I just swapped my stock springs for a set of the Roush/Eibach spring that were used on the Roush Dub edition. According the Roush site, these spring should lower the car 1" in front and 1.5" in rear.

First, I measured from the ground to the top of the wheel well before and after installing the springs and only noticed about a 1/4" difference. That was a couple of days ago and while I haven't yet measured it again, it "looks" like the car is riding a bit lower now.

So, I have 2 questions:

1. How long should it take for the car to settle on the new springs to the new ride height?
2. How long after the spring swap should I wait before having an alignment done?

I'm guessing the answer to both questions will be about the same but am looking to some of you folks that have swapped springs for some advice. Thanks much.

 

If you drive the car aggressively around a couple of corners, it should help the springs settle faster. By "aggressively, I mean to make the car lean hard but not loose traction You might want to find a large empty parking lot and do some figure-8s, Maybe find some speed dips and don't go through them too hard, but be brisk about it.

That should help take some of the new out of them. Also, take the car to Firestone and get a lifetime alignment. I think it's about $80, but it's good as long as you own the car. As it settles, you can take it back and have them re-align.

 

Put about 400 lbs of play sand in the trunk and drive her for a while.
That will settle the rears.
A lot of power stops causing the front end to dive will settle the fronts.
Give it time and they will drop a few millimeters.

Alignments on the S197 are a waste of $$.
Get the TOE adjusted and leave it at that.
And do that PRONTO or you will be a scrubbing
the sheit out of your tires.
The front end is UNADJUSTABLE from the factory.
The only adjustment that can be made without
slotting mounting holes is the TOE.
Unless you get caster/camber plates.
This is all according to the Ford Service Manual.