Well, I just had to start another thread about the autospring. I installed a
1 1/2" autospring on my 05 Scab STX around thanksgiving of last year with 8,000 miles on the truck. I went to a local dealership here and they told me that they installed leveling kits (daystar) and that it was not neccesary to have an alignment. I posted that on here and evreybody told me to get it aligned. Well, the truck drove fine and I figured a dealership would know what they were talking about. WRONG! At 12,000 miles my right front tire is damn near ruined. So, I rotated the tires and went to the local alignment shop and he said the toe was way off. He also said the camber/caster was within specs. Well, he did talk me into putting an IMCO SI/DO performance muffler with chrome tips. DAMN, it looks good and sounds great



Mods:
1 1/2" autospring
Power windows
Power locks
Keyless entry
IMCO SI/DO elite performance muffler
2 10" diamond audio subs w/ custom dragon box
Scoche 550 watt amp (cheap wally world brand, but damn it performs better than I thought) Hope to upgrade amp to an autotek soon!

 

I won't be a smart ****, but ANY TIME you do a suspension modification, you should get an alignment.

For future reference ALWAYS get an alignment if you adjust your ride height up or down.

Your truck looks really good though!

 

I won't be a smart ****, but when you put drop shackles on you don't need an alignment. But this isn't about that, so nevermind.

 

I believe a better theory would be if you alter the truck height in the front, then get an alignment. If you alter the ride height of the back, then I don't think it is affected.

 

That's what I meant fellas. Obviously rear mods do not change the front suspension geometry!

Touche.....got me.

 

Its ok. I just had to do it.

 

Interesting knowledge

 

What size tires are you running?

 

Wow.. A surprise - the stealership was wrong. :o

 

Damn near every time I rotate tires I get an alignment! Lifetime alignments at Firestone are $129, I'm there every 5000 miles!

 

Curious, how much adjusting do you find on each alignment? Are you at stock height, if not do they give you a hassle about it being lifted/lowered? I can see some people saying that's a bit **** to do every 5000, but $129 and not needing tires for a good long time seems worth it to me. Even if it's within specs every alignment it seems worth the extra $ for some piece of mind.

Joe_STX, did you happen to go back to that dealer and show them your tire after the advice they gave you? I doubt they'd do anything, they'll deflect the blame on your driving habits, but it'd be interesting to hear what they have to say.

I'm just hoping that adding the autospring doesn't end up like the nightmare of my car. Lowered it and it's been a tire eating alignment mess of DOOM ever since.

 

The 3 times I've taken it in, only once was a slight adjustment made after I hit a curb while sliding around a corner in the snow. I have 17,000 miles on it since my leveling kit and had it in 3 times. This summer when I do some 4 wheeling in the Mtns I may take it in more if I feel that I need it.

 

No, i didn't bother going back to the dealership to tell them anything. I don't have alot of confidence in them now. I was wondering if anyone who put on the autospring and has put a good bit of miles on their vehicle since the install has had any tire issues.

 

I recall a thread from a week ago or so where someone has gone 10 or 12,000 miles without an alignment. Mine's been on a week and finally getting it aligned tomorrow, been trying not to drive it unless necessary. Timing it just right, my car has a fubar tranny drain plug so until that's fixed it's all truck for a few days.