[Prissy]

So I am planning to install KW V1, should I wait a week to do the alignment after the installation? I heard that it's not a must... Thanks.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by 330xtrai

Wait at least 500 miles they definitely settle in at least a quarter if an inch might as well get you alignment right the first time

I will do that! Thanks..

[EDM92]

Originally Posted by Prissy

I will do that! Thanks..

Don't wait 500 miles, that's horrible advice. Your tires could be completely ruined after 500 miles of driving with a completely messed up alignment. Installing new coilovers or springs completely throws off your alignment specs. Wait a week, no more. Personally, I wait a few days if that. Coilovers don't really settle, and if they do it's not enough to change your alignment specs.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by EDM92

Don't wait 500 miles, that's horrible advice. Your tires could be completely ruined after 500 miles of driving with a completely messed up alignment. Installing new coilovers or springs completely throws off your alignment specs. Wait a week, no more. Personally, I wait a few days if that. Coilovers don't really settle, and if they do it's not enough to change your alignment specs.

yup! Thanks!!

[#Tee]

Originally Posted by EDM92

Don't wait 500 miles, that's horrible advice. Your tires could be completely ruined after 500 miles of driving with a completely messed up alignment. Installing new coilovers or springs completely throws off your alignment specs. Wait a week, no more. Personally, I wait a few days if that. Coilovers don't really settle, and if they do it's not enough to change your alignment specs.

i cosign, i would go drive it around the block for a few miles cause that shit barely settles and settles fast.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by #Tee

i cosign, i would go drive it around the block for a few miles cause that shit barely settles and settles fast.

Cool!

One more question... Is camber adjustment included in an alignment? I am not running a very aggressive wheel set up, do I need to do camber adjustments?

[#Tee]

yes it is, toe would be the most crucial adjustment. the front camber should still be within specs while the rear can still be correctable with factory adjustments.

[MonacoBlueE90]

Originally Posted by #Tee

yes it is, toe would be the most crucial adjustment. the front camber should still be within specs while the rear can still be correctable with factory adjustments.

So what values i should have for toe etc, since my camber wont be within specs or do i just ask them to put the other values to those what the computer says? I probably get my coilovers installed this week.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by #Tee

yes it is, toe would be the most crucial adjustment. the front camber should still be within specs while the rear can still be correctable with factory adjustments.

Thanks Tee!

[#Tee]

Originally Posted by MonacoBlueE90

So what values i should have for toe etc, since my camber wont be within specs or do i just ask them to put the other values to those what the computer says? I probably get my coilovers installed this week.

i forget the toe/camber/caster specs off the top of my head. as for the fronts camber will barely change after ride height is altered but toe will be very noticeably off on the rack. the rear camber will change alot pending on how low you adjust it.

so my best advice would be to leave all your interior unbutton (if you have dampening adjustments) play with the height along with new tires stretched or not and find that threshold of your desire ...aesthetics/no rubbing/performance. Get all of it dialed in and have the shop adjust your toe all around. As for camber its a sensitive issue regarding fender rubbing, contact patch for traction. If you like your camber where its at then tell them to leave it alone and adjust toe only, the computer will have factory specs built in. Just remember toe being out of specs does most of the tire killing.

i know you been doing your alot of your homework and helping others regardings tire specs and fender tolerance. all of that should pay off once you get yours on bud.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by EDM92

Don't wait 500 miles, that's horrible advice. Your tires could be completely ruined after 500 miles of driving with a completely messed up alignment. Installing new coilovers or springs completely throws off your alignment specs. Wait a week, no more. Personally, I wait a few days if that. Coilovers don't really settle, and if they do it's not enough to change your alignment specs.

You must not have KW's. They settle almost an inch in the first 500 miles and settle a bit more after 2k. My installer advised me wait at least 500 miles before an alignment and set alignment as best he could during that time; no unusual wear to my tires during that time. Your advise is not so great as the car will need to be realigned with KW's if you put it on a machine shortly after install.

[EDM92]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

You must not have KW's. They settle almost an inch in the first 500 miles and settle a bit more after 2k. My installer advised me wait at least 500 miles before an alignment and set alignment as best he could during that time; no unusual wear to my tires during that time. Your advise is not so great as the car will need to be realigned with KW's if you put it on a machine shortly after install.

I find it hard to believe that any coilovers settle an inch. 500 miles is a lot if you have completely out of whack camber and toe. I remember when I first got my coilovers installed, my car was jerking all over the place in the rain, because the specs were off so much. Alignment cleared everything up. Also, my car didn't settle at all after the initial install.

[idrift4wd]

Originally Posted by EDM92

I find it hard to believe that any coilovers settle an inch. 500 miles is a lot if you have completely out of whack camber and toe. I remember when I first got my coilovers installed, my car was jerking all over the place in the rain, because the specs were off so much. Alignment cleared everything up. Also, my car didn't settle at all after the initial install.

+1

i waited too long and destroyed my tires(kinda)! DO NOT WAIT TO LONG.

week at most. a few days at least. go to a good place for alignment.

[deadmn1337]

When i installed some ST coils it only took 2 days for them settle completely

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by EDM92

I find it hard to believe that any coilovers settle an inch. 500 miles is a lot if you have completely out of whack camber and toe. I remember when I first got my coilovers installed, my car was jerking all over the place in the rain, because the specs were off so much. Alignment cleared everything up. Also, my car didn't settle at all after the initial install.

I should have clarified 1 inch from the ground to the fender lip since install 2000 miles ago.
My tech was able to set alignment close enough so that the car tracked straight and didn't cause unusual tire wear during those 500 mi.

[Dr. G]

Originally Posted by MonacoBlueE90

So what values i should have for toe etc, since my camber wont be within specs or do i just ask them to put the other values to those what the computer says? I probably get my coilovers installed this week.

I leave the front camber as is since I want to keep my alignment pins in. For the toe I usually go 0 toe up front, the car feels a bit more responsive, but at the same time the steering wheel requires a bit more attention and correction in a straight line.

Rear I set the Toe at min spec and camber whatever is required for fitment.

With minimal toe all around your tires will last longer. I wouldn't run 0 toe in the rear, but I actually like it up front even though it's out of spec.

[ashmostro]

One can always crank up the preload adjusters if the settling is severe. Just measure current ride height and match it later if there's settling.

Get the alignment done now...

[VMRWheels]

Honestly OP, from my experience, coilovers don't really settle like everyone thinks. I'd try and get an alignment in as short of a time as possible.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

Honestly OP, from my experience, coilovers don't really settle like everyone thinks. I'd try and get an alignment in as short of a time as possible.

This is what exactly what my indie shop had told me...

[Moz_e90]

Doing preliminary budget research on ST's, +Install, +Alignment.

Indy shop in SF also adviced to align at the same time, sharing the opinion that there's no significan settling.

Please post reviews on KV1's.

[VMRWheels]

Originally Posted by Prissy

This is what exactly what my indie shop had told me...

Originally Posted by Moz_e90

Doing preliminary budget research on ST's, +Install, +Alignment.

Indy shop in SF also adviced to align at the same time, sharing the opinion that there's no significan settling.

Please post reviews on KV1's.

I think the height may change if you have the ebrake up or something along those lines, but if you take your car around the block and recheck your measurements you should have an idea of where the height stands.

[ajsalida]

I agree with others, quick drive around the block to make sure nothing is binding or otherwise messed up, then align it. You do not want to risk something being out of spec and driving it that way for 500 miles, destroying your ties or making for dangerous handling (like 2 deg toe out in back or something horrible).

To put your mind at ease, after aligning it, take it to a flat area you can revisit, and measure ride height at all four corners. Then do it again 500 miles later. If it is different by a lot then align it again. Cheaper than ruining a set of tires.