crj900

Like the title says. I posted on another forum and this is the reply I got. I plan on going with eibach lowering sprrings. 1.3inches..

"did you get a adjustable panhard bar? You will need it because the rear end will not be center. For the eibachs your probly going to need some camber adjustments also, on the struts there are marks to where you need to elongate the hole to. Also anything from a 1.5in drop and more, different shocks/struts are highly recommended"

I thought it was just an easy swap, like with my 02...

ink003

the answer is maybe. i did not need a camber adjustment, but the rear axle needed re-alignment.

crj900

How much did you lower?

ThumperMX113

Any time you lower the front end of a vehicle, or raise it for that matter, you need to get an alignment. No you don't need camber bolts, more than likely. I've lowered two S197s and aligned them and none of them needed camber bolts. My girlfriend's car did not need an Adj Panhard Bar, it was off from the factory and lowering it actually corrected it, it's a V6 just for reference. I needed an Adj. Panhard Bar when I lowered 1.25" in the rear, 1" in the front, with Steeda Sport Springs. I'm running the BMR Adj. Panhard Bar with Poly Ends and their Brace.

crj900

How much did the panhard bar run you, and how hard is it to install? Sorry but I'm somewhat new to the suspsension area.

ThumperMX113

I bought from Brenspeed, I think it was $135. I know they don't have the one I bought on their website so you have to call and order it. It's easy to install, you just have to adjust it to center the rear end which is harder in my opinion than installing it.

crj900

Hmm. Steeda should only drop it a little over an inch... I think I might go with ford racing springs. They don't drop as much as steeda/eibach right? I really want to avoid buying another part like this... I'm on somewhat of a budget..

ThumperMX113

FRPP drop 1.5", same as the Eibach Pro Kit, I believe. I'd go with the Steeda springs, they all drop the same amount. Regardless you'll need to get it unless you want your rear end tracking differently than your front like a pick up truck with a bent frame.[8D]

Argonaut

The advice you received on the other forum is sound advice and exactly what many folks on this forum would say. The trouble is, there is no single RIGHT answer here. It very much depends on your car (every car is different, wheels are different, tires, etc), your goals and your budget. There is the "right way" to lower a car (read $)and there is the "cheap" way to lower a car (springs only). The difference is significant but even doing it the cheap way will make a big change in the car's behavior that you will likely interpret as a significant upgrade over stock in terms of both looks and handling performance (but probably not in terms of quality of ride).

So the cheap way is to just get a set of lowering springs installed. The camber may be more negative than spec (big deal, its just means you will eliminate some of the front end push these cars are so famous for at the possible expense of very slight wear on the inside of your tires - doubtful but possible. I run -2 degrees of camber every day and I'm wearing my tires on the outside due to very aggressive cornering). The toe may be slightly out of spec also...again no big deal and this can be adjusted w/o any other parts. The rear may be slightly off center. This is the worst problem but the car will still work fine, you probably won't even notice performance wise but may notice the visual off-center (left tire sticking out from wheel well).

You can do this now, as your budget allows and then add more stuff in the future if you feel the need. For example, the biggest improvement in ride and handling will come from an upgrade to the stock dampers. In fact, unless the "look" of a lowered car is your primary goal, IMO the first suspension mod should be dampers.