So my lower control arm bushing is bad and having my local shop replace the arm later this week. They mentioned an alignment, but I was leaning towards driving it after the replacement, and if everything feels right, going without the alignment.

What do you guys think? Is an alignment necessary after replacing a lower control arm?

 

You absolutely will need an alignment afterward. Anytime you tear apart the front end you will need an alignment. The best thing you can do when you own this car is find a place that offers lifetime alignments and buy one.

Change springs? Need alignment
Change shocks? Need alignment
Change bushings? Need alignment
Ball joints? Alignment
Tie rods? Alignment
Control arms? Align..

You get the picture.

 

technically none of the bolts that you take off in order to replace lower control arm are alignment bolts. So in theory you would not need to align anything.
If the tires are relatively new, I'd do the alignment. If not I'd live it the way it is.

The only adjustment we get in the front (G Coupe) is a toe adjustment with steering rack. So if those adjustments untouched alignment should not change.

Having said that here's the other side of the coin.
Your previous alignment was done with bad/worn our bushing on the control arm. Who's to say that your new bushings wont get your suspension out of alignment? <- Alignment, that's who.

So once again. If I were you I'd make my decision based on the tires. Good/New=Alignment, Older/less than half left=No alignment.
I usually get around 40k out of my tires. If I would be at 30K I would not do the alignment, but then I have a lifetime alignment, so I do mine every time I touch a bolt on my suspension. 4 times since October

 

^i guarantee you his toe will be fukced up. Adjusting toe is part of getting an alignment (maybe the most important part). Its not like they'll charge him less just cuz he needs some parts adjusted.

 

Have it aligned! Front and back! If you take your hands off the wheel does it still go straight? I did that when l bought my 05X the salesman got scared. I said it the only way to tell if it is alignment is good! She went straight as an arrow!