you don't HAVE to get an alignment, I didn't get one on my GTI when I had H&R super sports installed and saw no determent in handling or tire wear-though I would get one to be safe.

 

Like others have said, if the toe is off you will kill your tires in 10k miles or less because we have soft rubber on our cars. An alignment is $100, far less than a set of tires. Why take a chance?

I just installed a set of MR Bilsteins with WORKS springs on Saturday and I’m taking it for alignment on Monday.

 

^could be the first gsr with mr struts. any pictures? this was my plan with swift springs until plans got derailed.

 

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but this is relevant.

If one is looking to only do a drop, but on an aggressive offset (+17), is a fender roll along with the Eibach springs sufficient to house the wheels?

 

^i think you are going to need a lot of negative camber.

 

I should have gotten a proper alignment a lot sooner! Took it to Lake Tahoe (I'm from Southern California) and when I got back, I noticed that the inside edge of my driver side front tire was basically gone. Weird that it's just that one tire though.... So I took it for an alignment at the dealer, rotated the tires around and it still wore out the same wheel, although it was a lot lighter wear. From the work order, it says

"Front: Left ---- Toe Before = -0.17deg, Toe Actual = -0.03deg"
"Front: Right --- Toe Before = -.019deg, Toe Actual = -0.05deg"
"Front --- Total Toe Before = -.036deg, Total Toe Actual = -0.08deg"
"Rear: Left ---- Toe Before = 0.22deg, Toe Actual = 0.10deg"
"Rear: Right --- Toe Before = -.004deg, Toe Actual = -0.08deg"
"Rear --- Total Toe Before = 0.18deg, Total Toe Actual = 0.19deg"

Well, I have another alignment scheduled tomorrow morning to figure out what else to do. Also, the camber I have now reads at "-1.2deg". Should it be "0"?

 

Camber doesn't wear tires nearly as fast as toe.

 

Ask for a custom alignment and be willing to pay extra so that the tech can take more time with your car. Your fronts look consistent, but I would not be happy with the rears. Do a search for alignment specs. My personal preference is 0 toe and 1 deg negative camber all around. It’s highly unlikely the tech will get both sides exactly the same, so don’t fight it if it’s plus or minus 0.03 either way.

 

Toe is really easy to measure. Don't any of you DIY?

 

Since we are talking about alignments in this thread, I want to ask a question. Is it better to get an alignment at the dealership or where ever? The reason I ask this is because I heard that the dealership can collaborate the steering wheel or something?

 

After the alignment just check your steering wheel spokes to see if it's straight when your wheels are turned staight ahead. If not, let them fix it. As for shops, ask around for someone good or a good shop in your area. I have had good luck with a National Tire and Battery shop close to my house. Never had a Evo alligned at a dealership but had it done for a Toyota and it was a disaster. One set of tires later the NTB shop got it right.

 

Thanks for the answer

 

More pics please!