When to get a steering alignment...

Alright, advice and opinions needed.

I recently got done installing a full new suspension on the truck. OME 882's, Nitrochargers all around, and Dakar rear-springs.

The steering alignment is now off...a bit. Steering wheel is off-center, vehicle pulls slightly to the left, wheels are off camber (they're riding slightly on the outside corner of the rubber), and it wanders a little bit at highway speeds.

I KNOW I need an alignment, but I was wondering if I should hold off until I get my new front bumper installed. It's a tube-steel bumper with stinger from Addicted Offroad. I already have the rear-bumper and sliders installed, but the front bumper won't arrive until late next week.

I'm only wondering this because I don't want to get an alignment right now, install the new front bumper (which by all means, should be heavier), and then need another front-end alignment because the bumper sagged the suspension lower.

Thoughts or opinions? It's not dangerously out of alignment or anything, it's actually easy to drive, but it isn't that nice on my tires...or fuel mileage.

Thanks!

 

You didn't specify the current condition of your tires. If they are new, I would get the alignment now rather than wait. Sure, the front is soing to settle some when you add the extra weight but the impact on an alignment will be minimal compared to what being out of alignment will do to the wear on your current tires.

 

The tires have about 7k on them, they are rather new. However, they would only be running of of alignment for one more week.

 

I'd align it.
A 40-50# bumper isn't going to do much of anything to the alignment.

 

Alright, that is the answer I was looking for. Thanks!