front outer cv boots changed=alignment necessity?

[omodos]

I cant for the life of me remember if i did an alignment after the cv boot replacements, this is the 3rd or 4th time front outer cv boot change the X has had in its 113k ...mechanic said take it for alignment...but is this needed..? for sure need front thrust bushings too and after that i am sure did alignments but not sure about when cv boots done

[wpoll]

Depends on what was undone/removed as part of the process of changing the cv boot. In theory, if any suspension arms were removed (and they would have been) then an alignment is recommended but I’ve changed cv boots and not done an alignment afterward, with no ill effects.

[omodos]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Depends on what was undone/removed as part of the process of changing the cv boot. In theory, if any suspension arms were removed (and they would have been) then an alignment is recommended but I’ve changed cv boots and not done an alignment afterward, with no ill effects.

cheers wpoll, i will drive it see if it veers left right as start and take it from there

[andrewwynn]

More importantly: wear.
When toe gets misaligned you’ll see edge wear pretty quick

On e fifty three if you have square size setup, you can use a string wrapped around the tire centered on the hub and check for alignment.

Put a popsicle stick between the tire and the front edge and have somebody steer slightly both ways past center. The string should be straight on both sides when steering wheel centered

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by omodos

cheers wpoll, i will drive it see if it veers left right as start and take it from there

As Andrew has stated, the issue here is tyre wear. If you can feel a wheel alignment is out when you drive, it's WAY out!! If it's way out, you may feel it understeer or oversteer slightly but that can also be due to vehicle loading, tyre pressures etc.

[andrewwynn]

I've done numerous bearing swaps etc where the suspension is taken apart and reassembled no alignment but when changing tension struts or lower control arms it's necessary.

I was able to get away with string alignment DIY though.


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[Henn28]

Ive found that replacing the lower control arms will definitely throw the alignment out, and even the steering wheel, but I’ve had good luck doing tension strut work and not having to do the alignment.

[Masospaghetti]

If I was reusing the control arms I would not get an alignment. the attach points are relatively precise and will go back in the same position.


If you have any concerns a lot of places will check alignment for free (although if you have no intention of actually doing it, you have to decide if this is ethical or not).

[andrewwynn]

That actually makes sense. When wife's were so worn the whole wheel moved almost an inch when braking, it still didn't wear tires or track funny.

[Fifty150hs]

I have replaced boots and axles multiple times with no alignment. As long as you're not replacing control arms or unbolting the struts everything goes back together where it belongs. Recently took my X in for an alignment when I put new tires on it. IIRC one side was out of toe by .1 degree. Everything else was fine and I had both control arms off both sides a number of times before that.