Shocks and struts installed. Alignment required?

[IS300E30]

I know earlier in the year when I installed new control arms, tie rods, and front sway bar end links that I had to get an alignment afterwards. What about now after installing new front struts with new strut mounts, and rear shocks, is an alignment required after doing this as well.? My car is an 87 325ic if that helps. Also, after installing the shocks and struts my steering wheel is slightly off and not perfectly straight. Not sure if that helps in telling me if i should get an alignment or not.

[87bimmerguy]

Any time you replace or adjust a suspension component it's a good idea to get an alignment, even if you're replacing with stock parts. Your previous alignment adjusted for the wear on your old shocks and struts, and putting new ones on bring the geometry back to stock, thus requiring another alignment.

[dinanm3atl]

As said it is always a good idea. Required? Probably not but would be a good idea.

[Wh33lhop]

If you replaced with the same stuff you had in there, it'd be a good idea to take it in, but as said not required.

If you lowered the car, I'd take it in or toe wear is going to eat your tires pretty quickly (same for the rears, might want to get a weld-in toe kit). That and the car will handle more "factory" with factory toe settings.

Most places will CHECK your alignment for free, then offer to adjust for a fee. Can't hurt to go get it checked, if it's moderately out of spec I'd just do the alignment.