lowering and alignment question

[Casper42]

if and when is alignment needed?

I installed CPP drop coils - 2" front, 3" rear with lowering shocks...no new spindles, C-notch, or panhard. A test drive reveals no issues, other than an occasional pop and creak when hitting a dip or at times making a turn - likely settling new hardware.

I've read that I should drive for a week or two before having the alignment inspected/adjusted, while one pro shop recommended I have it done right away. Another said it's not needed at all unless I note a issue, because the tie rods were not disconnected/reinstalled.

Your thoughts are appreciated. Happy New Year!

[Accelo]

You can do major damage to your tires in a week. Get it aligned as is.
Running out of travel on the upper A-arm where it bolts to the frame is possible.
Hopefully, you will not have this issue.
If you do, run out of travel, there are many solutions.
Running tubular A-arms
Relocation of the ball joint
Modifying the length of the A-arm by welding our purchasing modified one.
Likely another solution I haven't thought of also.

[weq92f]

.

Do it yourself. I helped(watched) a buddy align his 2002ish ram 1/2 ton using hand tools on the shop floor. A simple device is used to extend the plane of both front wheels horizontally such that tape measures can be used to accurately spec various geometry metrics. He didn't do caster/camber but managed the toe adjustment in less than 30 minutes. caster/camber can also be measured/set using a tool such as the one below. Simple toe adjustment can also be accomplished with good old string and anchors like in the link.

tool example
https://www.ebay.com/itm/28559258377...32523ab4b09873

Using string:
https://blog.1aauto.com/diy-wheel-al...e-by-yourself/

-Kevin

[72c20customcamper]

Do it as soon as possible . By lowering the truck with springs you changed the geometry of the front wheels . By not changing or disconnecting the tie rods you may not have changed the toe but the drop definitely affects the camber and caster

[Joyridin]

Have it done right away, but avoid the shop that said you didn't need to have it done. They have no clue what they are talking about.

You changed the caster, camber, and probably the toe even if you did not unhook the tie rods. It may not be enough to notice, but it more than likely changed and not for the good.

[HO455]

By all means as stated above get it aligned. Personally I would avoid the shop that said it didn't need to be done.

[SCOTI]

I fully agree w/72c20customcamper, Joyridin, & HO455.

Get it in for alignment sooner than later if you plan to continue using the current front tires.

And, as mentioned.... avoid the shop that said there's no need because the TRE's weren't disconnected. While there is some truth to that in certain situations, yours is not one of them.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Mine is stock height, I matched the lengths of the tie rods, never touched the shims, and it was way off :shrug:
They did stick me pretty good for a "classic vehicle" alignment, so one of the alignment tools would pay for itself quickly if you can get both toe-in and camber set at home

I was pretty good with trigonometry 45 years ago, but haven't used it much recently ;-)

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Rust_never_sleeps

Mine is stock height, I matched the lengths of the tie rods, never touched the shims, and it was way off :shrug:
They did stick me pretty good for a "classic vehicle" alignment, so one of the alignment tools would pay for itself quickly if you can get both toe-in and camber set at home

I was pretty good with trigonometry 45 years ago, but haven't used it much recently ;-)

The issue w/that is they can all impact each other. Get Toe & Camber adjusted @ home & then take it to the shop to get Caster set? They start adding or subtracting shims to dial in that Caster & now your 'preset' Toe & Camber will be different.

This is why it's good to have a set-up that allows adjusting things together if you plan to DIY. The numbers can be dialed in for each so that they all work together.

[Casper42]

thank you everyone for your input ✅