Argh! I'm getting conflicting messages regarding this:

I'm getting custom Zeals coilovers with X-Coils installed. People have told me I need to install, drive, let the springs "settle" and then get an alignment.

Others have told me, if the coilovers are good quailty and installed correctly to begin with, you can just install and align right away without having to drive around.

Can someone put a definitive end to this argument?

thanks!

 

Springs do settle a little but they shouldnt drop much. Id say a day a driving then get the alignment done you'll be set

 

^^^ agrees just like when you first got your car you had to break in the motor. kinda the same thing. just doesn't take as long. IMHO i would drive around for about a week then get the alignment. but as gsrboi80 said they do settle some but not by much.

 

But if you think about it, at the track, they don't have a day to drive around to settle the springs after a suspension change, they just change and realign on the spot.

 

tho at the tracks they tend to use parts that are not made for public use (most of the time) and have the money to just toss them after every track day. you could also check you manual and see if there is a break in period on them.

 

i would definitely go for a short drive to allow the suspension to settle.

or you can test this for us. have them installed and aligned at the same time. get a printout of the alignment settings.

then go for a drive, come back, put the alignment heads back on, calibrate, and see if the settings are the same as before.

then you can let us know

 

i researched...and I guess this question really pretains to the coilovers you purchased.

With the fuction series of Zeals, it's recommended to drive for 30-60 miles and making preload adjustments AFTER this drive.

 

A properly wound spring should not settle. If you are being told that your springs will settle (especially an amount that would require a re-alignment), then you've bought the wrong springs.

 

Just the drive to the alignment shop should settle everything. If you want to be sure, 25-50 miles should do it.