. Settling at first, ok, but sagging too much? Doubt it.

[shadytunerGTS]

^:werd:

[CalPencil]

I've decided to get the alignment after waiting a couple of weeks. I figured that if I get the alignment, it might last the tires longer than I might predict for the wear to be completely bad.

Plus, most places...when you get new tires, they do the balancing and some will skip over the alignment process just to save time. I'll stay on top of them because they usually should throw it into the package for free with buying a set of tires.

While I'm messing with the suspension I should probably rotate the tires as well, now that I think about it...

[deltaB]

I've decided to get the alignment after waiting a couple of weeks...Post your "before" and "after" numbers when you get them. Especially the "before". It would be good to see how out of whack the alignment got by swapping the springs.

ΔB

[Celica402GTS]

i have tein h-tech on stock strut..fine here.

[italiaplaya]

i have tein S- techs, how long you think the stock shocks are goin to last?

[CalPencil]

not sure..., I've taken the advice of someone else and went ahead and bought some Tokico Blue Shocks for that upgraded suspension. Nothing was wrong with my suspension, in fact the previous owner before me replace the shock struts before selling them to me.

But I rather do the job once and not have to worry about it when I start my student teaching.

[neological]

Just buy AGXs. The Tokicos are no good.

Also, you don't really have to wait that long for a car to settle, usually I find in 1-3 days it isn't going to get much lower. But then again I usually am putting on really stiff springs, I hear soft ones need a bit more settle time.

[TUMASGTS]

Im on s.techs and i dont have any problems so far, but i must say im quite dissapointed with the drop, my car still looks like a truck.. im thinking of going with skunk 2 or D2 coilovers..