I am going to change the front shock stuts on my 1995 Chevrolet Corsica. Does this task really require a front end alignment after putting them on? Can it wait a couple of weeks, because after next payday I am going to change the front CV Joints also, does that job require a front end ailignment?
Changing Shock struts?
Yes, after you change the struts/shocks on the front end of your Corsica, it needs aligned. It does not need aligned after the CV joints, but if you have to wait for a little cash any way, a couple of weeks won't be that bad on your tires. When was the last time you rotated the tires, if it is even close to half way through that time period, rotate them right after you get it aligned, or have them do it. But by the sounds of it, if you are willing to change the struts on your car, you can handle rotating the tires. It will drive worse for a bit after you change the struts, did you think about waiting until you have to money to get it aligned to change them? Well good luck to you.
Changing Shock struts?
yes it does,if you wait even a little while you will find the car drives terible and will wear tires fast.cv joints dont require an alignment
Hi there the jobs your going to carry out dont require wheel alignment doing but its always advisable to have it checked ive replaced thousands and not done the wheel alignment afterwards
swapping the struts will need an alignment - you can get them close by eyeballing it, but it will need done soon.
The cv shaft you can do without an alignment.
I would suggest that you wait and install the shocks when you do the CV joints.
For two reasons-
1) Reduced time, some of the parts that you have to take out to do the shocks will help you do the CV joints easier. If you are letting a shop do this try to get some time knocked off the flat rate chart because the front end is already apart.
2) Reduced cost, front ends need alignment more often the most of us have it done. So you most likely need an alignment right now anyway and one time is cheaper then two.
*Red alert! Save your money till you can do both jobs at once. First you need to pop the lower ball joint apart with a pitman arm press, avalable as a free reatal tool at Auto Zone. You will have to press inward the CV half shaft splined end from the front wheel bearings with a 3 finger 5 ton wheel puller to change the struts. This also is a free rental tool at auto Zone. You will be able to complete both jobs at once. Forget a CV joint only. Replace the entire half shaft and you'll have two new rebuilt joints, boots and an axle.
You absolutely will not have changed the alignment of your car by changing either or both of these items. You can rent with a credit card (free) the spring compresser tools (Auto Zone) for the front coils once the strut is out of the car.
Yes you will need an alignment after you replace your struts. I don't suggest driving it far because you tires will be out and this could cause your tires to wear VERY fast and also make it very difficult to steer. You will not necessarily need an alignment when you replace your cv joints. I would try to do the alignment after all the front end work is completed to insure a good proper alignment.
i suspect that you have never done this before:
country boy from big flats is correct but, I have never ever seen a spring that had more then 100k miles that could not use replacement too. In most cases the spring is just as much cause of the boing boing and always the bottoming out than the strut/shock. springs keep the car UP (therefore not bottoming out). and strut/shocks keeps/slows down the movement of the hole suspension
change them both. I have seen cars in NY that would not pass inspection because of shot shocks, struts. Changed the springs and the car passes and handled like new. If you change the springs it will change camber and toe
I have replaced hundreds of struts and axles in this particular car, you dont have to have an alignment but it is strongly suggested. And wow in my 40 years of doing auto work, this is funny, I have never had to use a pitman arm puller to disconnect a lower ball joint nor use a 5 ton press for the axles, that is hilarious, dude you have no idea as to what you are talking about, try the boyfriend girlfriend questions, not here where you are way out of your league little man with incorrect garbage for answers.
