124 Alignment needed after rear work?
 

I just changed out my rear shocks and wheel carrier bushings. The car is riding nicely now, although I took it on a short highway run last night and felt like it was being affected by the crosswinds more than usual. I didn't think anything of it, but then today my girlfriend took it on a long highway drive and said it was boat-like. She had a crosswind, but it was only 20 mph at most, so it shouldn't have had much effect.

Should I look into getting an alignment after this work? Can you even align the back tires? (I'm still new to suspensions)

From what I have read, wandering is usually a result of the torque arms becoming old, correct? I did notice that the bushings on mine were all but gone, although they were still very tight upon hand inspection. Plus, the car seemed alright before I had done any of this work.

What do you all think? I was under the assumption that having new Bilsteins over the CarQuests and bushings that weren't disintegrated would bring it back to how it should be..I'll probably replace the torque arms and swaybar links anyway.

The new bushings probably brought the bottoms of the wheels in (less caster?), and similarly affected toe. I'd have it aligned.

How do they adjust the rear wheels? I didn't think that any of the links could be adjusted..or is there more to it? :o:o

Originally, there were two adjustments. If you've updated the thrust links/torque links (not sure which it is called), then only the toe is adjustable by off-center holes in the washers IIRC.

Ah.

Well, I haven't replaced the torque link yet, but new ones are on the way as we speak! I am still having a creak from the driver's side after replacing my wheel carrier bushings (although the worst of it is gone)
My guess is it is probably that link, since the bushing on it looks like a firecracker went off inside :mad:
Glad it sounds like it's one of the easy things to change!

Got another 124, I see?

if you replace anything that affects alignment then yes you have to get an alignment since aligning the back sets up the front and brings the imaginery centerline of car to center.

Cool. Thanks guys!

Now I need to find the "best deal in town"

Unfortunately, I am not a fan of my local dealership, but I hear the next closest one has decent alignment costs.

There's also a well regarded alignment shop in town that I'll probably call to see if they have the proper tools..I think they charge $75

You may want to consider the dealer or another dealer. They will have the spreader bar that is needed to align the front end.

The above statement will likely open and can of worms, but hey, that's what I do.

Easy? As far as suspension components go, yes. I believe that a 12-point box-end is useful, maybe I'm thinking of another part.

Another 124? Almost another 2. This one is likely to donate an M104 soon and become a diesel.

Hmm, well I do have a nice set of ratchets that have yet to be used.
I thought the wheel carrier bushings were pretty easy. Shocks, on the other hand..not awful, but tiring since I had to compress and hold them by hand to get them in and out (is that normal?)

I wonder if they even use that anymore?

What exactly is it / what does it do?
I was searching through some other threads and a lot of people mentioned that they were being phased out for lasers

I wasn't aware that the spreader bar was used on the 124s, but it seems like it is to pre-load the suspension bushings (toe-out loads) to simulate driving conditions.

You are right it is used to load the front end with 66-81 ft-lb of force. I still have a hard time believing a laser can load the front end or duplicate the driving conditions.

Now that there's funny!