Hello everyone. This forum has proven to be invaluable to me. My car is a 1995 Pontiac Bonneville SE.

This weekend I changed the front strut and the rear shocks. It was badly overdue. Everything went fine until I took the car over to the tire shop to have them put new sneakers on it. I noticed a rattle coming from the passenger rear shock. Took a look and compared it to the left. Turns out I did not get the nut on the top of the piston rod all the way down and the little metal cup at the top is loose. Easy enough fix, but here is my question.

If I tighten that up without removing the shock will I effect alignment? Even if I remove the shock but get the two bottom bolts bottom back exactly where it was will I effect alignment?

As of right now I have convinced myself that with that nut loose will only effect the intail position of the shock at rest. When I tighten the nut it will just draw the shock up about 2 threads worth more but not effect alignment.

What do you think?

I would think just tighten it up. Shouldnt hurt a thing.

The hard part is are you going to be able to tighen it while it is still on the car. There is not alot of room to work on the rear shocks. And you need to get a wrench in the middle so the piston doesn't turn.