A question about an alignment. - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

MQTGSR · 04-26-2008, 03:52 PM

So as some of you may know, I just put 2in. lowering springs on my car, along with Koni yellows.

I have heard conflicting points of view as to weather I should get an alignment or not. I have made no other adjustments other than replaceing some oem bushings with poly ones, and the springs/struts. I dont think this would throw off your alignment would it??

It does not pull wierd or drive funny, I just want to know for sure weather I should get one or not.

EnJoiThaRex · 04-26-2008, 06:43 PM

worn bushings can throw off alignment spec but if you replaced them you should be ok

i think the only thing lowering can really effect is camber

Zinc · 04-26-2008, 08:43 PM

yeah your camber in the front and toe in the back (which are set by factory spring height and cannot be adjusted). you will have bump steer my friend. And you'll also eat your tires prematurely. Camber/Toe kits are all over ebay for hondas. check it out.

HonduhDave · 04-26-2008, 08:49 PM

^

Any time you alter your suspension you need an alignment. Doesn't mean anything necessarily has to be changed but you want to check camber, toe, and caster to make sure there within spec. 1 or 2 degrees of negative camber isn't too big a deal, but it will wear your tires unevenly. Trust me, I've been there. I lowered my '92 Accord about 3-3.5" and the camber was wayyy off; the tires ended up wearing out quicker and unevenly (more on the outside.) Camber kits aren't that expensive, I'd look into it...

holloway · 04-26-2008, 10:34 PM

X2 you cant tell with the naked eye but it out of alignment

MiataMania · 04-26-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonduhDave

Any time you alter your suspension you need an alignment. Doesn't mean anything necessarily has to be changed but you want to check camber, toe, and caster to make sure there within spec. 1 or 2 degrees of negative camber isn't too big a deal, but it will wear your tires unevenly.

Especially if its is a daily driver. And on how aggressively you drive...I run close to -3/-2.5 and a good amount of toe out up front and get decent wear...but I abuse the car on mountain roads, auto-x...etc etc fairly regularly as well as a good amount of highway driving.

I've only dicked around at home with adjusting toe up front...but I would recommend getting an alignment after looking into the camber kits.

MQTGSR · 04-27-2008, 02:00 AM

Hm, I mean this is a very slight drop, and I drive it kinda hard on the roads at times and occasionally auto x. My tires wore more out the outsides when stock, so idk how bad it will be with a 2in front drop and 1.7in rear.

How much of a pain are these camber kits?

Basically what I am hearing is I should get one of these then get the alignment because you cant adjust some settings without these kits.

EnJoiThaRex · 04-27-2008, 06:04 AM

im not sure what come with the kits but i know many cars have a way to adjust camber..(shims, drilling)

the shop you get an alignment will mostly likely do it for you but im guessing the camber kits make it easier

Zinc · 04-27-2008, 12:51 PM

your tires wore out on the outsides from aggressive driving. Hard turning. and the kits are easy as pie to install. The front camber kit is usually an adjustable top plate that you replace with your stock one, in the rear not sure, there's an arm you replace by an adjustable one. I've heard it been called the smart arm.

I don't know any other way you could adjust the cmber, unless you drill a new hole in the top plate for the upper ball joint to move into. That can't be safe. Or drill holes in the frame to move the topplate there (where it bolts to the shock tower)

Anyways, i lowered my civic 2" front 1.75" back and my tires laster 2 summers. The second summer they were down to the steel belts. I had no idea cause i got an alignment done and the guy said everything was cool. FUcking bastard. Point is i looked into it and you can't change those two adjustments. You need a kit, they are cheap and they are safe. FULLY adjustable too, so when your springs start to sit down in a couple of years, you can readjust.

acuradriva · 04-27-2008, 02:28 PM

i would go and get the alignment 1st. That is what will tell you if you need a camber kit. When I did mine I told them to use ITR specs because it is a little lower than the gsr stock. I didn't need a kit on the rear but the front i did.

White98LS · 04-28-2008, 01:58 PM

ANY time you install different parts or change the suspension in any way, the act of taking it all apart and putting it together changes your alignment settings. You have to get one if you want to avoid irregular/fast tire wear, unless you are somehow extremely lucky and get all the settings within spec by chance, although then you won't know until it's possibly too late.

As for camber, see how many degrees you have when you get the alignment. If it's -2.0 or below you should be good as long as you have the mechanic set your toe angles to 0 during your alignment.

iLLeFFeKt CiViC · 04-28-2008, 06:00 PM

Yes, you should do an alignment after you install suspension parts.
Have them set the TOE to 0 and see how off the camber is.
Anything from 0* to -2* its ok for the street. Anything from -2* and down you need a camber kit.

MQTGSR · 04-28-2008, 10:38 PM

Making my alignment appointment tomorrow, thanks for the input guys, a real help.

Zinc · 04-29-2008, 11:09 AM

Actually you're all right, the integra seems to have less issues with lowering than civics. I was thinking about my civic. My friend lowered his integra the exact same and he doesn't need a camber kit.

I don't understand why though, i thought the susp. parts were all the same. And my alignment was all set to spec, just that he didn't touch the camber. If anyone could shed some light on that it'd be great. Is it my 17"? Will larger rims accentuate the camber?

MQTGSR · 04-29-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zinc

Actually you're all right, the integra seems to have less issues with lowering than civics. I was thinking about my civic. My friend lowered his integra the exact same and he doesn't need a camber kit.

I don't understand why though, i thought the susp. parts were all the same. And my alignment was all set to spec, just that he didn't touch the camber. If anyone could shed some light on that it'd be great. Is it my 17"? Will larger rims accentuate the camber?

Maybe? I know there are lots of things to consider when changing wheels, like offset, backspacing and whatnot.

I should have thought about camber issues when I bought the setup, it totally skipped my mind, but we'll see what happens, It would be nice if I dont need one as I am shit for money right now.