Hi, thanks for reading and helping me out. I searched but could not find out my answer. I would like to remove the a arms and clean and paint, as well as the spindle and spring. Can I take the two bolts out of the strut and not screw up my alignment? What do I have to leave alone to not mess the alignment up.

Thanks for your advice.....Chris

 

I don't think there is much adjustment factory at all so i think your fine. It really only needs adjusted if your lowered and then you need some upper strut brackets for adjusting.

 

I'd suggest an alignment. Oh, and the factory set-up does allow for adjustment, though not as much as the after market versions.

JamesC

 

Watch your tire wear and pulling to one side or the other. If both are ok you've saved some money.

 

there is quite a bit of slop on the spindle to strut bolts, so if you remove the spindle from the strut, you should consider an alignment afterwards.

if you can remove the spindle and strut as an assembly, you may be ok.

 

i just did struts on mine a few weeks ago on my 89 and the slop did mess up the camber. but my 90 did not have any slop at all. and it stayed right.

 

Leave the strut attached to the spindle and just remove the balljoint castle nut and you can remove the a-arms then to paint them. Good time to press in new balljoints and a-arm bushings as well. I like the delrin bushings that are greaseable.

 

If you have slop in the spindle to strut bolt holes....you have bigger problems. I have absolutely no slop in my lower to strut mount bolts. As a matter of fact, I need to hammer them out after removing the nuts. I have no adjustment on my lower A-arm pivot points either.

The ONLY adjustments I'm aware of is the caster/camber plates on top of the strut towers, along with your tie rod lengths. If someone has something different, then I have a weird front suspension on mine.

Most decent alignment shops will refuse to align any cars with bad ball joints, worn out bushings, etc. That being said, If you replace your ball joints, bushings etc., I'd have it checked anyway...just to ensure you won't wear your tires out if nothing else..just IMO...

 

Thanks for all you thoughts and suggestions. You guys have been a great help!