Do I need a wheel alignment after replacing shock absorbers?

[I CU2]

Hey guys,

I just put on some eibach lowering springs on my car last month and found someone close to me selling the matching bilstein B8 shocks. I need to remove the front strut to get the front dampers in - does that mean I need to do another alignment on my car when I change the shock absorbers? Cheers :)

[Solez_26]

Yes. General rule, if you mess with suspension you should get an alignment.

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[misiak]

If you got an alignment after installing the springs and now you are just replacing shocks I wouldn't bother.

[S4'ed]

No.
You only need an alignment if you alter the toe settings, shift the subframe, or change the ride-height with different springs.

[BT719]

No. There is a chart somewhere that I hope someone will post. Springs/shocks do not require alignment.

[sepheroth86]

No. There is a chart somewhere that I hope someone will post. Springs/shocks do not require alignment.


If the spring changes ride height, an alignment is needed (unless one has a broken spring and replacing to pre-broken height for example).

Shock replacement does not require an alignment. Strut cars DO require an alignment after replacement (B8S4 has shocks).

[misiak]

If the spring changes ride height, an alignment is needed (unless one has a broken spring and replacing to pre-broken height for example).

Shock replacement does not require an alignment. Strut cars DO require an alignment after replacement (B8S4 has shocks).

B8 S4 has struts in the front. Whether a car has struts or shocks does not dictate whether or not a car requires an alignment.

[sepheroth86]

B8 S4 has struts in the front. Whether a car has struts or shocks does not dictate whether or not a car requires an alignment.

*insert Donald Trump 'wrong' meme*

https://help.summitracing.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5260/~/what%E2%80%99s-the-difference-between-shocks%2C-struts%2C-and-coilovers%3F

Double wishbone cars (such as many Audi, including the B8 S4) do not have struts. They employ a Coil Over Shock design.

Struts locate suspension components and turn when the wheel is turned. (i/e: the brake knuckle will bolt to the bottom of a strut)

[misiak]

*insert Donald Trump 'wrong' meme*

https://help.summitracing.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5260/~/what%E2%80%99s-the-difference-between-shocks%2C-struts%2C-and-coilovers%3F

Double wishbone cars (such as many Audi, including the B8 S4) do not have struts. They employ a Coil Over Shock design.

Struts locate suspension components and turn when the wheel is turned. (i/e: the brake knuckle will bolt to the bottom of a strut)

A coil over shock design is a strut. The reason a strut is an integral part of the suspension is because it contains the spring. Once you remove a spring the cars suspension is no longer capable of supporting the weight.

B8 S4 has struts in the front and shocks and springs in the rear. The B8 front struts do not contain any kind of alignment adjustment.

[djn876]

If the new shock doesn't change the ride height than no, if it does, then yes, likely the change won't be huge so I wouldn't stress about getting done immediately, let it settle out a little and get it in when you can.

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[sepheroth86]

A coil over shock design is a strut. The reason a strut is an integral part of the suspension is because it contains the spring. Once you remove a spring the cars suspension is no longer capable of supporting the weight.

B8 S4 has struts in the front and shocks and springs in the rear. The B8 front struts do not contain any kind of alignment adjustment.

Please read the link that I provided.

https://cartreatments.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/machpherson-vs-double-wishbone.png

Our cars use a Double Wishbone Coil Over Shock design. We do NOT have struts.

[misiak]

Please read the link that I provided.

https://cartreatments.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/machpherson-vs-double-wishbone.png

Our cars use a Double Wishbone Coil Over Shock design. We do NOT have struts.

I hate to do this.....but I need to admit that you are correct. I did do some research on this subject.

But not all cars with struts require alignment. I have owned 2 seperate cars that had struts, but removing the strut has no affect on alignment.

[sepheroth86]

I hate to do this.....but I need to admit that you are correct. I did do some research on this subject.

But not all cars with struts require alignment. I have owned 2 seperate cars that had struts, but removing the strut has no affect on alignment.

I have never heard of such a strut equipped car, but I will take your word on that. I would posit that most shops would likely recommend an alignment after strut removal. However, one could likely reinstall close enough to only minimally affect the alignment.

Audi did a great job on our cars, double wishbone cars almost always handle significantly better than similar cars with a strut.

I would also like to thank you for admitting when you are incorrect. It takes an adult to admit mistakes. We are all still learning every day and can look to your response here as an example of how to handle such situations. 👍