New Front Struts installed, Alignment Required?

[sqlpython]

Well the I replaced the two front struts and Tower Bearings over the Weekend.
Used KYB Gr2 gas to match the Rears which I did 60 days ago.

 The BMW Repair manual recommends a Front end Alignment as the Camber may have changed with the install. I am sure that would be prudent but........
  A. The tires have worn evenly
  B. All front bushing, Control Arm, Ball Joints etc are tight
  c. Local garages want to do 2 front wheels for $90..
.........BMW dealer wants to do a 4 wheel align for $170..

  Opinions and Experiences Solicited...
     IS this Necessary?
     IS it 2 wheel or 4 wheel align ?
     ...If a garage is offering 2 wheel align, Do they know what they're Doing?

  Car seems stable, centered and handles and steeres superb       w/o pulling.. Steering wheel centered etc...

 What to do..?  What to do?

[DesktopDave]

Likely the camber didn't change much, but FWIW that front-end alignment costs less than one decent tire.

Keep an eye on the tires, measure depth in the center, left and right weekly or so & go from there.  The 50-50 weight balance of a BMW make for long-wearing tires.

You covered the bases though...no need to do it if the car is gives fairly even tire wear; pulls, wanders, or if the wheel doesn't come back to center.

[bmwman91]

The only thing that can be adjusted (without swapping parts) on the E30 is the front toe. That SHOULDN'T need re-alignment if all you swapped were struts, but if the old ones were totally blown then you might since changes in ride height affect toe (similar to how bump-steer works).

Camber can only be adjusted by installing adjustable camber plates, or swapping to camber-corrective OEM strut mounts.

[sqlpython]

Dave

.........but FWIW that front-end alignment costs less than one decent tire.

Keep an eye on the tires, measure depth in the center, left and right weekly or so & go from there. The 50-50 weight balance of a BMW make for long-wearing tires.

 Yes, you are correct regarding One tire's cost..
I will keep an eye on the tire wear.. but I feel like a Amsoil Oil patron..
I admire the diligence of Amsol Users who send out their Monthly Oil samples to the Lab but I could never do it. So, will do my best to keep an eye on my tire wear lest be buying new tires..and these Eagle GTs look very good right now.


bmwman91

Camber can only be adjusted by installing adjustable camber plates, or swapping to camber-corrective OEM strut mounts.

 Yes I have read about the Kit to allow camber adjustment which brings me to my questions in the First post. So, I say Why/How would the car need a Front end Alignment. ..Just for the record it is an E36 not E30 but I am sure all applies the same here.

[-318is-]

ive learnt that if you touch the suspension components in any way, weather it be a lower arm to the strut, a wheel alinement should be factored in on the price of replacing worn or broken suspension parts, i dont recommend kwik fit but there 4 wheel laser alinement tool is actually not bad, and doesn't cost that much.