Hey guys!

I recently purchased Eibach springs for my 2011 G37 sedan and will also be picking up SPC rear/front camber kits.

My question is how long should I wait after the install of all the items before the alignment? Reason Im asking is because I heard that it takes some time for the springs to "settle," which changes the specs a bit. Anybody have any suggestions?

Should I just have everything installed and do the alignment immediately or wait for the springs to settle?


Thanks in advance!

 

Install springs first. I'd suggest a week to 10 days of regular driving for them to settle. Then install the alignment parts and do the alignment.

 

I'm not sure I am a firm believer in the lengthy "spring settling" theories out there. Think about adjustable coils. They are adjusted to ride height, loaded, and aligned. If there was a major concern over signifcant settling, each corner would need to be readjusted (potentially) to correct for settling and then realigned. My belief (and experience) has been to install suspension bits that require an alignment, get the alignment close and drive it to get it done. Not that replacing springs should affect caster, but if it did, more than a handful of miles on a system like that will just scrub rubber and nobody wants that!

So with all that being said, my preference would be to install your parts and go get it aligned.

 

My B&G lowering springs (on OEM dampers) took about 4 days to fully settle (dropped at least a 1/2" more from initial install height). My coilovers were settled immediately, didn't move more than 2mm since the install.

 

Interesting. I have not used B&G springs before, but of the several sets I have (Swift and RCE,) neither has settled to a degree that it was noticeable or that it effected the alignment.

Then my thought here would be to consult the spring manufacturer as to their recommendation.

 

Eibach states that their springs settle:
TECH TIPS | EIBACH AMERICA

They mention 10 miles or so.

What actually settles is typically the spring into the rubber spring isolators, not the spring itself. But that doesn't matter because if it lowers the ride height, even 1/4", alignment should be done only when it's finished settling. Many coilovers don't settle because they eliminate the rubber isolators form the equation. Some coilovers will keep them in some application and thus are prone to settling as well.

 

I just installed my Eibach springs this past weekend and came here to find the answer to this very question. I was surprised when driving the car home that it doesn't feel like it needs an alignment at all. But based on what you guys are saying I'll let it settle in for a few more days then get it aligned just to be sure. If nothing else, I'd rather potentially throw away alignment money than the price of the new tires I ordered but haven't installed yet.

 

You won't be throwing that money away, your car will need some alignment adjustment after dropping for sure. If you like the way it's driving now you'll really like it after getting it properly re-aligned. And you may be able to just get by w/ the rear camber/toe bolt sets (which are about $50 compared to the arm&bolt for the rear.)
Here's a post you might find helpful
https://www.myg37.com/forums/brakes-...ml#post3900747

 

Well, after you install the camber kit and you been driving on your springs for 2 weeks, you can get the alignment done to your G.

 

I'm getting my springs and camber kit installed this weekend. Do I have to get an alignment after install and after the springs settle??

 

No, hopefully when they (or you if it's DIY) install the camber/toe kit they keep the aftermarket arms similar in length/setup as the OEM ones. Just close is good enough but just be careful when driving for the next 5-7 days until you get it aligned. Don't do any extended driving and driving at high speeds as it can be unpredictable and unstable. Basically just enough driving to get them to settle, nothing crazy for sure.

 

Some places offer unlimited alignments within a time frame. I had mine done at Tire Kingdom (now NTB) and they will realign it within six months. They even have a plan for one year, which I unfortunately paid for on my old Volvo S60R that was totaled before that period ended.

 

What if you're just replacing the struts? Is there still a wait time before you do your alignment?

NOTE: car is already lowered

 

Alignment shouldn't be necessary unless one was blown and the car was really low and got aligned while it was like that. Maybe check the specs first. But struts don't need time to settle.

 

Good to know that struts don't need time to settle. I'll probably need an alignment after I change out my struts though because the last time I did, I thought I had properly marked everything but the car felt completely unstable until it was aligned (BTW, this question is for my 3000GT).

Thanks BB!