I have to replace my front struts and a worn-out lower control arm rear bushing. So I would be removing the strut/spring and also remove and reinstall the lower control arm, oviously. Would I need to get a front end alignment?

Front end alignment isnt cheap in my local area.

thanks....

 

If you're just replacing the struts and LCA bushings, you shouldn't néed an alignment. However, if the car pulls left or right after you've installed everything, get an alignment - neither the caster nor the camber are adjustable stock - so you're only talking toe and that won't change with what you're changing.

Scott

 

The struts are inconsistently made where the hole is for the knuckles. Before you disassemble, scribe where the knuckle to strut meets so that you can tell if the new ones sit in the same place when you reassemble.

If you haven't gotten an alignment in over a year, I'd vote just get a new alignment. If the camber changes, there is a slight change to toe.

 

no matter what ppl say yes you do i do 300+ alignments a month and do those exact things ur gonna do to your car n yes it does change toe n camber even tho they arent slotted struts u can still get about a half of a degree of camber adjustment out of those struts

 

Thanks for the replies. They are very helpfull. I got another 6months on my tires so I'll get an alignment then.

Now, how do you guys remove the sway bar end link off the the strut? when I turn the nut, the stud just rotates with it. Any Ideas..

BTW its an SS sedan with the FE3.

 

I used a tiny set of vice grips to hold the bolt, then you should be able to undo the nut. They're not fun. A couple times they came right off with an impact, not always though.

 

I got it all put back together this morning and I took it for a drive and it's perfect! No more clunking noise.

That lower control arm is a pain in the a** to install. And that rear bushing is the dumbest design ever, the way it's situated is just asking for failure. Do you guys know if the OTTP heim bushings fit the FE3 control arm?

Thanks for everybody's help.

 

my personal opinion is that you should at least get an alignment check. Most places do it for free, or at least will do it for free when you buy an oil change or something like that.

 

You should go get an alignment. Even if it drives straight your toe may be off. That will cause quicker wear on your tires.