Took my car today to get an alignment done and the shop asked me if my car is lowered more than 2 inches. I said yes. Then he said they can't do anything to the alignment and that I need a camber kit all the way around. I asked what about the toe and caster and he was like that doesn't affect anything. He said my camber is the more important thing to correct cause I'm lowered. Does this sound right?

And to be honest I don't know if I'm even past 2 inches drop. I raised my coilovers a bit and now I'm sitting a little bit above the tires all the way around. How low a drop is that?

 

Sounds like you need to head to a different shop.

Find a place that accualy know what they are talking about. My car is lowered more then two inches and i dont even need a camber kit. But different cars need different things.

Finda another shop and see what they say.

 

If your car is lowered 2" you will probably have excess negative camber - however, this should not stop them from setting toe (which, if sufficiently off, can cause very rapid tire wear).

Try a shop where they have a clue.

 

Yeah thats what I'll probably end up doing. Its funny cause he was telling me he didn't want to take my money if he can't do anything for me.

Did you notice any difference in handling or acceleration when you had the alignment done?

 

You may need a kit, it depends how low you actually are and what car...but the others can be set regardless. I agree, try another shop.

 

Acceleration? No.

However, if you have been yanking on the suspension, get an alignment. I had mine aligned afer installing new springs and shocks and my initial settings were all over the place (and I know they were correct before the suspension work because I had it aligned a few weeks previously).

Messed up toe settings can eat your tires very quickly.


[Modified by norice, 5:03 PM 4/17/2002]

 

Yes I have been messing with the suspension alot in the past month. 2 new axles, new shocks, new springs.

How can I tell how really low I am? I don't really know if I'm at or past 2 inches. My fenders are sitting just a tad above the tires.

 

Just find another shop.

Yes camber will eventually wear out the insides quicker, but not as bad as most would think. Bad toe is what kills ya. The shop just doesn't want to muck around with getting your lowered car up on their rack.

They know damn well that they can still straighten out your toe. If you're in Houston, I recommend Southwest Alignment.

 

the newer laser guided alignment computers won't work if your car is too low b/c the front bumper cover blocks the lasers "view" of eachother... it's like there is an invisible linethat goes between the things they put on the wheels. I had to take off my front bumper cover to do my alignment. If your car is lowered 2", or even close, it's a good idea to get camber kits. Get two for the front... you can do some camber changes on the back with washers..... if you want to go that route. camber, caster, and toe are ALL important, so be sure to go to a shop that will do a good job and provide you with a printout of your alignment specs. It's alsoa very good idea to sit in the driver's seat while it is being aligned. You just have to be patient and not move a lot or the mechanic might start to get pissed @ ya. Good luck