Alignment after Coilovers

[RedSwede]

I'm thinking of installing coilovers to my Mk7 GTI. It looks a relatively straightforward job, and such is the ability of other to screw almost anything up, I'd rather do it myself.

However, the advice is always: "get an alignment after installing coilovers". My question is: why?

The strut is rigidly clamped into the hub casting, so that can't be at a different angle. The top mount allows no adjustment, so that cant change. The only things that can change are the tiny movements of the bolts for the top mount through their holes into the strut tower, and the ball joint bolts through the LCA. These must have less than 0.5mm play looking at videos on Youtube.

Is this significant enough to need an alignment? How do these errors get aligned out if there is an error? Shifting of the whole subframe?

I just can't see any logic in getting a £50 tracking done. And I'd rather not have someone messing about with my subframe for £250 when it wont make any difference (and as per my belief in the ability of others to screw up, would probably make things worse...)

Thanks!

[RedSwede]

I see the real benefits of being fully set up, I'm not trying to sidestep it if it has to be done. Just that I'd rather avoid the hassle of getting it done (right) if I can.

I think the best way is probably to take it to a decent tyre place, and get them to measure it only. I'll hope and pray that it is all good, and if it isn't then worry about how to get it right.

My question was more why I read people saying/implying that it *will* be massively out just from installing coilovers. I see how it could be, but if it was good to start with, I see that there is a fair chance too it will be ok.

I will probably lower it marginally - maybe 5-10mm Max, but I don't want it to look low. If the question was eluding to camber correction, I don't think there is facility to adjust this at the front (without top mounts). I think the rears can adjust, but would be fine with that lowering.