Do you need an alignment after replacing struts on a Subaru?

Yes—most Subaru owners should schedule a wheel alignment after strut replacement, especially on all-wheel-drive models or when more than one suspension component has been touched. This helps ensure tires wear evenly and the vehicle tracks straight with proper steering response.

Replacing struts can alter ride height and suspension geometry, which can affect toe, camber, and, on some models, caster. If the suspension was disturbed during replacement or if only the front struts were replaced, the alignment can drift as the new parts settle. For Subaru AWD platforms, a four-wheel alignment is commonly recommended to preserve traction, stability, and even tire wear.

Why alignment matters after strut replacement

Alignment ensures the wheels point in the correct directions relative to the chassis. When you replace struts, the following can change and should be checked:

• Front toe and camber, which influence steering feel and tire contact with the road


• Rear toe on models where it is adjustable, which affects tire wear and handling

Vehicle ride height and suspension settling, which can shift alignment values after a few miles

• Steering-wheel alignment to ensure the wheel centers properly when driving straight

Many Subaru owners notice improved steering response and more even tire wear after alignment is completed and the values are brought back to factory specs.

When a four-wheel alignment is recommended for Subaru AWD

Below are common scenarios where a full four-wheel alignment is especially advised after strut work:

• Replacing front struts on an all-wheel-drive Subaru, where changes in the front can influence rear alignment through the drivetrain and suspension geometry


• Replacing all four struts or other suspension components that affect toe/camber at both ends


• Suspension work that involves subframes, control arms, or tie rods, which can shift wheel angles


• A significant ride-height change from new or aftermarket struts

In AWD Subarus, a four-wheel alignment helps ensure even tire wear across all four tires and maintains balanced handling, which is particularly important for traction and stability on varying road surfaces.

What to expect during and after the alignment service

Here is what typically happens during an alignment after strut replacement:

• Technician measures current toe, camber, and caster values against Subaru factory specs


• Front toe is adjusted, and front camber is set where the model allows


• Rear toe and, where available, rear camber are adjusted


• Ride height is checked and the suspension is allowed to settle before a final pass


• A road-test may be performed to confirm tracking and steering feel before issuing a final printout

Tip: Ask for a printout of the before/after alignment specs and a quick re-check after 100 miles of driving to ensure everything remains within spec.

Tips for Subaru owners planning alignment

Before you go to the shop, consider these pointers to make the process smooth and effective:

• Inform the technician of all suspension work done, including which struts were replaced and whether any other components were touched


• Ask whether a four-wheel alignment is recommended for your model and driving conditions


• Plan for the vehicle to be leveled and stationary before measurements, and allow time for the ride height to settle


• Get a printed specification sheet showing toe, camber, and caster values before and after the adjustment

After the service, monitor tire wear and steering responsiveness. If you notice pulling, uneven tire wear, or a crooked steering wheel, return to the shop for a quick recheck.

Summary

In most cases, a wheel alignment is advisable after replacing struts on a Subaru, with a four-wheel alignment being particularly important for AWD models. Replacing struts can alter suspension geometry and ride height, which affects toe, camber, and overall handling. Planning an alignment as part of the repair minimizes tire wear and helps restore precise steering and stability. Always confirm with your technician that the alignment matches Subaru’s factory specifications and consider a follow-up check after the suspension settles.

Do new struts take time to settle?

Yes, new struts need time to settle, especially when new springs are installed. The break-in period allows the springs and other components like rubber bushings to compress and adjust to their intended position, which can take anywhere from a few hundred miles to a couple of weeks. During this time, the vehicle may feel stiffer, and the ride height could be higher than before. 
How long does it take?

• Stiffer and higher: Expect a break-in period of up to a couple hundred miles. 
• OE-style assemblies: These may take 50-100 miles to settle due to rubber bushings. 
• High-performance systems: Some high-quality coilovers may be ready to go much sooner. 
• Ride height change: The new struts may make the car sit higher initially, and this is normal. The springs need to settle to the factory height. 

What should you do?

• Drive normally: Simply driving the car is the best way for it to settle. 
• Wait for an alignment: Wait about 100-200 miles before getting a wheel alignment to ensure it's accurate after the suspension has settled. 
• Don't panic: A slightly stiffer ride and higher ride height are normal during the break-in period. 

Is an alignment necessary after replacing struts?

Yes, you almost always need an alignment after replacing front struts because the process can change the suspension geometry, affecting the camber and toe angles. Even if the struts don't have adjustment slots, the new components can alter the ride height and, therefore, the wheel alignment. 
This video explains how replacing struts can affect your car's alignment: 51sEricTheCarGuyYouTube · Jan 15, 2016
Why an alignment is necessary

• Alters suspension geometry: Replacing struts changes how the suspension is positioned, which can affect the wheel angles that determine alignment. 
• Changes ride height: New springs in the strut assembly can change the vehicle's ride height, which will throw off the alignment. 
• Impacts handling and safety: An alignment ensures the tires are positioned correctly, which is crucial for proper steering, braking, and preventing uneven tire wear. 
• Ensures performance: A proper alignment allows the new components to perform as they were designed, maximizing the benefits of the new struts. 

This video explains why you need an alignment after replacing suspension components like struts: 52sOne Trick TechnicianYouTube · May 3, 2025
When alignment is critical

• Front struts: Replacing front struts almost always requires an alignment check because they are structural components that significantly affect alignment angles. 
• Aftermarket parts: It is especially important to get an alignment after installing aftermarket suspension parts, as they can have different dimensions or weights than the original parts. 
• After any suspension work: It is best practice to get an alignment any time you replace suspension components, including control arms, ball joints, or tie rods, as it can have a ripple effect on the entire alignment. 

This video explains why you need an alignment after installing aftermarket suspension parts: 55sRacelandYouTube · Jul 21, 2023
How to know if you need an alignment

• Consult the vehicle's service manual: Some vehicle designs might have different requirements, so it's always a good idea to check the manufacturer's recommendations. 
• Look for signs of misalignment: Even if an alignment was performed, watch for signs such as a car pulling to one side, the steering wheel not being straight, or uneven tire wear. 

What else should be replaced when replacing struts?

When replacing struts, you should also replace strut mounts and dust boots for optimal performance and protection. Additionally, it's wise to inspect and replace other worn components like sway bar links, spring pads, and bump stops. Finally, a professional alignment is essential after replacing struts. 
This video explains what other parts you should replace along with your struts: 59sBrake & Front EndYouTube · Aug 11, 2020
Essential parts to replace

• Strut mounts: Also called bearing plates, these are crucial for smooth steering and should be replaced with the struts as they are often worn out. 
• Dust boots and bump stops: These protect the new strut from dirt and damage. If they are degraded, they should be replaced as well. 
• Spring pads and insulators: These are often overlooked but can be worn or cracked. They sit between the spring and the strut body, so replacing them is good practice. 

Parts to inspect and replace if worn

• Sway bar links and bushings: These connect the sway bar to the suspension and are common wear items. Replacing them with the struts will prevent noise and ensure proper handling. 
• Ball joints: Inspect these for any play or damage. If they have excessive movement, they should be replaced. 
• Control arm bushings: Check the bushings on the control arms for wear or cracking and replace them if necessary. 
• Brake pads and rotors: It's a good time to inspect your brakes and replace pads or rotors if they are due for replacement. 

You can watch this video to learn how to replace struts: 59sChrisFixYouTube · May 13, 2016
Always after replacement 

• Wheel alignment: A professional wheel alignment is necessary after replacing struts to ensure proper tire wear and handling. 

Do struts have anything to do with alignment?

Yes, struts affect alignment, and a wheel alignment is almost always needed after replacing them. Worn struts can cause misalignment, and the process of replacing them can shift suspension geometry, altering the angles of your wheels (camber, caster, and toe). Performing an alignment ensures the wheels are properly angled for optimal tire wear and vehicle handling.
 
How struts affect alignment

• Suspension geometry: Replacing struts involves disassembling and reassembling suspension components, which can slightly alter their position and lead to a misalignment. 
• Ride height: New struts will result in a different ride height than worn ones. This change can directly impact the suspension angles, which are crucial for proper alignment. 
• Adjustment points: The strut itself can be part of the alignment process. Some models have adjustment slots on the struts, and how they are installed will affect the final alignment. 
• Worn struts: Even if you don't replace them, worn-out or damaged struts can cause a vehicle to pull to one side and lead to abnormal tire wear, indicating a misalignment. 

Why an alignment is necessary after replacement

• Prevent premature tire wear: An alignment ensures your new tires will wear evenly, which is essential since the previous struts were likely causing uneven wear. 
• Improve handling and safety: A proper alignment improves your car's handling, stability, and safety, especially when cornering. 
• Corrects alignment angles: After a strut replacement, all relevant alignment angles—including camber, caster, and toe—must be checked and adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications.