Springs

[Gdyup50]

So I called the performance shop in my area that works pretty much specifically on Mustangs, and asked them about installing my new springs. They quoted me $100 less than the other shops, but they don't have an alignment setup. So I asked and the guyntold me when they take the stuff off they mark it so they can put it back on exactly where they removed it so an alignment isn't really necessary. Does this sound right? He did say that depending on how low I'm going it would change the camber which would cause the tires to wear on the insides more. Obviously I don't know anything about this, thanks for any info

Sponsored

 

[Excelerater]

You will need an alignment if you add drop springs...They are full of crap IMO

 

[cognizantphotos]

You will need an alignment if you add drop springs...They are full of crap IMO

+1

 

[Martman GT]

If the other shops quote includes the alignment, then go with them. It'd probably cost you more than the $100 for a 4 wheel alignment.

 

[Old 5 Oh]

They will be close on castor and toe, but camber will be too negative. You need an alignment, and you may need camber/castor plates to get it right.

 

[Roh92cp]

The S550 has no stock camber or caster adjustment at all only toe for the front end. If you drop the front an inch or more you should bring the camber back in line so you don't get accessive inner wheel wear, so camber caster plates are required here. The rear however has some camber adjustment and toe. Make sure you get this done before paying for an expensive wheel alignment because it's likely they will take your money and adjust nothing since the toe settings may be within spec even after lowering.

 

[Old 5 Oh]

The S550 has no stock camber or caster adjustment at all only toe for the front end. If you drop the front an inch or more you should bring the camber back in line so you don't get accessive inner wheel wear, so camber caster plates are required here. The rear however has some camber adjustment and toe. Make sure you get this done before paying for an expensive wheel alignment because it's likely they will take your money and adjust nothing since the toe settings may be within spec even after lowering.

I am stunned at the number of guys who have installed springs with no mention of this subject. It's always been nearly essential on Foxes, and so easily solved with CC plates. The S550 has plenty of castor from the factory, but the old Foxes had barely 1 degree. Cranking them up to 3 or 4 degrees really helped. But the camber adjustment is critical. If you drive your street car with 1-2 degrees of negative camber, you are going to grind off the inside edge of the front tires. At 1/2 to 3/4 degree, you get nice, flat wear across the tire. Sweet, especially when buying $300 PS3 tires.

 

[Roh92cp]

I am stunned at the number of guys who have installed springs with no mention of this subject. It's always been nearly essential on Foxes, and so easily solved with CC plates. The S550 has plenty of castor from the factory, but the old Foxes had barely 1 degree. Cranking them up to 3 or 4 degrees really helped. But the camber adjustment is critical. If you drive your street car with 1-2 degrees of negative camber, you are going to grind off the inside edge of the front tires. At 1/2 to 3/4 degree, you get nice, flat wear across the tire. Sweet, especially when buying $300 PS3 tires.

Yup I was really suprised as well. It took a lot of searching to find this out. I think the aligment is being glossed over by the big distributor out there selling springs and doing instal videos. If they had to say you needed caster camber plates and an aligment to correct neg camber issue and tore wear they may not sell as many kits.

 

[daltron]

Wow, this is really an informative thread. I was on the fence on buying lowering springs but I was just factoring in mat+labor, didn't even know I would need additional hardware for proper alignment!

 

[Gdyup50]

Any help with good cc players to buy?

 

[StangMan04]

I have read of people having their car getting into spec alignment wise without them, but haven't seen many lowered in person.

 

[Roh92cp]

There are a couple different offerings out there. Maximum Motorsport was my choice, but Steeda and JMS also makes them. Also there is a camber bolts kit that will allow for some camber adjustment by effectively allowing the strut to tilt in the spindle.

 

[Laztug]

Camber bolts did the job for mine, no abnormal wear here.

 

[Roh92cp]

I have read of people having their car getting into spec alignment wise without them, but haven't seen many lowered in person.

There may be a couple reasons why they say this. Some springs have less drop and therefore less negative camber affect. Some may also be on the fringe of the allowable, but still not optimal for tire wear. And lastly I suspect that since there is no stock camber adjustment available the tech doing the aligned just accepts that it is what it is and calls it good.

 

[Roh92cp]

Camber bolts did the job for mine, no abnormal wear here.

Yup camber bolts are an inexpensive alternative and are easy to install. My only grip with them are they do not allow the clamping force required under extreme conditions to hold the camber adjustment in place. The camber bolt is undersized purposely so it has some room for the offset portion on it to do its work. Since the bolt is undersized it can't be torqued more than 129 ft lbs and the required torque for the strut bolts is 185 ft lbs with a much larger size bolt which creates more claiming force. I think in many street application it will work fine without issue.

Sponsored