Are you planning to lower your car to make it have a better handle and look cooler? If so, lowering the car’s ride height will change its suspension shape and could possibly throw off some of the factory alignment specs. To avoid issues like this, it’s essential to have an alignment done after lowering your car.
Wondering why? Here’s why you should consider having an alignment done after lowering your car.
Why Should I Get an Alignment After Replacing a Car’s Springs?
When lowering your car’s ride height, the shape of the suspension components changes. The shift that occurs during the lowering affects the vehicle’s suspension, and the only way to address that is through alignment.
Also, aside from the suspension shape changing after lowering a car, the installation process can also change things. To replace the car’s springs, the entire shock body and camber/caster plates (in some cars) need to be removed. The camber and caster plates play a vital role in keeping a car’s suspension aligned:
- The camber plates control the inward and outward angles of the tires
- The caster plates equally control the forward and backward angles of the tires
Once these plates are removed and reinstalled, the car’s alignment will be off since it would be hard to reinstall them in their exact original position. Fortunately, a car alignment shop can bring the car back to spec with the lower ride height.
When Should the Alignment Be Done?
Car experts suggest not getting the car’s alignment done right after lowering the car. Allow the new springs to settle in first, which can slightly lower the car. This settling process usually takes about 10 to 20 miles of driving, so it could take a day or up to a week for the new springs to be broken in. Afterwards, the car’s suspension can properly align with the factory specs.
How about when you’re only slightly lowering the car?
It’s a common misconception that you don’t need to align a car’s suspension if you only lower it a little. However, the alignment will be out of shape once you remove and replace the suspension components. It doesn’t matter if you lower the car by a little or a lot; do the vehicle alignment so that the tires don’t quickly wear out.
How Much Is The Cost of Vehicle Alignment?
The cost to have an alignment done can vary depending on the shop you go to. In Nigeria, there’s no fixed price for a vehicle alignment. It could be cheaper or pricey, depending on your mechanic. However, it’s mostly pricey, which is why most car owners don’t go for vehicle alignment. But having a properly aligned suspension helps with safer driving and even tire wear, allowing you to enjoy your newly lowered car without any issues.
Conclusion
Ensure to take your vehicle for alignment after lowering the vehicle to look cooler. While it might be expensive, it helps improves driving quality and safer driving in vehicles.
