I'm about to replace my stock shocks w/ a set of Bilstiens. I asked a shop about the need of doing an alginment after the swap and they said it was not necessary?

your thoughts?

 

As seeing as your taking off the strut I would say yes, but I'm not 100%, with that after taking out your axel wouldnt you need to do a aligment? mini replaced my flywheel, and all that good jazz, they claimed they didnt need to do an aliment... also

your thoguhs?

 

I don't know how you wouldn't need to do one. I'm not a mechanic, but isn't everything going to move to get the old dampers out and the new ones in? Even if you're going to the exact same brand, won't the height be changed a bit if the old ones are worn?

 

On a MINI, the alignment is primarily a function of toe settings and ride height. If you change the shocks yourself, you'll see that there is essentially no way you could change any of the toe setting just by changing the struts/shocks. Even if toe or caster changed, they're non-adjustable anyhow(unless you have a newer mini with rear adjustable camber). All you can do is set toe.

Since the Bilsteins are high pressure gas charged and have a very large piston, you might see an increase in ride height, although it'd be small.

So in principal, I don't think an alignment is necessary just from changing shocks. But of course, it never hurts to do an alignment! Your car may be off from the factory, or maybe you will experience enough of a change in ride height to matter.

 

I hadn't given much thought and just assumed I needed an alignment. The mechanic that did my pulley and header saw that I had them in the back of the car and said he would gladly put them on but I questioned his lack of alignment equipment. He said an alignment would not be necessary - I thought it was strange and the reason for my post.

The suspension is perfect in the sense of tire wear. I just got rid of my run flats and have been monitoring the new tires closely.

On a side note - I have a set of Falken Avenis RT615 and they are awesome stickiest little buggers I have ever seen.

 

i would have someone measure the ride height at each corner with your
weight on it and then compare with the ride height at each corner after
you get the shocks swapped. if same height, i would leave it alone unless
you want to now dial-in your alignment to better match your driving inputs.