Wheel Allignment & Bushings Timing

[69307]

Should I have the wheels aligned and the bushings timed at the same time that I install my drop springs? Or should I wait a period of time (or miles) before I have the alignment and timings done? Thanks!

[Synner]

Timing is done at the time of installation. I'd wait a couple hundred miles and a week or two to let the springs settle before the alignment.

[10aSSee D]

Sorry but what is bushing timing?

[Synner]

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179281

[BAWLZ SS]

Originally Posted by 10aSSee D

Sorry but what is bushing timing?

Tighting ur suspension to torque specs with the weight of the vehicle on and not in the air (jack stands or lift)

[69307]

Originally Posted by Synner

Timing is done at the time of installation. I'd wait a couple hundred miles and a week or two to let the springs settle before the alignment.

Thanks

[10aSSee D]

Originally Posted by BAWLZ SS

Tighting ur suspension to torque specs with the weight of the vehicle on and not in the air (jack stands or lift)

Thanks for clearing that up.

[67motorcat]

I have read alot here about the need for "timing" the bushings.

I am not in disagreement that it may be necessary,however it was not done at the factory.

See the pics below I shot while at the Oshawa factory and you can clearly see the suspension is at full droop all the way through until it comes of the line for the first time.
The pivot points are fully tightened as I saw no one re-tighten when the Cars finally hit the ground.

I personally did not do it to my Car when I installed dropped springs.No problems what so ever.

Can't hurt to do it.......just saying.

[Bruce@raymondsperformance]

[BMR guy]

Cool pics!

At this stage the suspension may be hanging but the bolts have already been tightened at simulated ride height. You can tell in some of the pics that the bolts have already been marked, identifying that they were torqued to spec and signed off on. The weight of the suspension is allowing the suspension to droop by twisting the bushings. When the weight of the car is finally put onto the suspension the bushings will return to the clock position they were tightened at.

I understand that people have lowered their vehicles without re-clocking (timing) the bushings and have no issues. I can only say that with all of the spring installs we have performed we have seen up to a 1/2" change in vehicle height simply by re-clocking the bushings. I realize it is an extra expense but it's not like we as manufacturers have anything to gain by pushing this, it simply insures that you will get the best and most consistent performance out of your vehicle.

Originally Posted by 67motorcat

I have read alot here about the need for "timing" the bushings.

I am not in disagreement that it may be necessary,however it was not done at the factory.

See the pics below I shot while at the Oshawa factory and you can clearly see the suspension is at full droop all the way through until it comes of the line for the first time.
The pivot points are fully tightened as I saw no one re-tighten when the Cars finally hit the ground.

I personally did not do it to my Car when I installed dropped springs.No problems what so ever.

Can't hurt to do it.......just saying.

[67motorcat]

I understand what you are saying.

I'm just saying I never saw them "lift" the suspension to simulate ride hieght when they tightened the bushing bolts.

Not to say it wasn't done,but I didn't see it and followed one particular chassis through that process.

I wonder why the poster above you posted this ...I don't think that I posted something stupid.

I'm sharing what I saw at Oshawa with everyone and expressed my opinion...sorry dude.

By the way,I love my BMR trailing arms

[BMR guy]

Originally Posted by 67motorcat

I understand what you are saying.

I'm just saying I never saw them "lift" the suspension to simulate ride hieght when they tightened the bushing bolts.

Not to say it wasn't done,but I didn't see it and followed one particular chassis through that process.

I wonder why the poster above you posted this ...I don't think that I posted something stupid.

I'm sharing what I saw at Oshawa with everyone and expressed my opinion...sorry dude.

By the way,I love my BMR trailing arms

I didn't see anything wrong with your post. It's not like you were trying to convince people not to re-clock their bushings, you were simply stating what you saw and sharing your experience.

I haven't personally watched a Fifth gen suspension assembly come together on the production line but I have done tons of suspension systems on many different vehicles from our product line and can tell you how easily bushings can effect ride heights if they are tightened with the suspension hanging. This isn't a problem that comes only from lowering. This is an issue any time a suspension part (with rubber bushings) is removed or replaced. When re-installing the part the bolts need to be tightened with the weight of the car resting on the suspension or the bushings will be in a pre-loaded state. It's just good practice to do this anytime you are working on suspension components.

Glad you like your Trailing Arms, btw!

[JusticePete]

There is an easy way to verify the OE assembly times the bushes to OE ride height. With an OE 5th Gen on a two post lift and the wheels at full droop loosen the front inner control arm bush and watch the wheel drop. The same is true in the rear.

There is nothing wrong with your post or question. Camaro5 is a discussion board. It is more than that. It is a community. The only bad question is the one that doesn't get asked.

[67motorcat]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

There is an easy way to verify the OE assembly times the bushes to OE ride height. With an OE 5th Gen on a two post lift and the wheels at full droop loosen the front inner control arm bush and watch the wheel drop. The same is true in the rear.

There is nothing wrong with your post or question. Camaro5 is a discussion board. It is more than that. It is a community. The only bad question is the one that doesn't get asked.

Yes,that makes perfect sence.....

I was referring to the guy from Bruce@RaymondsPerformance that apparently thought my comments deserved this

My feelings got hurt

As usual Justice Pete and the BMR guys are rite on target.