Alignment Question

[SHOMA]

Hello all. I have a problem right now. Tires are BALD, I need to put on the 17" M3 rims and tires I just bought. I need a LF lower balljoint, and the GTP arms for the back. I'm buying the balljoint and installing it tomorrow morning, but wont have the gtp arms until later in the week. My question is this: Can I get a front wheel alignment, and then just have the rear aligned when I get the GTP arms in? I dont want to drive on the 17s with a bad alignment, but also dont want to have to pay for 2 alignments! HELP! Any tips would be appreciated.
Kevin

 

[djsSHO]

Changing a lower ball joint doesn't really require an alignment as you are theoretically restoring a worn part back to factory specs.

DO NOT get a front alignment and then a rear alignment later. Cars are aligned fromt the rear to the front as rear toe will affect front toe for thrust angle.

I wouldn't worry about getting it aligned until you get the gtp arms installed. Just changing the ball joint isn't going to affect toe as you are not changing the way the tie rods are aligned to the knuckle, and that's your biggest wear item for tire wear.

Of course it's up to you.....

 

[SHOMA]

forgot to mention, I just had all the suspension put in, so it is out of whack a good bit. doesnt feel too bad, but it screeches around corners a bit. I just dont want to have to get 2 alignments, but I also dont want to be ruining my new 17s!
KEvin

 

[SHOMA]

Forgot to mention, I just had all the suspension put in, so it is out of whack a good bit. doesnt feel too bad, but it screeches around corners a bit. I just dont want to have to get 2 alignments, but I also dont want to be ruining my new 17s!
KEvin

 

[djsSHO]

As long as you didn't change toe angles when doing your suspension upgrade, your tires will not wear that bad for a week or so. I'm installing tokico's and intrax on mine and if it wasn't for the wheel being off, I wouldn't be changing my alignment.

Like I said,...it's up to you

 

[shojuan]

Just spend your alignment dollars on gauges and do it yourself! That's what I did and now I don't have these dilemmas for aligning my car.