[pjr710]

Hey guys, I just changed my struts & rear shocks. I have a 07 335i coupe.

One of my front struts & one rear shock was totally dead.

This is the first day I have the car on the road and I know it's sitting higher, maybe like an inch. I heard it's supposed to "settle" within a week .. is that true?

Also I'm wondering if I should get an alignment, I've heard you don't, but I figure if my car sits higher .. my camber might change right?

[Jamie330d]

The new shocks will bed in once the springs settle down. When any aspect of the suspension is changed, technically you should have an alignment done, especially with changing shocks. I personally would have the alignment done as if its out your get premature tyre wear etc.

[pjr710]

Originally Posted by Jamie330d

The new shocks will bed in once the springs settle down. When any aspect of the suspension is changed, technically you should have an alignment done, especially with changing shocks. I personally would have the alignment done as if its out your get premature tyre wear etc.

so do i have to wait for it to settle to get an alignment .. or can i get one now?

[Amitt]

Originally Posted by pjr710

so do i have to wait for it to settle to get an alignment .. or can i get one now?

Wait for the suspension to settle, get an alignment after 4-5 days.

[autoart]

When i changed the front top strut bearing, my old one was smashed and about 1/4. after the new one was installed it raised the front also. The rear would be the same I would imagine.
Remember the springs hold the car up not the shocks or struts.

[redline2001]

OP this is normal. If you changed out all the old suspension hardware your car will always sit higher than it did right before the swap out. The new height is how the car came from the factory. Ignore the comments about struts and shocks not effecting ride height. When they are shot they do.

[pjr710]

Originally Posted by redline2001

OP this is normal. If you changed out all the old suspension hardware your car will always sit higher than it did right before the swap out. The new height is how the car came from the factory. Ignore the comments about struts and shocks not effecting ride height. When they are shot they do.

this is 100% correct ... i realized before replacement my car was technically "sagging" ... i compared some pictures i took when i first got the car with 20k on it, and just factory OEM photos, and the ride height is exactly now what it was then.

If I knew that I would have maybe considered lower springs! Because the "Sagging" height IMO was perfect!

O well

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Amitt

Wait for the suspension to settle, get an alignment after 4-5 days.

How long does it usually take to settle. A week?

[pjr710]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

How long does it usually take to settle. A week?

i was trying to research this and didn't get any straight answers. I drive 100mi/day .. i heard people say 100mi.

Honestly from the time i changed it to now I don't see any difference.

So realistically for peace of mind, I'd say wait 1-2 days .. and maybe 100miles.

i heard from others that said even when it "settled" it was like half inch maybe?

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by pjr710

i was trying to research this and didn't get any straight answers. I drive 100mi/day .. i heard people say 100mi.

Honestly from the time i changed it to now I don't see any difference.

So realistically for peace of mind, I'd say wait 1-2 days .. and maybe 100miles.

i heard from others that said even when it "settled" it was like half inch maybe?

Hmm ok. I was more worried to know when to do the alignement. I only drive maybe ~ 20km a week when not going anywhere.

[ducatiti]

From what I read, 300 miles would be just right before the alignment. I just replaced my struts/shock and have booked an appointment two weeks exactly.

[pjr710]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Hmm ok. I was more worried to know when to do the alignement. I only drive maybe ~ 20km a week when not going anywhere.

I didn’t get an alignment in like 3 years. I had this done and they said they changed the toe slightly. Which could have been a factor of potholes and not even the suspension.

[Volasko]

Did you change the front strut mounts? They are known to settle ALOT as they age, see difference here. If you did this could be main cause of the height increase. Combined with the fact the springs also need to settle could be why you see such a difference. The strut mount would take a while to settle so I'd wait a week for the springs to come down a little then get the alignment.

[pjr710]

Originally Posted by Volasko

Did you change the front strut mounts? They are known to settle ALOT as they age, see difference here. If you did this could be main cause of the height increase. Combined with the fact the springs also need to settle could be why you see such a difference. The strut mount would take a while to settle so I'd wait a week for the springs to come down a little then get the alignment.

I did change the strut mounts

[ducatiti]

Originally Posted by pjr710

this is 100% correct ... i realized before replacement my car was technically "sagging" ... i compared some pictures i took when i first got the car with 20k on it, and just factory OEM photos, and the ride height is exactly now what it was then.

If I knew that I would have maybe considered lower springs! Because the "Sagging" height IMO was perfect!

O well

Lol @ "sagging height* as I also was happy with my non sport suspension height before I installed a Bilstein kit.

Here is a *sagging* picture:



Post sagging picture with lowering springs (Eibach Pro with B8's):

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by pjr710

I didn’t get an alignment in like 3 years. I had this done and they said they changed the toe slightly. Which could have been a factor of potholes and not even the suspension.

Interesting... how bad was you tire wear?

I'm in a a position where I would like to have a higher ride height for winter since I'll get coil overs but would like to not have to do alignment 2 times a year.

[pjr710]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Interesting... how bad was you tire wear?

I'm in a a position where I would like to have a higher ride height for winter since I'll get coil overs but would like to not have to do alignment 2 times a year.

All my tires wore perfectly for 10s if thousands of miles

[Amitt]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

How long does it usually take to settle. A week?

Depends on how much you drive. I put about 5-600 miles on the car before I felt like the suspension was broken in and got the alignment.

[Amitt]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Interesting... how bad was you tire wear?

I'm in a a position where I would like to have a higher ride height for winter since I'll get coil overs but would like to not have to do alignment 2 times a year.

You don't have to re-align as long as you don't raise/lower it too much.