Alignment and STB's

[MilTownSHO]

So I just got the suspension done on the 92 yesterday and I'm taking it in for an alignment on Tuesday. Do I have them do the alignment with my Front Strut Tower Bar on or off? I am going to pick up a Rear Strut Tower Brace hopefully today also so should that be on or off as well?

If the alignment is done with them off then I reinstall them, will this throw off the alignment?

Thanks in advance, Jason

 

[NWGRN94MTX]

I have mine done with them on. The strut tower braces should make no difference when the car is stopped, and should not affect setting the alignment. they work just like SFC's but on a side to side axis instead of front to rear axes to minimize body flex.

The alignment dude should loosen them enough to set the alignment, then when set, tighten them up to spec.

 

[Shoaz]

The front STBs will be in the way a bit when the technician does the alignment, but I think it's just up to the tech whether it bothers him to work with them on or not. They make the job a little harder, but if the tech doesn't mind or the shop doesn't charge you any more, then it doesn't matter. They won't affect the ability to align the car and they shouldn't affect the quality of the alignment.

If the STB is put on and taken off with the car on the ground, i.e., the front end is not jacked up, the struts shouldn't move when you loosen the nuts. Essentially all of the front axle weight is loaded on those plates, so they're not inclined to move even when you take the nuts off to change the STB.