Different Alignment Spec After Lowering?

[troymi]

Was just told by a dealer they don't lower with springs because it changes the alignment spec. My confusion doesn't heal me. Any thoughts on this? True?

If so, where do I get the new alignment spec?

[upstate650]

False. Go to an indie.spec is the same, but they can probably only get it 99.9 % of the way there due to limitations in adjustability of the suspension components.

[troymi]

My thoughts exactly. Not sure why someone would give such an uninformed answer.

[m5 guy]

In general castor and camber in the front is not adjustable on these cars. Only front toe and rear camber/toe are.




Camber:

-Static up front. Only way to change it is with a different oem upper control arm. Either + .5, -.5, or neutral (stock).

-Rear is adjustable but you will not be able to get back to minimum camber since it runs out of adjustment. No aftermarket fix yet that I know of.

Toe:

-Adjustable front and rear. This adjustment coupled with the absurd lack of camber in the front is what causes the front tires to cup.







My settings:

Camber:

-I added the oem -.5 camber control arm so with my drop I'm at -2 in the front.

-The rear is adjusted as positive as possible and it's still a -2.5. I am lowered quite a bit though.

Toe:

-Minimum approved toe in according to adjustment range. This allows the wheels to become 0 toe under acceleration and improves turn in dramatically. A positive side effect is no more cupping.

-Rear is maximum approved toe in according to the adjustment range. Allows one to get on the power earlier coming out of a turn.

[mitch808]

If you're within <-2.0 degrees of negative camber, and have ZERO toe all-around; that is not a bad thing at all for a street vehicle.

Toe eats tires fast. Camber not as much, but can make you rotate much more often to even out the wear, and in some cases, folks flip the tire around (providing it's not directional) So that the inner wear moves to the outside.

What the above local boy says is true otherwise. Though I think toe-out improves turn in ;-P Toe-in improves straight-line stability, and zero is just a good all-around street setting.

So to sum up, if you want to go down this road, find a shop that will do your alignment before getting the springs installed. I understand a Dealer's stance on not wanting to touch a modified suspension, they don't want the liability.