Why alignment after front spring spacer? (1 Viewer)

[nuclearbeef]

2021 HE.
I have the spacers and was going to do the install myself, then get an alignment.

Is the alignment necessary because of the spacer itself or because the LCA cam bolts were loosened?

In other words, if I loosen the LCA bolts will the alignment be seriously jacked up?
If so, I'll try to muscle it in without loosening the bolts.

But it looks to be SOOOOO much easier if they are loosened.

 

[lx200inAR]

This may be oversimplified, but pretty sure adding the spacer changes where in the stroke the suspension is at normal height. Since the "stroke" is on an arc, it changes the relationship of the tire to the ground. It's not because you had to loosen the LCA bolts.

 

[Big Timber]

Yes, you are changing the dimensions of the suspension, therefore, it must be realigned.

 

[luke27617]

Definitely you need an alignment. I have read out after spacers install and it was way off.

 

[TeCKis300]

Agreed with others.

To add, you'll see the following trends with even a mild spacer lift, that will warrant an alignment
- Increased toe-in, and will be out of spec
- May trend to positive camber, best to have no camber or a hint of negative camber, especially if you have added taller sidewall tires
- Reduced caster, may be just in the low end of spec

 

[Tex68w]

Doing mine tomorrow, I plan to get an alignment the following day. Uneven tread wear on your expensive tires isn't worth saving $130-ish on an alignment.

 

[KLF]

It's not possible to do the spacers without loosening the LCAs. You have to completely remove the strut from the truck to get the spacer installed on top.

And, yeah it's not worth the risk to the tires.

 

[nuclearbeef]

Thanks to everyone!

I had always planned to get an alignment after install, just kinda wondered how immediate the need would be.
If it's just a matter of tire wear, then a couple hundred miles shouldn't be cause for alarm much more than a couple hundred miles with it loaded super heavy in the back.

Still, I'll get an appointment for an alignment before adding the spacers.