Hotchkis spring question

[busman721]

Got my 1in lowering springs last night and was wondering about having to loosen the susp to allow the bushings to seat properly? Also has anyone installed drop springs and skipped the alignment? Or is it necessary to get an alignment?

[faSSt]

Some people call it "preloading" the bushings or "timing" them. It is required so that they don't twist/bind with the car being an inch lower. You will need to loosen all pivot point on the arms, lower car (an easy drive around the block is best) and retighten the bolts you had loosened. If you dont do this it will lead to premature wear on your bushings and also add a little more bounce to the ride.


I'm not real sure about the alignment, but I would guess your not making the most out of your springs and probably going to wear tires quicker as well.

Good luck and enjoy the springs!

[CC Performance]

yes on the alignment.. if you lower it you change the geometry

[busman721]

Ok, Thanks guys

[BMR guy]

Originally Posted by busman721

Got my 1in lowering springs last night and was wondering about having to loosen the susp to allow the bushings to seat properly? Also has anyone installed drop springs and skipped the alignment? Or is it necessary to get an alignment?

Any time the springs are removed from the car, an alignment is necesarry. To remove the front struts, you must remove the alignment bolts that retain them to the spindle (knuckle). These adjust Camber which also effects Toe.
In the rear, most people will unbolt the lower control arms to get the shock/spring assembly out of the car. This also requires removing the rear camber adjustment bolt making it necesarry to re-align the car afterwards.

As for re-clocking (indexing, timing, etc.) the bushings, it is a good idea to do this anytime a suspension link is unbolted. This issue is sometimes misunderstood but really is a simple (although time consuming) process. Fore more info on when, why, and how to re-clock the suspension bushings visit this link:
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153188

[Hotchkis]

Originally Posted by busman721

Got my 1in lowering springs last night and was wondering about having to loosen the susp to allow the bushings to seat properly? Also has anyone installed drop springs and skipped the alignment? Or is it necessary to get an alignment?

Busman721 – It’s always a great idea to perform final torque of suspension bushings with the vehicle on the ground or with the suspension loaded at ride height. Any time you unbolt a strut assembly and install lowering springs you should have your car realigned.

[Info@PeddersUSA.com]

it's been well stated already, but yes you will need an alignment.

Anytime you do any suspension work that involved loosening or changes in ride height an alignment is required.