How much will lowering throw off alignment?
01-15-2007, 06:16 PM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location:
Posts: 248
How much will lowering throw off alignment?
How much out of line will my car be after installing Eibach Pro springs? I had them installed today and the mechanic said I shouldn't need to get it aligned since everything was a solid mount. Do you agree?
BTW: The car still rides great with Eibach Pro's sporting 20"s on all 4 corners.
BTW: The car still rides great with Eibach Pro's sporting 20"s on all 4 corners.
01-15-2007, 06:41 PM
#4
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location:
Posts: 2,544
RE: How much will lowering throw off alignment?
I definatley do not agree with your mechanic. Lowering these cars causesmany alignment issues:
1. Camber of your front wheels will definatley be off. This requires camber bolts to adjust & a professional alignment
2. Steering adjustment and toe:may or may not be affected. It needs to be checked and might need adjustment, but it will probably be acceptable. The only time I have seen this be off is with a very low drop like Eibach Sportlines
3. Pinion angle in the rear will definatley be off. This requires adjustable LCAs or adjustable UCA to correct.
4. Rear axle offset needs to be checked. It will probably be off. This requries an adjustable panhard bar to correct. Every once in a while this works out to where it doesn't need to be corrected, but most of the time it will be off.
5. The front-end might have a bump steer issue, but more than likely I think you will be OK. Like the steering/toe above, this is usually only an issue on very low drops.
At the very least get these things checked. Operating your car with them being out of spec can cause increased tire and bearing wear and can even compromise steering and braking. That could be a major safety concern, in addition to lowering your car's performance.
20s have nothing to do with it. Any alignment shop should be able to handle it.
1. Camber of your front wheels will definatley be off. This requires camber bolts to adjust & a professional alignment
2. Steering adjustment and toe:may or may not be affected. It needs to be checked and might need adjustment, but it will probably be acceptable. The only time I have seen this be off is with a very low drop like Eibach Sportlines
3. Pinion angle in the rear will definatley be off. This requires adjustable LCAs or adjustable UCA to correct.
4. Rear axle offset needs to be checked. It will probably be off. This requries an adjustable panhard bar to correct. Every once in a while this works out to where it doesn't need to be corrected, but most of the time it will be off.
5. The front-end might have a bump steer issue, but more than likely I think you will be OK. Like the steering/toe above, this is usually only an issue on very low drops.
At the very least get these things checked. Operating your car with them being out of spec can cause increased tire and bearing wear and can even compromise steering and braking. That could be a major safety concern, in addition to lowering your car's performance.
20s have nothing to do with it. Any alignment shop should be able to handle it.
01-15-2007, 06:46 PM
#5
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,615
RE: How much will lowering throw off alignment?
When we installed the FRPP 1.5" springs on my 07 GT, we didnt get an alignment right away but when we finally did, I was surprised to seemy alignment report!! Mostly in the camber. It wasntmajor but enough to be glad I got the alignment done!!!
IMO, definately get the alignment!!
IMO, definately get the alignment!!
01-15-2007, 06:48 PM
#6
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location:
Posts: 248
RE: How much will lowering throw off alignment?
CrazyAl, I know I have read about these issues in past posts. Never thought dropping the car would cause so many alignment issues. What about all the obese people driving around? Their cars drop well over 1.5" everytime they get in. Do they have alignment issues also? (Hope I didn't offend anyone 
)
)
01-15-2007, 07:01 PM
#7
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MO
Posts: 488
RE: How much will lowering throw off alignment?
the simple answer to the obese people? YES!! Had a buddy who worked at a service station and laughed at this lady who was easily 3 bills driving an older Escort. He said they had to put tires on it about every 10k because she would wear the inner part of the tires due to the car squatting. Moreso on the driver's side, but you get the idea
01-15-2007, 07:03 PM
#8
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 11,278
RE: How much will lowering throw off alignment?
My toe was off on the drivers side, enough to tell just by looking. Not to mention the camber.
I'd find a different mechanic in the future.
20 inch tires are expensive, you'll be replacing them sooner without an alignment.
I'd find a different mechanic in the future.
20 inch tires are expensive, you'll be replacing them sooner without an alignment.
01-15-2007, 07:06 PM
#9
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location:
Posts: 2,544
RE: How much will lowering throw off alignment?
ORIGINAL: stangdude81
the simple answer to the obese people? YES!! Had a buddy who worked at a service station and laughed at this lady who was easily 3 bills driving an older Escort. He said they had to put tires on it about every 10k because she would wear the inner part of the tires due to the car squatting. Moreso on the driver's side, but you get the idea
the simple answer to the obese people? YES!! Had a buddy who worked at a service station and laughed at this lady who was easily 3 bills driving an older Escort. He said they had to put tires on it about every 10k because she would wear the inner part of the tires due to the car squatting. Moreso on the driver's side, but you get the idea
Hah, yes! This does happen. A similar thing can happen with guys that drive trucks and heavily load them with construction supplies, etc. Trucks that are frequently driven while heavily loaded require special shocks and springs.
01-15-2007, 08:03 PM
#10
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MO
Posts: 488
RE: How much will lowering throw off alignment?
I'm not pointing fingers or saying anyone's mechanic is an idiot since I don't personally know very many of you. However, in my 7 years of selling parts I have come to the following conclusion: There are times when someone insists their "mechanic" claims there is nothing wrong with something, or that something else is the problem on their vehicle. However, what they fail to mention is that their "mechanic" is not a trained technician who works at the local garage, but their drunken brother-in-law who trades his time working on their car for a four pack of Stag tall boys.
