Need For Axle Alignment, Evaluating

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2024 Audi SQ7, 2024 Audi Q7, 2023 Audi SQ7, and 2023 Audi Q7. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

A wheel alignment is necessary if:

Vehicle shows handling problems.
Involved in an accident.
If axle components were removed and installed or replaced.
Tire wear patterns are uneven.

After REMOVING and REINSTALLING components.

Front Axle	Wheel alignment check required		Rear axle	Wheel alignment check required
	Yes	No		Yes	No
Front Upper Control Arm		X	Front Upper Transverse Link	X
Rear Upper Control Arm		X	Rear Upper Transverse Link	X
Lower Guide Link		X	Front Lower Transverse Link		X
Lower Control Arm	X		Rear Lower Transverse Link	X
Ball Joint		X
Suspension Strut		X	Shock Absorber		X
Coil Spring		X	Coil Spring/Air Spring		X
Shock Absorber Fork		X
Wheel Bearing Housing		X	Wheel Bearing Housing	X
Tie Rod	X		Tie Rod	X
Tie Rod End	X
Steering Gear	X		Rear Axle Steering	X
Subframe Crossbrace		X	Steering Adapter	X
Subframe		X ¹⁾	Subframe		X ²⁾
Stabilizer Bar		X	Stabilizer Bar		X
Coupling Rod		X	Coupling Rod		X
¹⁾ Even if the subframe was secured with the locating pins, an axle alignment may be necessary. Perform a road test. Refer to SUBFRAME, SECURING . ²⁾ Even if the subframe was secured with the locating pins, an axle alignment may be necessary. Perform a road test. Refer to Installing .

After REPLACING components

Front Axle	Wheel alignment check required		Rear axle	Wheel alignment check required
	Yes	No		Yes	No
Front upper control arm / bonded rubber bushing		X	Front Upper Transverse Link	X
Rear upper control arm / bonded rubber bushing		X	Rear Upper Transverse Link	X
Lower guide link / bonded rubber bushing	X		Front Lower Transverse Link		X
Lower control arm / bonded rubber bushing	X		Rear Lower Transverse Link	X
			Subframe Bonded Rubber Bushing		X
Ball Joint	X
Suspension Strut		X	Shock Absorber		X
Coil Spring		X	Coil Spring/Air Spring		X
Shock Absorber Fork		X
Wheel Bearing Housing		X	Wheel Bearing Housing	X
Tie Rod	X		Tie Rod	X
Tie Rod End	X
Steering Gear	X		Rear Axle Steering	X
Subframe Crossbrace		X	Steering Adapter	X
Subframe	X		Subframe	X
Stabilizer Bar		X	Stabilizer Bar		X
Coupling Rod		X	Coupling Rod		X