Intrax, Eibach, Springtech, etc...

[ltnate3]

That looks fine, it is nearly impossible to get perfect alignment on a used car. I watched an Auto Mechanic teacher do my alignment and a couple places couldn't be perfect without replacing large parts.

Can you post some new pics with the lowered springs?

I have my "winter" wheels on now but I will take a pic later.

 

[ltnate3]

George,

When I had my car lowered the dealer couldn't get the caster adjusted enough so mine is out. I have slight oversteer sometimes on hard bumps but since I've had my car lowered for well over 2 years now I'm use to it. I guess there isn't that much adjustment for caster on LS.

A little off on caster shouldn't create any problems. Maybe just a little oversteer at times when going over bumps.

I forgot to mention one of my sway bar links popped off. Where can I get new ones?

 

[GWL]

George,

When I had my car lowered the dealer couldn't get the caster adjusted enough so mine is out. I have slight oversteer sometimes on hard bumps but since I've had my car lowered for well over 2 years now I'm use to it. I guess there isn't that much adjustment for caster on LS.

A little off on caster shouldn't create any problems. Maybe just a little oversteer at times when going over bumps.

Actually I prefer a little more caster than stock as it gives a better on center feel to me and the LS is already too light in feedback for my taste. But what I was referring to was that his caster was out before he lowered and it moved toward the spec when it was lowered. According to his results sheet, he now has less toe (IMHO Good) and slightly less Caster (=) while camber is now closer to spec than before the new springs. Again it is all personal taste, but I live with a little tire wear to have as close to 0 toe & on some cars a small +toe works for me and as much neg Camber as I can live with.

 

[ltnate3]

So no one has a problem with the right rear being that far out of specs?

 

[GWL]

So no one has a problem with the right rear being that far out of specs?

Those numbers have to be a bit suspect. The R rear Camber is the same before & after the drop and the Camber on the rear is not adjustable. So How did that happen? Also toe is adjustable but R & L are different while the total toe is within specs. If it were my LS, I would prefer that the toe was adjusted equally to bring the total into spec. How about an alignment specialist's opinion. All my experience is from the days before computer alignment.
:Beer

 

[ltnate3]

Those numbers have to be a bit suspect. The R rear Camber is the same before & after the drop and the Camber on the rear is not adjustable. So How did that happen? Also toe is adjustable but R & L are different while the total toe is within specs. If it were my LS, I would prefer that the toe was adjusted equally to bring the total into spec. How about an alignment specialist's opinion. All my experience is from the days before computer alignment.
:Beer

Hey I appreciate your input. The numbers look weird to me too but I have no idea what is right for our suspension. I might just take it to another place and have them check it.

 

[Quik LS]

the right rear camber is out quite a bit - you'll need to watch tire wear, and swap them often.

 

[ltnate3]

the right rear camber is out quite a bit - you'll need to watch tire wear, and swap them often.

Quick why would this be?

 

[Quik LS]

But what I was referring to was that his caster was out before he lowered and it moved toward the spec when it was lowered.

makes no sense.

The LS already has a fairly large caster at 8.6 degrees. It should have increased when the car was lowered - I thought.... Far as I know - it is not adjustable.

 

[Quik LS]

Quick why would this be?

not sure why one side is out more than the other - maybe something is worn more, or bent a little.

the tire folks normally do not like seening more than 1.5 degrees camber on normal everyday street tires.

 

[ltnate3]

not sure why one side is out more than the other - maybe something is worn more, or bent a little.

the tire folks normally do not like seening more than 1.5 degrees camber on normal everyday street tires.

Honestly the more I think about it, the more I think these guys were clowns. I'm going to take it somewhere else this weekend and see what another shop comes up with.

 

[GWL]

Honestly the more I think about it, the more I think these guys were clowns. I'm going to take it somewhere else this weekend and see what another shop comes up with.

Post what they find, I will bet it will be interesting.

 

[ltnate3]

Post what they find, I will bet it will be interesting.

Ok the "Before" numbers are based on when the springs were first put on the car before the alignment, not when the car was first put on the rack with original equipment. And obviously the actual is after the alignment. So based on that what do you guys think? I'm still taking it somewhere else today to have the alignment checked again.

 

[GWL]

Ok the "Before" numbers are based on when the springs were first put on the car before the alignment, not when the car was first put on the rack with original equipment. And obviously the actual is after the alignment. So based on that what do you guys think? I'm still taking it somewhere else today to have the alignment checked again.

I can't speak for how you react to these types of things, but it would drive my crazy until I had it checked again somewhere else. It may verify the first shop's work or it may not. I would also like to know if anything on the R rear had been tweaked. Just for peace of mind, I would recheck the setup.

 

[ltnate3]

I can't speak for how you react to these types of things, but it would drive my crazy until I had it checked again somewhere else. It may verify the first shop's work or it may not. I would also like to know if anything on the R rear had been tweaked. Just for peace of mind, I would recheck the setup.

It drives me crazy and even my wife is surprised I haven't kicked this guys A$$.

 

[02LSE96LSC91SE84TC]

It drives me crazy and even my wife is surprised I haven't kicked this guys A$$.

Hes not worth it. How you like them, to early to tell? I'm dropping mine soon,this thread is good for me. I got the 20s and need as much knowledge as can before I do it. Thanks all.

 

[ltnate3]

Hes not worth it. How you like them, to early to tell? I'm dropping mine soon,this thread is good for me. I got the 20s and need as much knowledge as can before I do it. Thanks all.

Yeah you're right. Besides the hassle with the alignment the car drives great. I took an offramp at a pretty high speed last night and it hugged the corner very well. I've hit a couple of bumps and railroad tracks and didn't feel that much of a difference but it was slight. My 18s are the same size as my stock in overall height so I don't anticipate and rubbing issues. Now when I put my other rims on will I have to get another alignment?

 

[ltnate3]

Does anyone else have their alignment specs for me to compare?

 

[GWL]

Yeah you're right. Besides the hassle with the alignment the car drives great. I took an offramp at a pretty high speed last night and it hugged the corner very well. I've hit a couple of bumps and railroad tracks and didn't feel that much of a difference but it was slight. My 18s are the same size as my stock in overall height so I don't anticipate and rubbing issues. Now when I put my other rims on will I have to get another alignment?

Only if you change overall tire diameter or significantly change tire width or offset.

 

[ltnate3]

Only if you change overall tire diameter or significantly change tire width or offset.

What would cause my right rear to be so far out of wack? What's back there that could've worn?

 

[beaups]

could be bent control arms, frame damage from accident, lots of things.

 

[ltnate3]

could be bent control arms, frame damage from accident, lots of things.

Man don't say accident. I was guaranteed it wasn't in an accident. Got if off a employee lease

 

[beaups]

bushings could probably cause...possibly a bad pothole or curb "incident" bent something (didn't say accident)

 

[GWL]

Man don't say accident. I was guaranteed it wasn't in an accident. Got if off a employee lease

Accident is such a negative word. Perhaps the previous driver just had a curb incident that he never thought about and would not report to his leasing company. Sliding sideways on an icy road into a curb at slow speed may not even register as being significant. It is not out enough to be visually obvious.

 

[ltnate3]

Accident is such a negative word. Perhaps the previous driver just had a curb incident that he never thought about and would not report to his leasing company. Sliding sideways on an icy road into a curb at slow speed may not even register as being significant. It is not out enough to be visually obvious.

I have to admit, I've been driving the hell out of the car since the new springs and love it.