Hello, I am trying to avoid doing 2 different alighnments if I can.
I have been changing out various front end parts on my car to improve the handling/stop the clunking noises. An alighnment was done last year after I replaced an outer tie rod and replaced the sway bar. Car traveled straight down the road afterwards. Recently I changed out both Lower Control Arms, motor mounts, transmission mount, and tonight I did the front struts (I will do the back struts and rear stabilizer links later this week).
Anyways, after doing the Lower Control Arms there was a slight pull to the left. After the front struts I test drove it real quick and the car traveled straight as an arrow. Will an alighnment always be required after replacing struts? Seems to travel pretty damn straight right now.
Also, I noticed some grease (see pic) under my CV Axle. I didnt think anything of it because my boots are totally sealed (I looked hard for rips or tears) and for some reason I thought "that grease must be from something else" My CV Axle only has a little play horizontally (maybe 1/8"). If I ended up changing the CV Axle at some point later, will I need an alighnment again? I did clean up the grease and I will reinspect after driving for a couple of days.
BTW, no other symptoms of a CV Axle failure that I notice. (unless one of the clunks I am chasing is caused by a failing CV Axle)
Thanks again. I will write up a review of the struts I got after I get them all in and drive on them for a thousand miles or so. They sure did raise the front end. So high that it will look stupid until I get the rears done also.
