CRS Performance said:
If adjusting the car up or down 10 to 15 mm changed the alignment it would mean every time you hit a bump the wheels would go out of alignment and of course this would cause increased tyre wear , it doesn't of course the suspension is designed so it can go through a full up down cycle and not change the tow angles . Only extreme lowering will cause changes in alignment . ( Or lifting ) .
CRS Performance said:
I dont disagree that it is a good thing to check alignment regularly as the roads can catch us out and the suspension and steering can get knocked out on really bad potholes . It wont just move unless a component fails .
What i was pointing out that an adjustment of a coil over kit by 10 to 15 wont affect alignment !
Eh?? You might need to explain that one for me.
Of course wheel alignment changes as the suspension moves through its range of travel!
Otherwise, why would the camber/toe change when lowering/raising?
And explain bump steer.
Naturally the alignment will return to its set measurements once the vehicle is running straight and level or at rest.
However the alignment is dynamic and changeable as the vehicle is travelling.
The suspension arms are single point (not multilink) with fixed pivots so can only follow a set arc.
And specifically the rear hub is fixed to the suspension arm, so that remains a constant.
(Effectively, so is the front)
Granted, the rear angles can be adjusted but it's simply a passive result of changing the pivot axis and only sets the camber/toe when the wheel is at rest/ride height.
The camber and toe angles will still change as the suspension moves through its range.
The pivot axis is not 90deg to the direction of travel, it's slightly offset meaning that as the suspension compresses, the wheel effectively folds in towards the centreline. It doesn't just travel up and down in a straight line. Otherwise, we wouldn't need adjustable bushes when the vehicle has been lowered.
Personally, I'd recommend at least an alignment check for 10-15mm of adjustment.
That's not exactly a large amount, and within the realms of normal operational travel, but it's still a change to the 'set-point'.
Hence why on vehicles fitted with air suspension, you're supposed to calibrate and lock the ride height prior to alignment. (Tight tolerances)
A 10-15mm discrepancy across axles or even end to end would fail calibration.
Your also supposed to ensure the vehicle is loaded for it's intended purpose such as a full tank of fuel, driver weight etc... but that's not always practical.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't profess to be an expert in this field by any stretch, but I did co-develop and teach the 4 wheel alignment course for Audi UK and later JLR so I know at least a little bit.