zberch

will changing my struts mean i need to get new alignment?

BajaRunner

Yep...

MTL_4runner

No, you don't need an alignment when changing shocks.
I think SC4runner just misread the question.

zberch

Sure about this? Sounds right to me but dont you have to disconnect the sway bar and stuff that doesnt do anything to alignment?

eric-the-red

The sway bar doesn't affect alignment, and as long as the new struts are the same length as the old ones there should be no change. If you are changing to OMEs or Tundra coils then yes the alignment will need done.

BajaRunner

I always think struts = coils+shock.

If your just changing the shocks, then no, if the coils are being changed, yes.

MTL_4runner

Yes, as a former pro mechanic I am positive.

zberch

Thanks!
Im running the OEM toyota struts up front with OME coils.
Are OME struts and/or bilsteins the same length?

MTL_4runner

Ok, hold the phone, I said no alignment needed if you change the shocks. If you are changing springs, you absolutely need an alignment because it will likely change the ride height and effect the alignment settings. If you are indeed changing both shocks and springs then SC4runner was completely correct in his original answer and it was I that misread the question. The term "strut" is often misused so it may mean just the shock or shock + spring system together.

zberch

3rd gen runners have struts in the front and shock in the back. I already have the coils front and rear on but have put new struts in the front yet.

MTL_4runner

So we'll assume that when you say strut, you're only talking about the shock portion only. I wanted to be very clear so that something wasn't lost in the semantics of what was said. It just threw me off a bit when you started talking about spring replacement too.