Alingment for all you who just used lowering springs?

[indigloflow]

I did a self install about a month ago with the PFADT springs, I haven't driven my car but around 100 miles since.

My question is where did you take it for an alingment?

Did you take it to a speed shop that specializes in performence cars, or did you take it to the local tire shop and just give the the recomended specs from the spring manufacturer.

I live in Kansas City, and don't know of anyone who specializes in this sort of thing but tire shops are a dime a dozen is there a benefit of seeking out a specialist or should I just give them the specs and let there computer do the work?

Thanks in advance

Jesse

[Don O]

I took mine to a place that specializes in suspension, Clark's House of Suspension in Lake Forest CA. But that doesn't help you

Don O

[BIGK909]

i took mine to firestone to get it aligned but they said i need a camber bolt kit and they said they did not have a kit available for the 2010 camaros yet. anyone else have this problem?

[RichJ.]

Generally you will be better off with a shop that understands suspensions. Check with your friends in the area, see if they can recommend someplace. Maybe someone who road races or auto crosses. Maybe contact your local SCCA region, see if they can recommend a place.

[revron]

bigk909

I had a 1+'' drop put on mine, Buy the dealer and had it aligned. I did NOT need a camber bolt kit.

[JProberts]

Wouldn't your local GM dealer be the best place to go for alignments? I would assume that they have all the correct equipment and specs for the alignment for their vehicles.

[JusticePete]

ANY alignment shop that will answer yes to these question will be a good shop to take your lowered Camaro.

1. I just put lowering coils on my car. I need to have my rubber bushes timed to the new ride height. I want you to loosen all the bolts in all the control arms that rotate. The best case scenario would be the technician drives the car around the shop parking lot slowly and then onto the alignment ramp rails to tighten all of them with the weight of the car still on the wheels. Will you do this?

2. When you do my alignment I expect it to be precise. I want the front cambers to both be -1.25. I want the toe to be dead on 0. In the rear I want the camber to be exactly half of the front camber or as close to half as possible with the toe at 0. I love my Camaro and would really like to watch the procedure. Can you do this?

What we want to accomplish is to maximise the benefits of your lowering coils. To do that the rubber bushes MUST BE TIMED or you will have an uneven suspension response with more spring rate in one motion and less in the reverse motion. The Rubber bushes in your suspension TWIST. They do NOT rotate. Getting this step right is Mission Critical.

These alignment specs will bring your car into a better balance. There will be less understeer. Your steering response will feel sharper. If they allow you to observe you found a great shop because they understand enthusiasts. You may have to make a number of call, but you will find the right shop and it may just be your local Chevy Dealer.

[JProberts]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

ANY alignment shop that will answer yes to these question will be a good shop to take your lowered Camaro.

1. I just put lowering coils on my car. I need to have my rubber bushes timed to the new ride height. I want you to loosen all the bolts in all the control arms that rotate. The best case scenario would be the technician drives the car around the shop parking lot slowly and then onto the alignment ramp rails to tighten all of them with the weight of the car still on the wheels. Will you do this?

2. When you do my alignment I expect it to be precise. I want the front cambers to both be -1.25. I want the toe to be dead on 0. In the rear I want the camber to be exactly half of the front camber or as close to half as possible with the toe at 0. I love my Camaro and would really like to watch the procedure. Can you do this?

What we want to accomplish is to maximise the benefits of your lowering coils. To do that the rubber bushes MUST BE TIMED or you will have an uneven suspension response with more spring rate in one motion and less in the reverse motion. The Rubber bushes in your suspension TWIST. They do NOT rotate. Getting this step right is Mission Critical.

These alignment specs will bring your car into a better balance. There will be less understeer. Your steering response will feel sharper. If they allow you to observe you found a great shop because they understand enthusiasts. You may have to make a number of call, but you will find the right shop and it may just be your local Chevy Dealer.

And if the service advisors eyes glaze over I should leave that facility pronto correct? Is everything you mentioned above common knowledge for alignment techs? Is timing the rubber bushes something that is always needed on alignments? Should I expect my GM dealership or suspension shop to know this or do I need to tell them what to? Thanks

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by JProberts

And if the service advisors eyes glaze over I should leave that facility pronto correct? Is everything you mentioned above common knowledge for alignment techs? Is timing the rubber bushes something that is always needed on alignments? Should I expect my GM dealership or suspension shop to know this or do I need to tell them what to? Thanks

Is everything you mentioned above common knowledge for alignment techs? Yes and no. Most shops know or knew this stuff, but for speed operate in the green range. OE specifications show up on the machine as the green range with tolerances as large as a full degree. That can have a car 'in spec' with the right wheel at 0 Camber and the left wheel at -1 When the shop is used to doing just enough to be 'within spec' they are generally not an enthusiast's shop of choice.

Is timing the rubber bushes something that is always needed on alignments? No. Timing the bushes is ONLY required when the ride height is changed.

Should I expect my GM dealership or suspension shop to know this or do I need to tell them what to? In my years in business effective communication or lack there of is the most common component in the failure or success of a task. Tell them what you want and ask them if they are willing to do it. Be prepared to pay for the service. A $49.99 alignment does not allow for the technician to do everything we are asking them to do. We are talking about two hour or so of shop time. If the car fights back it could be three. If the care loves you it could be 90 minutes. Make sure the shop knows you are willing to work with them if they work with you. Partnerships are the best way to get a good result.

You can use this link to find a Pedders Dealer near you. They will work with you even if your parts an not Pedders.

[Rockin the BlueSS]

are "bushes" different than bushings? just wondering if this was a typo or phrasing i am not aware of... or something completely different.

[JusticePete]

We are an Australian company by lineage. Bush or bushes in AU are the same as bushing or bushings in the USA. We also use bound and rebound. When working with engineers from the USA and around the globe the terms are interesting.

[Camaro427]

In Aussie land, they use hedge clippers on bushings.

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by Camaro427

In Aussie land, they use hedge clippers on bushings.

[Rockin the BlueSS]

ok i get it! Throw another shrimp on the barbie! sorry for the cliche but i had to do it...