Lowering Springs, what additional things do I need to change with the lowering springs

[PaviSingh]

I’m getting my s550 put on lowering springs and needed to know what else is supposed to get done with that. A shop I called said the bare minimum is camber bolts, but he suggested that if it was him he would do the upper strut mount as well. He also said with there new technology there is no need to wait 2 weeks for alignment and they do it immediately through the springs somehow. What do you suggest I get done with the lowering springs?

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[LethalSteveG]

Camber bolts do help with getting enough on the front end aligment. If you are just worried about that and not really pushing the car (turns style driving) this is perfect. This will also depend on which spring and style you went or going with.

if you plan on doing any spirited driving, road racing, corner carbing, or want an exact setting, that is when I recommend Camber plates. I run the STEEDA ones on mine with the progressive springs and I have had no issues for over a year. But I set this car up for road racing or roads like the tail.

Any of the brands will do the job nicely though. Here is our complete S550 list of plates and bolts.

Cheers!
https://www.lethalperformance.com/s...rd-mustang-gt/suspension/caster-camber-plates

 

[EFI]

At a minimum better dampers to match the new drop and spring rate and camber plates.

You still should be getting an alignment in person regardless of what they say.

 

[PaviSingh]

Camber bolts do help with getting enough on the front end aligment. If you are just worried about that and not really pushing the car (turns style driving) this is perfect. This will also depend on which spring and style you went or going with.

if you plan on doing any spirited driving, road racing, corner carbing, or want an exact setting, that is when I recommend Camber plates. I run the STEEDA ones on mine with the progressive springs and I have had no issues for over a year. But I set this car up for road racing or roads like the tail.

Any of the brands will do the job nicely though. Here is our complete S550 list of plates and bolts.

Cheers!
https://www.lethalperformance.com/s...rd-mustang-gt/suspension/caster-camber-plates

What will the upper strut mount do and do you recommend I go that route?

 

[PaviSingh]

At a minimum better dampers to match the new drop and spring rate and camber plates.

You still should be getting an alignment in person regardless of what they say.

What more important the upper strut mount or the dampers? What does each of these help with?

 

[LethalSteveG]

What will the upper strut mount do and do you recommend I go that route?

The Upper strut mount meaning the camber plate will replace the stock rubber and allow camber adjustment when the vehicle is being aligned.

 

[PaviSingh]

The Upper strut mount meaning the camber plate will replace the stock rubber and allow camber adjustment when the vehicle is being aligned.

Are dampers also required?

 

[StangTime]

Are dampers also required?

Your car already has "dampers". Dampers are the rear tubes that control the up-down suspension movement. Commonly known as "shocks".
Struts are on the front and the Mustangs have a what's called a MacPherson type.

You could get away with using the OEM struts and strut mounts, and OEM dampers with your lowering springs for now. BUT... if you plan on dropping the car more than 1/2", you're going to be changing them in the future as they will not last too long with the reduced suspension travel. I'm guessing by your questions you won't be taking it to the track.

 

[PaviSingh]

I plan on going 1 and half inch. So you think the best route is me getting the dampers and camber plate done? I don’t want to have to pay for labor more than once. Also what dampers and lowering springs do you suggest for this 1 and half inch drop?

 

[StangTime]

I plan on going 1 and half inch. So you think the best route is me getting the dampers and camber plate done? I don’t want to have to pay for labor more than once. Also what dampers and lowering springs do you suggest for this 1 and half inch drop?

Going that low, you will need bump-steer correction and I would get the camber plates so you can adjust your camber correctly.

Good struts/dampers: Ford Performance Track versions. I hear Bilstein's are also great.

Do some reading in the suspension forum. Lot's of good info there that you should read so you can make an informed decision.

 

[PaviSingh]

How much you think everything is gonna run me? I thought lowering springs were supposed to be a cheap route? Now I need bump steer correction as well

 

[KingKona]

You're dropping the car too low.

It's going to cost a lot more money, and ruin the ride & handling of the car if not done correctly. You'll also be dragging the splitter on all sorts of things you don't now.

For comparison, Ford Performance lowering springs only drop the car 0.787402 inches.

Regardless, you need to do shocks & struts, as the OEM units aren't meant for a lowered ride height.

Go to AmericanMuscle.com and get a complete lowering kit, so you're not screwing around forever to get things done correctly.

 

[WItoTX]

Since you are new to the site, the search bar will answer all your questions, or you can start looking in the suspension page. Lots of great information on there beyond just lowering your car.

Good luck!

 

[luc]

I’m getting my s550 put on lowering springs and needed to know what else is supposed to get done with that. A shop I called said the bare minimum is camber bolts, but he suggested that if it was him he would do the upper strut mount as well. He also said with there new technology there is no need to wait 2 weeks for alignment and they do it immediately through the springs somehow. What do you suggest I get done with the lowering springs?

Lowering will increase negative camber but, depending on how much you lower the car, not to a point that it’s an issue. -1 to -1.5 is totally fine for the street
Negative camber promote handling and it’s not reasonable camber that wears tires but rather toe

 

[shogun32]

I plan on going 1 and half inch. So you think the best route is me getting the dampers and camber plate done?

that much drop you really should get the Steeda bump-steer kit and the 'extended ball joint' lateral links to get the steering geometry back. Unless it's pure street driven, camber plates are highly recommended.
The stock Ford dampers (front+rear) are pretty bad, so if you're going to tear your suspension apart you might as well put some decent stuff on there at the same time. Bilstein BP8 series or Ford Performance *TRACK* dampers.

definitely spend the next 3 days reading the suspension section threads.

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